Colin Farrell:
Spare a thought for British character actor Colin Farrell, now condemned to be referred to as Colin Farrell (II) in deference to the Irish-born Hollywood 'throb of the same name - who presumably never tried to join Equity.
Our chap is the affable, boyish, slightly sneaky-looking Colin Farrell who showed up in some decent TV in the '70s and '80s; Alan Plater's 'Trinity Tales', 'Tales of the Unexpected', 'Sorry!', 'Blakes 7' and 'Hadleigh'. He was also a regular as the dirty-minded Ernie Hadfield in the undertaker comedy 'In Loving Memory' with Thora Hird, but perhaps his most memorable role was as the universally despised 'orrible Norris in 'Porridge'.
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| Full BBC costume department glory in 'Blakes 7' |
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| In the inevitable 'Midsomer Murders' |
He had a decent role as Harry Smith in the film version of 'Oh! What a Lovely War' (1969),but other movie appearances are pretty much all bit-parts: including fighting rubber dinosaurs with Doug* McClure in 'The Land that Time Forgot' (1975), 'A Bridge Too Far' (1977), and 'Gandhi' (1982).
I notice that in recent years he has been obliged to take billing as 'Col' Farrell, which seems a shame as almost everybody in the UK had laughed heartily at him digging up the pitch at Elland Road two years before the 'other' Colin Farrell was even born. Still, that's showbusiness.
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| About to sign up in 'Oh! What a Lovely War' (1969) |
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| Clerk of the Court in 'Gandhi' (1982) |
Colin Farrell (II) - imdb
a very underrated actor.
ReplyDeleteI have recently bought the DVD box set of "In Loving Memory" Great to watch Colin Farrell as the lovable rogue Ernie Hadfield. Today I watched Colin in the Series Two Porridge episode "Happy Release"as Norris. Planning to watch Colin this evening in the Midsomer Murders episode "Death In Disguise". Colin is a great actor and will always be the 1st Colin Farrell in my book.
ReplyDeleteWatching him right now..in loving memory...and porridge was on earlier when Norriss dug up Elland Road...brilliant!!
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ReplyDeleteAs I was saying before I hit the 'publish' key by mistake,this article displays another great shame in tv history.The lead actor in 'The Land that Time Forgot' was DOUG McClure. The far more famous TROY McClure was a character from 'The Simpsons',allegedly based on Doug's less than stellar career in his later years.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is a bit of subtle irony on the part of the writer..at least I hope so.
You're quite right, I've been drawn into the Simpsons universe by mistake. Will edit.
DeleteHe is a good actor and it's a shame that he has to go by Collin Farrell 2 or col.
DeleteHe played a good part in frost stealing jack's ( David Jason's ) identity
Played Tasty in Minder episode 'Around The Corner'.
ReplyDeleteHe's great in that. Tasty Tim's even dodgier than Arfur.
DeleteI just watched it,and he with Fred & Ted stitched ol' Arthur up for 3500 pounds,which wasn't easy to do. lol..
DeleteI am sure he was the lead in a comedy in the early 1980's where he ran a garage in the 1930's and also a dance band. Joss Ackland was in it. I can't find anything about this. Am I dreaming. Probably one series. I remember it had some nice vintage cars in it.
ReplyDeleteIs this Colin Farrell still alive? It doesn't say so on IMDb, so I'm curious of his status.
ReplyDeleteHe was in a Tv advert at Christmas - I think it was an Iceland one.
DeleteNo news is good news on iMDb, so I'm pretty sure he's still with us. His 'Porridge' legacy would probably ensure that major UK news sources will run an obituary.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great episode of 'Porridge' and he was great in it too. I always have a respect for actors who work for years without any fame. They're the real deal.
ReplyDeleteJust saw him in the Iceland five gold rings advert
ReplyDeleteAs he has a much longer acting career than the Irish chap,I'm surprised that the Irish chap is not known by another name,After all, Stewart Grainger had to change his name from James Stewart,his birth name because of the American Superstar be around first.
ReplyDeleteHe played trombone or trumpet in a jazz band around Brighton in the early 80s , my Dad was his drummer
ReplyDeleteWould it have been Guy Fenton or Panama jazz band ? Thanks Mike
DeleteAppeared in 2020, in Doctor Who, looks quite well.
ReplyDeleteGood actor.
ReplyDeleteWatching him in tales of the unexpected as I write
ReplyDeleteVery good actorx
ReplyDeleteHe had a very nice part in one of the later New Tricks episodes, where he played an antique dealer. Great character actor, there are many of them.
ReplyDeleteCarol
He's appeared a few times on Last of the summer wine as Cleggs cousin Aubrey.
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