John Cairney

John Cairney:

† Feb 16 1930 – Sep 7 2023

Dark, broodingly handsome Scots actor, largely associated with his memorable portrayals of the poet Robert Burns. His lasting association with Burns began in 1965 with Tom Wright's solo play "There Was A Man" at the Traverse, Edinburgh, and at the Arts Theatre, London. From Burns, he moved on to other solo pieces on William McGonagall, Robert Service and Robert Louis Stevenson.

In the full Rabbie Burns get-up.

Though his movie career began in the mid '50s, it appears that his TV heyday was probably the mid '60s to late '70s, after which he moved to New Zealand. His many television parts include other literary figures, like Branwell Bronte and Edgar Allan Poe, and other famous Scots, like Robert the Bruce. He has featured in programmes as varied as 'Dr. Finlay's Casebook', 'Secret Agent', 'The Avengers', 'Man In A Suitcase', 'Jackanory', 'The Persuaders', 'Elizabeth R', and 'Taggart'. He'd probably be better known if the BBC hadn't wiped his starring role in the 1966 Scottish drama series 'This Man Craig' in which he played an idealistic teacher. (Incidentally, his son in the programme was played by the young Brian Pettifer, saluted here earlier.) 

With Glenda Jackson in the acclaimed 1971 BBC series 'Elizabeth R'

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In 'Jason & The Argonauts' (1963), second from right, just
over Laurence Naismith's shoulder

Feature film appearances include 'Lucky Jim' (1957), the Titanic story 'A Night To Remember' (1958), 'Victim' (1961), 'Jason & The Argonauts' (1963), Cleopatra' (1963), and the Sherlock Holmes meets the Ripper movie 'Study In Terror' (1965).

In the low-budget British sci-fi adventure 'Spaceflight IC-1' (1965)

He made some TV movies in New Zealand during the '80s and '90s as well as writing a number of books on Burns and other great Scottish figures Robert L Stephenson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  

John Cairney-imdb

Brian Pettifer

Brian Pettifer: 

This mouse-faced Scottish actor, usually cast as downtrodden and put-upon - is probably best known for his TV work in 'Get Some In', 'Hamish Macbeth' and as the timid 'Andra' in 'Rab C Nesbitt'. He was also in 'If' (1968), 'O Lucky Man' (1973) and 'Britannia Hospital' (1981) playing a character called Biles in all three. You might also remember him in 'Timeslip' or struggling with a scouse accent in 'The Liver Birds' if you are over 40.

More recently, he was excellent playing the timid would-be magician Mr Honeyfeather in the BBC adaptation of 'Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell'.

 

Trivia point; His folk-rocker sister Linda is better known as Mrs Richard Thompson.

As Biles in 'If…' (1968)

Brian Pettifer - imdb profile