{{short description|English actor (1908–1967)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Use British English|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox person | name = Jerry Desmonde | image = File:lordhector.jpg | alt = | caption = Desmonde (right) in ''A Stitch in Time'' (1963) | birth_name = James Robert Sadler | birth_date = {{birth date|1908|07|20|df=y}} | birth_place = Middlesbrough, England | death_date = {{death date and age|1967|02|11|1908|07|20|df=y}} | death_place = London, England | resting_place = Golders Green Crematorium<br />London, England | other_names = Jerry Desmond<ref name="iMDB">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221491/ |title=Jerry Desmonde |work=Internet Movie Database |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920222825/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0221491/ |archive-date=20 September 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> | occupation = Actor, presenter | spouse = {{marriage |Peggy Duncan |1930 |1966 |end=death}} | children = 2 | years_active = 1946–1966 }}
'''Jerry Desmonde''' (born '''James Robert Sadler'''; 20 July 1908 – 11 February 1967) was an English actor and presenter. He is perhaps best known for his work as a comedic foil in duos with Norman Wisdom and Sid Field.
== Early life == Jerry Desmonde was born James Robert Sadler in the Linthorpe area of Middlesbrough on 20 July 1908, the son of music hall performers who toured the halls throughout England and Scotland.<ref name="alanMyers">{{cite web|url=http://www.sclews.me.uk/desmonde.htm |title=Jerry Desmonde (1908-1967) |work=Famous People: The North-East |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026015430/http://www.sclews.me.uk/desmonde.htm |archive-date=26 October 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref>
==Career== Sadler first appeared on stage at the age of 11 and later became part of his family's act ''The Four Sadlers''.<ref name="NEHistory">{{cite web|first=Keith |last=Proud |url=http://www2.newsquest.co.uk/the_north_east/history/echomemories/teesside/406/081106.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927033546/http://www2.newsquest.co.uk/the_north_east/history/echomemories/teesside/406/081106.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-27 |title=North East History |work=The Northern Echo }}</ref> He built a career as a song and dance man in musical theatre and later toured parts of the United States in 1927-1928 with Beatrice Lillie and Noël Coward in the two-act revue ''This Year of Grace''.<ref name="NEHistory"/><ref name="iBDB">{{cite web |url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?id=10767 |title=This Year of Grace |work=Internet Broadway Database |access-date=25 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070317035730/http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=10767 |archive-date=17 March 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> By 1934, he had married Peggy Duncan and they toured as a double act called ''Peg and Jerry'', largely in Scotland.<ref name="NEHistory"/>
In the 1940s, Desmonde was briefly a straight man for Scottish comedian Dave Willis and in 1942 he was invited to be straight man for stage comedian Sid Field becoming one of the most celebrated comedy teams ever to appear on stage.<ref name="alanMyers"/><ref name="NEHistory"/> They appeared together on stage in three very successful revues, ''Strike a New Note'' (1943),<ref name="sannWhirligig">{{cite web |first=Sandra |last=Sudley |url=http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/other/lunchbox.htm |title=Lunchbox |work=Whirligig |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012094109/http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/other/lunchbox.htm |archive-date=12 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Strike it Again'' (1944)<ref name="IndObitHuby">{{cite web |last=Benedick |first=Adam |title=Obituary: Roberta Huby |work=The Independent |accessdate=3 July 2011 |date=19 November 1995 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-roberta-huby-1584200.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111162332/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-roberta-huby-1584200.html |archive-date=11 November 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Piccadilly Hayride'' (1946)<ref name="RobWilton">{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Wilton |url=http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/12pers/pers1.htm |title=Personality |work=Theatricalia |access-date=14 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208173837/http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/12pers/pers1.htm |archive-date=8 February 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London and in two films, ''London Town'' (1946),<ref name="londonTownBritmovie">{{cite web|first=Roger |last=Mellor |url=http://www.britmovie.co.uk/genres/musical/filmography/001.html |title=London Town - 1946 |work=Britmovie.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404075445/http://www.britmovie.co.uk/genres/musical/filmography/001.html |archive-date=4 April 2007 }}</ref> an infamous flop, and in ''Cardboard Cavalier'' (1949).<ref name="iMDB"/>
The two men next worked together on a stage play, ''Harvey'' at the Prince of Wales Theatre, from which Desmonde was ultimately sacked.<ref name="NEHistory"/> In 1950 a few months later, during the play's run Field died of a heart attack.
In 1949 Desmonde appeared on television as a presenter in ''Rooftop Rendezvous''.<ref name="roofBFI">{{cite web |url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/573352 |title=Rooftop Rendezvous |publisher=British Film Institute |access-date=5 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208153842/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/573352 |archive-date=8 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was a regular panelist and occasional guest host on the original UK version of the television panel game ''What's My Line?'' (1951–1962),<ref name="alanMyers"/><ref name="wml">{{cite web |first=Gerry |last=George |url=http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/quiz/whatsmyline.htm |title=What's My Line? |work=Jerry George's Memories, 1950s British Television Nostalgia, Whirligig |access-date=25 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114142309/http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/adults/quiz/whatsmyline.htm |archive-date=14 January 2007 |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/What's_My_Line%3F |title=What's My Line? |work=UKGameShows.com |access-date=13 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122071519/http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/What%27s_My_Line%3F |archive-date=22 January 2010 |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.andmas.co.uk/television/television_2.htm |title=The Box |work=Greasy Spoon Cafe |access-date=15 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807205438/http://www.andmas.co.uk/television/television_2.htm |archive-date=7 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and appeared in several TV comedies ''Holiday Camp'' (1951) with Arthur Askey,<ref name="hc">{{cite web |url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/823092 |title=Holiday Camp |publisher=British Film Institute |access-date=5 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206191600/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/823092 |archive-date=6 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''A Flight of Fancy'' (1952) with Jimmy Young, then a singer working as a comedian, ''Spectacular'' (1960)<ref name="iMDB"/> ''Before Your Very Eyes'' (1956–58) with Arthur Askey,<ref name="byveBFI">{{cite web |first=Matthew |last=Coniam |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1192259/index.html |title=Before Your Very Eyes (1956-1958) |work=screenonline |publisher=BFI |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070817205146/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1192259/index.html |archive-date=17 August 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref>
He appeared in ''Whack-O!'' (1960)<ref name="iMDB"/> and ''Bud'' in 1963 a sitcom with Bud Flanagan and other members of The Crazy Gang.<ref name="bbcComedyGuide">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/d/desmonde_jerry.shtml |title=Jerry Desmonde |work=The bbc.co.uk Guide to Comedy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125113351/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/d/desmonde_jerry.shtml |archive-date=25 November 2006 }}</ref> He also appeared in ''The Dickie Henderson Show'' (1963)<ref name="iMDB"/> and episodes of the ITV television series ''A Question of Happiness'' (1964),<ref name="jacqPearce">{{cite web|url=http://www.jacquelinepearce.com/aquestionofhappinessfred.html |title=Jacqueline Pearce |work=jacquelinepearce.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012170816/http://www.jacquelinepearce.com/aquestionofhappinessfred.html |archive-date=12 October 2007 }}</ref> ''The Plane Makers'' (1964),<ref name="TPM">{{cite web |url=http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/411557?view=cast |title=The Plane Makers |publisher=British Film Institute |access-date=5 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130061804/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/title/411557?view=cast |archive-date=30 January 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''The Villains'' (1965), ''No Hiding Place'' (1965), ''The Mask of Janus'' (1965),<ref name="janus">{{cite web |url=http://www.startrader.co.uk/Action%20TV/guide60s/maskjanus.htm |title=The Mask of Janus |work=Action TV online |access-date=8 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807164638/http://www.startrader.co.uk/Action%20TV/guide60s/maskjanus.htm |archive-date=7 August 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Valliant Varneys'' (1965), ''Pardon the Expression'' (1966)<ref name="iMDB"/> and ''Vendetta'' (1966).<ref name="iMDB"/>
As a game show host he hosted ATV's ''Hit The Limit'' (1956)<ref name="ukGameShowsHitTheLimit">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Hit_the_Limit |title=Hit the Limit |work=UKGameShows.com |access-date=13 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130032734/http://ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Hit_the_Limit |archive-date=30 November 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''The 64,000 Question'' (1956)<ref name="ukGameShows64000">{{cite web |url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/The_64,000_Dollar_Question |title=The 64,000 Dollar Question |work=UKGameShows.com |access-date=13 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113153902/http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/The_64,000_Dollar_Question |archive-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> television game shows and in October 1956 Jerry appeared on the front cover of ''TV Times'' magazine.<ref name="aolTVTimes">{{cite web |url=http://journals.aol.co.uk/telemagman/TVTimes/ |title=TV Times |work=AOL}}{{Dead link |date=September 2013}}</ref>
On radio he appeared with Bob Hope on ''The Bob Hope Show'' (1951) and (1954)<ref name="bhrs">{{cite web |url=http://www.yourradioshows.com/bobhope.htm |title=Bob Hope |work=YourRadioShows.Com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019000422/http://yourradioshows.com/bobhope.htm |archive-date=19 October 2007 }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.originaloldradio.com/marilyn_maxwell_collection.html |title=The Marilyn Maxwell Collection |work=Radio of Yesteryear |access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526012621/http://www.originaloldradio.com/marilyn_maxwell_collection.html |archive-date=26 May 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="jerryHaendiges">{{cite web |url=http://www.otrsite.com/logs/logb1009.htm |title=The Bob Hope Show .. episodic log |work=Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs |access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205174853/http://www.otrsite.com/logs/logb1009.htm |archive-date=5 December 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> the CBS radio play ''The Incredible History of John Shepherd'' (1954),<ref name="radioArchives">{{cite web |url=http://www.radioarchives.org/sets/PC19.htm |title=Premier Collections: Crime Classics |work=Radio Archives |access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911032744/http://www.radioarchives.org/sets/PC19.htm |archive-date=11 September 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> and occasionally presented ''Housewives' Choice''<ref name="alanMyers"/><ref name="UKgameshows"/> on the BBC's Light Programme.
Desmonde continued to appear on the London stage in ''Where's Charley?'' (1958),<ref name="robWiltonMusicals50s">{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Wilton |url=http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/09mus/mus50.htm |title=Musicals 1950s |work=Theatricalia |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027163419/http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/09mus/mus50.htm |archive-date=27 October 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> a theatre musical production of the play ''Charley's Aunt'' with (Sir) Norman Wisdom, and in the short-lived ''Belle'' (1961)<ref name="belle">{{cite web |first=Rob |last=Wilton |url=http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/09mus/mus60.htm |title=Musicals 1960s |work=Theatricalia |access-date=14 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027070202/http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/09mus/mus60.htm |archive-date=27 October 2007 |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.musicalheaven.com/Detailed/676.html |title=Belle |work=Musical Heaven |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103040754/http://www.musicalheaven.com/Detailed/676.html |archive-date=3 January 2007 |df=dmy-all }}; {{cite web |url=http://www.musical-theatre.net/html/recordcabinet/murder.html |title=Murder Mystery and Mayhem: Belle |work=British Musical Theatre |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918211209/http://www.musical-theatre.net/html/recordcabinet/murder.html |archive-date=18 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}; {{cite web |url=http://castalbums.org/recordings/Belle-1961-Original-London-Cast/3085 |title=Belle |work=CastAlbums.org |access-date=25 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927195011/http://castalbums.org/recordings/Belle-1961-Original-London-Cast/3085 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> alternatively titled ''The Ballad of Dr Crippen'' a music hall musical with George Benson and Rose Hill.
Desmonde was in numerous movies from 1946 to 1965 including several comedies with Norman Wisdom, and starred in several others.<ref name="iMDB"/> The Wisdom films usually involved the gump character (Wisdom) in a junior position to a "straight man" superior, often played by Edward Chapman, and fighting against the unfairness wrought by some "authority figure", often played by Jerry Desmonde.<ref name="SteveCrook">{{cite web|first=Steve |last=Crook |url=http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/british-films-chat/11158-norman-wisdom.html |title=British Films and Chat |work=Britmovie Forum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122051939/http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/british-films-chat/11158-norman-wisdom.html |archive-date=22 January 2008 }}</ref>
== Personal life == Desmonde was married to actress Peggy Duncan (born Peggy Doreen Edwards) from 1930 until her death in 1966.<ref name="NEHistory"/> They had a daughter named Jacqueline and a son named Gerald.<ref name="iMDB"/> After World War II, the family settled in London and Jacqueline later married musician Peter Howes, who was the son of actor Bobby Howes and brother of actress Sally Ann Howes.<ref name="iMDB"/>
== Death == On 11 February 1967, having experienced bouts of depression following the death of his wife the previous year, Desmonde took his own life via gas poisoning at his home in the St John's Wood area of London; he was 58 years old.<ref name="UKgameshows">{{cite web |title=Jerry Desmonde |work=UKGameshows |accessdate=4 July 2011 |url=http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Jerry_Desmonde |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703115432/http://ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Jerry_Desmonde |archive-date=3 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> He left an estate valued at £1,388 (approximately £32,232 in 2023).<ref>"SADLER James Robert Jill or DESMONDE Jerry of 98 Eamont Court St John's Wood London died 10 February 1967" in ''Wills and Administrations 1967 (England and Wales)'' (1968), p. 5</ref> He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium.
== Stage credits == * ''Belle'' at the Strand Theatre, London (1961)<ref name="belle"/><ref name="UoK:BELLED">{{cite web |title=Theatre collections: record view |work=University of Kent |accessdate=8 July 2012 |url=http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/theatre/r.php/36023/show.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927205808/http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/theatre/r.php/36023/show.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Where's Charley?'' as Sir Francis Chesney at the Palace Theatre, London (1958)<ref name="robWiltonMusicals50s"/> * ''The Royal Variety Show'' (1957)<ref name="royVarShow">{{cite web|url=http://www.btinternet.com/~judyin.london/judyil8.htm |title=Judy Garland At The London Palladium |work=Judy in London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610134723/http://www.btinternet.com/~judyin.london/judyil8.htm |archive-date=10 June 2007 |url-status=dead |df= }}</ref> * ''The Gay Musical Show'' at the London Palladium and then the Prince of Wales Theatre with Norman Wisdom (19??)<ref name="vaudPostcards">{{cite web|url=http://www.vaudeville-postcards.com/postcards4.html |title=Publicity Postcards Full Colour |work=Vaudeville Postcards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822020626/http://vaudeville-postcards.com/postcards4.html |archive-date=22 August 2007 }}</ref> * ''Painting the Town'' a revue with Norman Wisdom at the London Palladium (1955)<ref name="GMT:PTT">{{cite web |title=Painting the Town |work=The Guide to Musical Theatre |accessdate=30 October 2011 |url=http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_p/paitingtown.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519181242/http://guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_p/paitingtown.htm |archive-date=19 May 2011 |url-status=live }}; {{cite web |title=Theatre collections: record view |work=University of Kent |accessdate=8 July 2012 |url=http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/theatre/r.php/35352/show.html }}</ref> * ''Red-Headed Blonde'' a farcical comedy at the Vaudeville Theatre, London (1952)<ref name="robWiltonMags50s">{{cite web|first=Rob |last=Wilton |url=http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/14mags/thw50s.htm |title=Theatre World Magazines 1950s |work=Theatricalia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517222919/http://www.phyllis.demon.co.uk/theatricalia/14mags/thw50s.htm |archive-date=17 May 2006 }}</ref> * ''Out of this World'' at the London Palladium starring Frankie Howerd (1948)<ref name="vaudPostcards"/> * ''Piccadilly Hayride'' at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London (1946)<ref name="RobWilton"/><ref name="UoK:PHD">{{cite web |title=All collections search: record view |work=University of Kent |accessdate=8 July 2012 |url=http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/all/r.php/35543/show.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927205804/http://www.kent.ac.uk/library/specialcollections/all/r.php/35543/show.html |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> * ''Strike it Again'' at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London (1944)<ref name="IndObitHuby"/> * ''Strike a New Note'' at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London (1943)<ref name="sannWhirligig"/> * ''This Year of Grace'' on a United States tour then at the Selwyn Theatre, New York (1928) (credited as Jim Sadler).<ref name="NEHistory"/><ref name="iBDB"/>
== Filmography == * ''The Early Bird'' (1965), as Mr Walter Hunter, managing director of Consolidated Dairies * ''Gonks Go Beat'' (1965), as Great Galaxian, with Kenneth Connor * ''The Beauty Jungle'' (1964) USA: ''Contest Girl'' (1966), as "Rose of England" contest organizer * ''Stolen Hours'' (1963) USA: ''Summer Flight'', as a Colonel * ''The Switch'' (1963), as Customs Chief * ''A Stitch in Time'' (1963), as Sir Hector Hardcastle, with Norman Wisdom * ''A Kind of Loving'' (1962), as a TV Compere * ''Carry On Regardless'' (1961), as Martin Paul * ''Follow a Star'' (1959), as Vernon Carew, with Norman Wisdom * ''Just My Luck'' (1957), as a Goodwood racegoer (uncredited), with Norman Wisdom * ''A King in New York'' (1957), as Prime Minister Voudel, with Charlie Chaplin * ''Up in the World'' (1956), as Major Willoughby, with Norman Wisdom * ''Ramsbottom Rides Again'' (1956), as red Indian Blue Eagle in a comedy western with Arthur Askey * ''The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp'' (1956), as Parker * ''Man of the Moment'' (1955), as foreign office minister Jackson, with Norman Wisdom * ''The Malta Story'' (1953), as a general (uncredited) * ''Trouble in Store'' (1953), as store chief Augustus Freeman, with Norman Wisdom * ''Alf's Baby'' (1953) USA: ''Her Three Bachelors'' (1954), as Alf Donkin * ''The Perfect Woman'' (1949), as Raymond a dress shop manager * ''Cardboard Cavalier'' (1949), as Colonel Lovelace, with Sid Field * ''London Town'' (1946) USA: ''My Heart Goes Crazy'' (1953), as George a golfing instructor, with Sid Field.
== References ==
{{Reflist|33em}}
== External links ==
* Biography: [https://web.archive.org/web/20101026015430/http://www.sclews.me.uk/desmonde.htm The Alan Myers Project], [http://www.ukgameshows.com/ukgs/Jerry_Desmonde UKGameShows] * Film databases: {{IMDb name|0221491}} and [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/jerry_desmonde/ Rotten Tomatoes].
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Desmonde, Jerry}} Category:1908 births Category:1967 deaths Category:English male musical theatre actors Category:English male stage actors Category:British music hall performers Category:English game show hosts Category:Male actors from Middlesbrough Category:Suicides in Westminster Category:English male film actors Category:English male television actors Category:20th-century English male actors Category:20th-century English male singers Category:20th-century English singers Category:20th-century English comedians Category:1967 suicides Category:Suicides by gas