Actor Brian Murphy dies aged 92
Brian Murphy, the actor best known for starring in the sitcom Man About the House, has died at the age of 92.
Thomas Bowington, Murphy’s friend and agent, told BBC News he was a “joyful and profoundly good-hearted man”, paying tribute to his “talent and humanity”.
Murphy first came to public attention playing George Roper, a landlord, in the popular ITV sitcom, which began in 1973. The late Yootha Joyce played his wife, Mildred.
The show was considered controversial because it featured two single women living with a man.
When Man About the House ended in 1976, Murphy starred in the spin-off, George and Mildred, which ran for five series until 1979. He also played Alvin Smedley in Last Of the Summer Wine.
Murphy’s on-screen wife, Yootha Joyce, poses with him and John Inman (left) in 1977 – PA
Born on the Isle of Wight, Murphy was a member of the celebrated Theatre Workshop, founded by Joan Littlewood. He was a jobbing stage actor before working in TV shows including The Avengers and Z-Cars.
In 1993, he appeared in the first major stage production of The Invisible Man, based on the science fiction novel by HG Wells.
Murphy appeared in a host of other TV shows, including comedy series The Catherine Tate Show, Benidorm and This is Jinsy.
In later years, he voiced the character Mr Lovelybuns for the animated children’s series Claude, based on Alex T Smith’s best-selling books.
Murphy was married to Linda Regan, the Hi-De-Hi! actress, who was quoted by BBC News as saying: “I was lucky to have, in my lifetime, found my soulmate Brian, who I will love forever.”
He had shot scenes for a comedy series in November last year and was due to start filming for a feature film.
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With a working title of The Last Goodbye and directed by Jason Figgis, the film about “life late in life” would have co-starred Murphy and Regan, his agent said.
Mr Bowington said Regan still planned to make the film but they would “need to take a breath first” before re-casting her co-star as “Brian is not easily replaced.”
Murphy is survived by his wife and two sons.
