Sidney James (born Solomon Joel Cohen; 8 May 1913 â€" 26 April 1976)
was a British character and comic actor born into a Jewish family in
South Africa.Appearing in British films from 1947, he was cast in
numerous small and supporting roles into the 1950s. In 1951 he starred
alongside Alec Guinness in The Lavender Hill Mob, ranked 17th out of
the 100 best British films by the British Film Institute. His profile
was raised as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour, first in
the radio series and later when it was adapted for television and ran
from 1954 to 1960. Afterwards, he became known as a regular performer
in the Carry On films, appearing in nineteen films of the series, with
the top billing role in 17 (in the other two he was cast below Frankie
Howerd). Meanwhile, his starring roles in television sitcoms continued
for the rest of his life. He starred alongside Diana Coupland in the
1970s sitcom Bless This House until his death in 1976.Remembered for a
lascivious persona in the Carry On films, with the Snopes website
describing him as "the grand old man of dirty laughter", he became
known for his amiability in his later television work. Bruce Forsyth
described him as "a natural at being natural".
was a British character and comic actor born into a Jewish family in
South Africa.Appearing in British films from 1947, he was cast in
numerous small and supporting roles into the 1950s. In 1951 he starred
alongside Alec Guinness in The Lavender Hill Mob, ranked 17th out of
the 100 best British films by the British Film Institute. His profile
was raised as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour, first in
the radio series and later when it was adapted for television and ran
from 1954 to 1960. Afterwards, he became known as a regular performer
in the Carry On films, appearing in nineteen films of the series, with
the top billing role in 17 (in the other two he was cast below Frankie
Howerd). Meanwhile, his starring roles in television sitcoms continued
for the rest of his life. He starred alongside Diana Coupland in the
1970s sitcom Bless This House until his death in 1976.Remembered for a
lascivious persona in the Carry On films, with the Snopes website
describing him as "the grand old man of dirty laughter", he became
known for his amiability in his later television work. Bruce Forsyth
described him as "a natural at being natural".
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