Jack May
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
The Avengers
All Creatures Great and Small
Reverend Henty
No Hiding Place
UFO
English Delegate
The Bounty
Prosecuting Captain
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
The Man Who Would Be King
District Commissioner
Big Zapper
Jeremiah Horn
Henry VIII
Lord Chancellor
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution
Dr. Schultz
Softly, Softly
The Wednesday Play
Lt. Krov
The Doctor and the Devils
Dr Stevens
Danger Man
Third Secretary
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Shopkeeper
Count Duckula
Igor (voice)
Van der Valk
Minister
Sunday Night Theatre
David Gottlieb
Dr. Finlay's Casebook
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Price (uncredited)
The Professionals
Edwards
The Life and Times of David Lloyd George
Lord Runciman
The Men of Sherwood Forest
Johnny Frenchman
Choir Member (uncredited)
Jeeves and Wooster
Vicar
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
James Ladbroke, Q.C.
How I Won the War
Toby
This Happy Breed
Mourner
Brief Encounter
Boat Rental Man (uncredited)
Doctor Who: The Space Pirates
General Hermack
Deadlock
Postman
Millions Like Us
Old Man
Solo for Sparrow
Inspector Hudson
The Return of the Soldier
Brigadier General
Saraband for Dead Lovers
Reveller
Trouble in Store
Bus Passenger (uncredited)
The Main Chance
Derrick Asher
The Main Chance
Harry Turner
The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy
Garkbit (Head Waiter)
Poldark
Ralph Allen Daniell
Two-Way Stretch
Prison Visitor (uncredited)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Garkbit (Head Waiter)
Willie's War
Grandfather
The Shooting Party
Sir Harry Stamp
Pool of London
Sailor on the Dunbar (uncredited)
There Was a Crooked Man
Police Sergeant
Cat Girl
Richard Johnson
Hard Road
Psychiatrist
Festival
Voice of God (voice)
Richard the Lionheart
Knight
Trog
Dr. Selbourne
The Silent Enemy
Navy Doctor
The Traitors
Burton
The Gay Dog
Pub Customer
Mark Saber
Newsvendor
The Gentle Sex
Postman (uncredited)
Budgie
Mr. Pratt
Target
Chief Officer
The Agatha Christie Hour
Night After Night After Night
Judge Lomax
The Adventures of Sir Lancelot
Caradoc
The Last Invasion
Whinfrey's Last Case
General Chapman
Friends and Other Lovers
Mr. Franklyn
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 2
Igor (voice)
An Age of Kings
An Age of Kings
Duke of York
More Children's Summer Stories
Igor (voice)
A Night to Remember
Steerage Passenger (uncredited)
Soap Opera in Stockwell
Detective
The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel
Citizen (uncredited)
Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Sea Rat (voice)
Lollipop Children's Favourites - Volume 1
Igor/Giant (voice)
A Twist of Sand
Inspector Seekert
More Children's Holiday Favourites
Igor (voice)
A Horseman Riding By
Lord Gilroy
Adam Adamant Lives!
Emma's Time
Emma's father
Brett
Brett
Mason
Black and Blue
Detective
Escape
Pride and Prejudice
Mr Collins
The Ten Commandments
Herbert Ward
You Can't Win
The Yes Girls
King Reiter
Behind the Headlines
The Spread of the Eagle
Casca
The Blue Lamp
Old Man in Crowd (Uncredited)
A for Andromeda
Major Quadring
Nicholas Nickleby
Dawson's Weekly
Hawkmoor
John Stedman
A Prize of Arms
MO
The Wind in the Willows
Sea Rat (voice)
Stranger in the Family
Evans
A Swarm in May
Mr. Ardent - the Headmaster
The Breaking of Colonel Keyser
Watts