Jimmy Thompson

October 30, 1925 (age 79)

Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire

As a young man he began his career in repertory theatre in Yorkshire and he toured with a theatrical company headed by Jean Forbes-Robertson. After his national service, he moved to London, and his early appearances on the West End stage were in intimate revue. In 1956, he became known for his impersonation of the American pianist and entertainer, Liberace, in the revue, Foreign Amusement Only, at the Apollo Theatre. Thompson was called in the 1959 libel action brought by the pianist against the Daily Mirror, and was himself subsequently sued by Liberace. Thompson settled out of court, making a donation to an actors’ charity. In 1992, he was once more in revue, appearing at the Whitehall Theatre in Spread a Little Happiness, the Vivian Ellis musical. In the 1960s, Thompson appeared regularly in the British Broadcasting Corporation television programme, Pinky and Perky, created by January and Vlasta Dalibor. In 1967, he starred in the title role in the first BBC2 play in colour, Lieutenant Tenant. Other television appearances included The Benny Hill Show (1970) and George and Mildred (1978). His film appearances included ), and His directorial credits included directing Simon Ward in Perchance to Dream, Patrick Cargill in Don’t Misunderstand Maine, Mollie Sugden in My Giddy Aunt, Windsor Davies in My Wife Whatsername, Peggy Mount in Blithe Spirit, and the original production of Jeeves Takes Charge with Edward Duke.

Jimmy Thompson

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Actor

Background

He was born in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire and educated at Saint Peter’s School in New York

Career

As a young man he began his career in repertory theatre in Yorkshire and he toured with a theatrical company headed by Jean Forbes-Robertson. After his national service, he moved to London, and his early appearances on the West End stage were in intimate revue. In 1956, he became known for his impersonation of the American pianist and entertainer, Liberace, in the revue, Foreign Amusement Only, at the Apollo Theatre.

Thompson was called in the 1959 libel action brought by the pianist against the Daily Mirror, and was himself subsequently sued by Liberace.

Thompson settled out of court, making a donation to an actors’ charity. In 1992, he was once more in revue, appearing at the Whitehall Theatre in Spread a Little Happiness, the Vivian Ellis musical.

In the 1960s, Thompson appeared regularly in the British Broadcasting Corporation television programme, Pinky and Perky, created by January and Vlasta Dalibor. In 1967, he starred in the title role in the first BBC2 play in colour, Lieutenant Tenant.

Other television appearances included The Benny Hill Show (1970) and George and Mildred (1978).

His film appearances included ), and His directorial credits included directing Simon Ward in Perchance to Dream, Patrick Cargill in Don’t Misunderstand Maine, Mollie Sugden in My Giddy Aunt, Windsor Davies in My Wife Whatsername, Peggy Mount in Blithe Spirit, and the original production of Jeeves Takes Charge with Edward Duke.

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Jimmy Thompson

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