Roy Stewart

For the actor of the silent-era, see Roy Stewart (silent film actor). For the American football coach, see Roy Stewart (American football). For those of a similar name, see Roy Stuart.

Roy Stewart
in Doctor Who:The Tomb of the Cybermen (1967)
Born
Atwell Roy Stewart

(1925-05-15)15 May 1925
Jamaica
Died27 October 2008(2008-10-27) (aged 83)
London, England
Occupationactor
Years active1959–1981

Roy Stewart (15 May 1925 – 27 October 2008) was a Jamaican-born British actor. He began his career as a stuntman and went on to work in film and television.

In 1954 he founded Roy Stewart's Gym in Powis Square, North Kensington, and ran the Caribbean club and restaurant The Globe, in Talbot Road until his death. Stewart played Quarrel Junior in the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973). Other film appearances include Carry On Up the Jungle (1970), Leo the Last (1970), Games That Lovers Play (1971), Twins of Evil (1971), Lady Caroline Lamb (1972), Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers (1977) and Arabian Adventure (1979). He was also active on television, with credits including: Out of the Unknown, Adam Adamant Lives!, Doctor Who (in the serials The Tomb of the Cybermen and Terror of the Autons), Doomwatch, Up Pompeii!, The Troubleshooters, Space: 1999 and I, Claudius.

Early life

One of seven brothers, Roy Stewart was born in Jamaica, and came to Britain in 1948 with aspirations of being a doctor. But either theatre or a television commercial changed that.[1][2]

Film and television career

In a role, possibly his earliest, Stewart appeared in a television advert for Fry's Turkish Delight, playing a snake charmer. Later, he was an extra in films and did stunt work.[2] He would become one of the top black actors and stuntmen in Britain.[3]

Film

Possibly his earliest role was an uncredited one, playing a slave in the 1959 film, The Mummy. In 1973, he played the part of Quarrel Junior in the James Bond film Live and Let Die starring Roger Moore.[3] Having not returned for many years to Jamaica where the film was being shot, Stewart suffered in the heat and couldn't believe the changes that had taken place over the years.[4]

One of his last roles in film was as Pomeroy in Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective, a 1981 made-for-television movie.[5]

Television

He appeared in Doctor Who twice. He played Toberman in The Tomb of the Cybermen and Tony in Terror of the Autons.[6]

Television commercials

Business interests

Stewart ran a basement gymnasium at 32A Powis Square, Kensington, west London which was opened in 1954.[1][2] It had the policy of allowing all races to train there. Some actors trained there too, one of them, David Prowse, a Commonwealth Games weightlifter in 1962, went on to play Darth Vader in the film Star Wars. The Gymnasium had a dual purpose. It was also an unofficial after-hours drinking club.[2] By 1964, Stewart had been convicted four times for selling liquor without a licence.[8] He also ran a nightclub in Bayswater. Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison and Bob Marley were some of the patrons.[1]

The Globe

In the 1960s he opened a Caribbean restaurant and bar called The Globe.[1] The Globe, formerly Bajy's, was located at 103 Talbot Road.[9][10] Jimi Hendrix was reportedly seen there the night before his death in September 1970.[11][10] Stewart ran The Globe until he died in October 2008.[6] The Globe functions to this day and is one of longest-running nightclubs in London. It also has a Caribbean restaurant upstairs.[12]

Death

Having suffered for some time from heart disease, Stewart died on 27 October 2008, aged 83.[7]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1959 The Mummy Flashback Slave Uncredited
1960 Sands of the Desert Gong Banger at Sheik's Tent Uncredited
1961 On the Fiddle Trinidad Uncredited
1964 The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb Bearer in Museum Uncredited
1965-1971 Doctor Who Saracen Warrior/Toberman/Strongman 3 episodes
1965 She Black Guard Uncredited
Out of the Unknown Security Guard Episode: No Place Like Earth
1966 The Saint Wrestler Uncredited
1967 Prehistoric Women Warrior Uncredited
1968 Sympathy for the Devil Black Power Activist
The Avengers Giles Episode: Have Guns - Will Haggle
1970 Julius Caesar Slave
Carry On Up the Jungle Nosha Uncredited
Leo the Last Jasper's Bodyguard
Up Pompeii! Jeremy Episode: Guess Who's Coming to Sin'Er Nymphia
1971 Games That Lovers Play Mr. Bwamba
Twins of Evil Joachim
1972 Call Me by My Rightful Name Doug's Agent
Lady Caroline Lamb Black Pug
1973 Live and Let Die Quarrel Jr.
1976 I, Claudius Sentor Miniseries
1977 Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers American Sailor
1979 Arabian Adventure Nubian
1981 Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective Pomeroy TV movie (final film role)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gaughan, Gavin (4 February 2009). "Obituary: Roy Stewart". The Guardian.
  2. ^ a b c d e Olden, Mark (2011). Murder in Notting Hill. Washington. p. 19. ISBN 9781846945366.
  3. ^ a b DeMichael, Tom (December 2012). James Bond FAQ : all that's left to know about everyone's favorite superspy. ISBN 9781557838568.
  4. ^ Goldeneye: Where Bond Was Born: Ian Fleming's Jamaica By Matthew Parker Page 317
  5. ^ IMdb Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981 TV Movie), Full Cast & Crew
  6. ^ a b "Actor Roy Stewart Passes". itzcaribbean. 2 November 2008.
  7. ^ a b "OBITUARY: Tributes for 'flamboyant' gym owner". getwestlondon. 13 November 2008.
  8. ^ Policing Notting Hill: Fifty Years of Turbulence By Tony Moore Page 114
  9. ^ Portobello film festival Portobello film festival 2006, Counter Culture Portobello Psychogeographical History by Tom Vague.
  10. ^ a b Vague, Tom. "1968 - 1979, The Mangrove and Troubled Times". All Saints Road Business Association. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
  11. ^ Colville Community Forum Talbot Road
  12. ^ All in London The Globe, 103 Talbot Road, Notting Hill, London