Brian Reece

{{Short description|English actor (1913–1962)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = | image = Actor_Brian_Reece.jpg | alt = | caption = Reece in ''A Case for PC 49'' (1951) | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1913|07|24|df=yes}} | birth_place = Wallasey, Cheshire, England | death_date = {{Death date and age|1962|04|12|1913|07|24|df=yes}} | death_place = London, England | nationality = | other_names = | occupation = | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = }}'''Brian Reece''' (24 July 1913 – 12 April 1962) was an English actor.<ref name=BFI>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9f89f1ed|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723010246/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9f89f1ed|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-23|title=Brian Reece|work=BFI}}</ref>

==Biography== Born in Wallasey, Cheshire, he starred as the eponymous policeman in the BBC radio series ''PC49''. His films include ''Orders Are Orders'' (1954), ''A Case for PC 49'' (1951), ''Geordie'' (1955) and ''Carry On Admiral'' (1957). On stage, he appeared in ''Bless The Bride'' (1947), ''Bet Your Life'' (1952) with Julie Wilson and Arthur Askey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a9b04c96fb2b4f499ef1f8c4acdacaf3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129152944/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/a9b04c96fb2b4f499ef1f8c4acdacaf3|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2014|title=Arthur Askey, Julie Wilson Brian Reece, and Sally Ann Howes in part of Act 1 of 4 BET YOUR LIFE'|date=6 May 1952 |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwidb/sections/audio/index.php?var=66583|title=BroadwayWorld.com - Bet Your Life [Original London Cast (1952)] [overview]|publisher=}}</ref><ref name=BFI /> He appeared twice as a castaway on the BBC Radio programme ''Desert Island Discs'', first on 24 July 1953.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009y6p8 |title=Desert Island Discs - Castaway : Brian Reece |work=BBC Online |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> and again on 17 April 1961.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p009y6p8 |title=Desert Island Discs - Castaway : Brian Reece |work=BBC Online |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref>

In 1955 he appeared at Aldwych Theatre in the farce ''Man Alive!'' by John Dighton.

[[File:St Anne, Kew Cushions (72) - geograph.org.uk - 4539109.jpg|thumb|Pew cushion in St Anne's Church, Kew dedicated to Brian Reece, showing the distinctive helmet he wore when playing PC 49. The dates are incorrect.]] Reece lived from 1948 until 1953 at No. 59 Strand-on-the-Green, in West London. He sometimes worshipped at St Anne's Church, Kew and there is a pew cushion in the church dedicated to him, although it shows his dates incorrectly.<ref>{{cite web|title=Who Was Who at Strand-on-the-Green|url=http://www.chiswickw4.com/default.asp?section=info&page=conhistory02.htm|publisher=ChiswickW4.com|access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>

Reece died in London, aged 48.<ref name=BFI />

==Selected filmography== * ''A Case for PC 49'' (1951)

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{IMDb name|nm0715235}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reece, Brian}} Category:1913 births Category:1962 deaths Category:BBC people Category:Male actors from Wallasey