Brian Jackson (actor)

Brian Jackson
Playing Private Godfrey in the Dad's Army stage show (2007)
Born
Osmond Brian Jackson

(1931-04-06)6 April 1931
Bolton, Lancashire, England
Died2 July 2022(2022-07-02) (aged 91)
Occupation(s)Actor, photographer and producer
Years active1958–2019
Spouses
  • Irene Berry
    ​
    (divorced)​
  • ​
    (m. 1968⁠–⁠1977)​
  • Ann Barker
    ​
    (m. 1998)​
Children5

Osmond Brian Jackson (6 April 1931 – 2 July 2022) was a British actor, photographer and producer who was especially famous as "The Man from Del Monte".[1][2]

Life and career

Jackson was born on 6 April 1931 in Bolton, Lancashire, England.[3] He began his career as a Fleet Air Arm photographer and cameraman,[4] then spent many years in the theatre appearing in the plays with repertory seasons at the Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-upon-Avon and London. In 1969–70, he appeared in Mame at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, starring Ginger Rogers.[5]

He was a regular actor on TV and BBC radio drama. For several years Jackson was exclusively contracted worldwide as The Man From Del Monte,[3] filming 25 commercials shown in 32 countries.

In addition to his acting career, Jackson owned and ran several TV production and international distribution companies from his photographic, film & recording studios at Hampden Gurney Studios complex at Marble Arch in London.[6]

Jackson was married to, and divorced from, Irene Berry, and they had a son and daughter. He also had a daughter with actress Eunice Gayson, to whom he was married from 1968 to 1977. He was married to Ann Barker from 1998 until his death. They had a daughter, and he had another son from another relationship.[3]

Jackson died from prostate cancer in London on 2 July 2022, at the age of 91.[7]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1958 Carry On Sergeant Second Recruit
1961 Gorgo Army Officer Uncredited
1961 Taste of Fear Plainclothes Officer Uncredited
1962 Some Like It Cool Mike Hall
1965 The Heroes of Telemark Norwegian Naval Attache Uncredited
1974 Escort Girls Harvey Matelow
1976 The Deadly Females Tony
1978 Revenge of the Pink Panther Police Chief
1992 Shadowchaser President
1997 Mrs Brown Secretary Uncredited
1998 The Big Swap The Professor
2008 Ealing Comedy Obi-Wan Kenobi / Alec Guinness
2008 Cash and Curry Brian
2012 Le Baiser/The kiss (shortfilm) Jake
2018 Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda Denis
2019 Saint Maud Drummer Final film role

References

  1. ^ "International Television Almanac". Quigley Publishing Company. 1979.
  2. ^ "Brian Jackson: The Man from Del Monte". retromash.com. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Brian Jackson, 91". Classic Images. November 2022. p. 44.
  4. ^ "Casualty star collapsed while filming on set". Mirror.co.uk. 22 October 2016.
  5. ^ Martin, Kathy (19 February 2017). Famous Brand Names and Their Origins. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-78159-015-7.
  6. ^ "Brian Jackson". Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Brian Jackson: Star of Man from Del Monte adverts dies aged 91". BBC News. Retrieved 8 July 2022.