Jack May
Biography
Jack May was a mellifluous-voiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures, often representing Britain's interests in far-flung corners of the empire. With regards the former, he memorably played William E. Simms, former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harper's titular swashbuckling adventurer in '60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives! as well as providing the voice of Igor, the long-suffering valet in Cosgrove Hall's 1980s animation Count Duckula. His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975's The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty (1984). For many, May was Nelson Gabriel 'the most disreputable character in Ambridge' in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap The Archers. May took the role of the shady rogue, later antique dealer and wine bar owner, in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death, 1997. This 45 year stint made May, at the time, the fourth-longest serving soap opera star in the world. He died at the age of 75, on 19 September 1997, survived by his wife, the actress Petra Davies, his daughter Henrietta, and son David.
Known For
District Commissioner
The Man Who Would Be King
Dr Stevens
The Doctor and the Devils
Boat Rental Man (uncredited)
Brief Encounter
Prosecuting Captain
The Bounty
The Men of Sherwood Forest
Postman (uncredited)
The Gentle Sex
Emma's father
Emma's Time
Edwards
The Professionals
Police Sergeant
There Was a Crooked Man
Steerage Passenger (uncredited)
A Night to Remember
Judge Lomax
Night After Night After Night
Burton
The Traitors
Garkbit (Head Waiter)
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
Old Man in Crowd (Uncredited)
The Blue Lamp
Sailor on the Dunbar (uncredited)
Pool of London
Price (uncredited)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
MO
A Prize of Arms
Watts
The Breaking of Colonel Keyser
Mr. Franklyn
Friends and Other Lovers
Dr. Selbourne
Trog
Evans
Stranger in the Family
Detective
Soap Opera in Stockwell
Inspector Hudson
Solo for Sparrow
Richard Johnson
Cat Girl
Navy Doctor
The Silent Enemy
General Chapman
Whinfrey's Last Case
Dr. Schultz
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
Lord Runciman
The Life and Times of David Lloyd George
Postman
Deadlock
Shopkeeper
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Lord Chancellor
Henry VIII
Mourner
This Happy Breed
Old Man
Millions Like Us
Jeremiah Horn
Big Zapper
Toby
How I Won the War
Sir Harry Stamp
The Shooting Party
Choir Member (uncredited)
Johnny Frenchman
Brigadier General
The Return of the Soldier
Psychiatrist
Hard Road
Grandfather
Willie's War
Mr. Ardent - the Headmaster
A Swarm in May
General Hermack
Doctor Who: The Space Pirates
Inspector Seekert
A Twist of Sand
The Last Invasion
Pub Customer
The Gay Dog
Behind the Headlines
Reveller
Saraband for Dead Lovers
King Reiter
The Yes Girls
Sea Rat (voice)
Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Igor/Giant (voice)
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Igor (voice)
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2
Igor (voice)
More Children's Summer Stories
Igor (voice)
More Children's Holiday Favourites
Bus Passenger (uncredited)
Trouble in Store
Sea Rat (voice)
The Wind in the Willows
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
55
Gender
Male
Birthday
1922-04-23
Place of Birth
Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, England, UK
Also Known As