# Jimmy Thompson (actor) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jimmy_Thompson_(actor) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jimmy_Thompson_(actor).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Thompson_(actor) > Source revision: 1341791943 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **James Edward Thompson** (30 October 1925 – 21 April 2005) was an English actor, writer and director. ## Biography He was born 30 October 1925 in [Halifax](/source/Halifax,_West_Yorkshire), [West Riding of Yorkshire](/source/West_Riding_of_Yorkshire) and educated at [St. Peter's School](/source/St_Peter's_School,_York) in [York](/source/York). As a young man he began his career in [repertory](/source/Repertory) theatre in [Yorkshire](/source/Yorkshire) and he toured with a theatrical company headed by [Jean Forbes-Robertson](/source/Jean_Forbes-Robertson).[1] After his [national service](/source/Conscription_in_the_United_Kingdom#After_1945), he moved to London, and his early appearances on the [West End stage](/source/West_End_theatre) were in intimate [revue](/source/Revue).[1] In 1956, he became known for his impersonation of the American pianist and entertainer, [Liberace](/source/Liberace), in the revue, *For Amusement Only*, at the [Apollo Theatre](/source/Apollo_Theatre).[2] Thompson was called in the 1959 libel action brought by the pianist against the [Daily Mirror](/source/Daily_Mirror), and was himself subsequently sued by Liberace. Thompson settled out of court, making a donation to an actors’ charity.[1] In 1959, he and his wife, Nina,[3] co-authored a musical comedy, *The Quiz Kid*, which was presented at the [Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith](/source/Lyric_Hammersmith).[4] In 1964, he starred in *Monsieur Blaise* at the [Royal Court](/source/Royal_Court_Theatre) and [Phoenix](/source/Phoenix_Theatre_(London)) theatres, a play adapted by his wife from the [Claude Magnier](/source/Claude_Magnier) farce. In 1974, Thompson starred in *The Englishman Amused* at the [Young Vic](/source/Young_Vic), a production which again he co-wrote with his wife.[5] In 1992, he was once more in revue, appearing at the [Whitehall Theatre](/source/Whitehall_Theatre) in *[Spread a Little Happiness](/source/Spread_a_Little_Happiness)*, the [Vivian Ellis](/source/Vivian_Ellis) musical.[1] In the 1960s, Thompson appeared regularly in the [BBC](/source/BBC) television programme, [Pinky and Perky](/source/Pinky_and_Perky), created by [Jan and Vlasta Dalibor](/source/Jan_and_Vlasta_Dalibor).[6] In 1967, he starred in the title role in the first [BBC2](/source/BBC2) play in colour, *Lieutenant Tenant*. Other television appearances included *[The Benny Hill Show](/source/The_Benny_Hill_Show)* (1970) and *[George and Mildred](/source/George_and_Mildred)* (1978).[1] His film appearances include *[Carry On Regardless](/source/Carry_On_Regardless)* (1961), *[Carry On Cruising](/source/Carry_On_Cruising)* (1962), *Band of Thieves* (1962) (where he had one of the main roles) and *[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines](/source/Those_Magnificent_Men_in_Their_Flying_Machines)* (1965).[3][7] His directorial credits include directing [Simon Ward](/source/Simon_Ward) in *[Perchance to Dream](/source/Perchance_to_Dream_(musical))*, [Patrick Cargill](/source/Patrick_Cargill) in *Don't Misunderstand Me*, [Mollie Sugden](/source/Mollie_Sugden) in *My Giddy Aunt*, [Windsor Davies](/source/Windsor_Davies) in *My Wife Whatsername*, [Peggy Mount](/source/Peggy_Mount) in *[Blithe Spirit](/source/Blithe_Spirit_(play))*, and the original production of *Jeeves Takes Charge* with Edward Duke.[3] After the death of his wife in 1999, he retired to [York](/source/York) where he died on 21 April 2005.[3] ## Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1958 The Whole Truth Assistant 1959 The Man Who Liked Funerals Lt. Hunter 1960 Doctor in Love Doctor Uncredited 1961 No Love for Johnnie Sheilah's Party Guest Uncredited 1961 Carry On Regardless Mr. Delling 1961 Raising the Wind Alex Spendlove 1962 Carry On Cruising Sam Turner, Barman 1962 Band of Thieves Hon. Derek Delaney 1963 Carry On Jack Adm. Horatio Nelson 1965 Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines Photographer 1968 Hot Millions Salesman Uncredited 1970 Doctor in Trouble Ship's Doctor 1973 U-Turn Old ferry driver ## References 1. ["Shorter, Eric. "Obituary: Jimmy Thompson.""](https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jun/06/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries1). London: The Guardian, 6 June 2005. 6 June 2005. Retrieved 2 July 2008. 1. Pyron, Darden Asbury (26 April 2013). [*Liberace: An American Boy*](https://books.google.com/books?id=RCSkGd_2zRIC&q=jimmy+thompson+liberace&pg=PA193). University of Chicago Press. ISBN 9780226117126. – via Google Books. 1. ["Jimmy Thompson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110612015050/http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/8040). The Stage, 31 May 2005. Archived from [the original](http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/8040) on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2008. 1. Wearing, J. P. (16 September 2014). [*The London Stage 1950–1959: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel*](https://books.google.com/books?id=5g2PBAAAQBAJ&q=jimmy+thompson+the+quiz+kid+lyric+hammersmith&pg=PA663). Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9780810893085. – via Google Books. 1. ["Production of The Englishman Amused | Theatricalia"](https://theatricalia.com/play/cts/the-englishman-amused/production/ry9). *theatricalia.com* 1. ["Pinky and Perky: You, Too, Can Be a Highlander"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141030071135/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/12438758c91f46119c3725eba97644ba). No. 2211. 27 March 1966. p. 21. Archived from [the original](https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/12438758c91f46119c3725eba97644ba) on 30 October 2014. – via BBC Genome. 1. ["Jimmy Thompson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190319030031/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba8283822). *BFI*. Archived from [the original](https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba8283822) on 19 March 2019. ## External links - [Jimmy Thompson (actor)](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006478/) at IMDb --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jimmy Thompson (actor)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Thompson_(actor)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Thompson_(actor)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.