Background
He was born in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England. The son of a doctor, he made his acting debut at the Theatre Royal in Bournemouth.
He was born in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England. The son of a doctor, he made his acting debut at the Theatre Royal in Bournemouth.
After appearing in repertory theatres he was called up for military service in the Royal Devon Yeomanry in which he served in Sicily and Italy during the Second World War. His early acting career saw him playing a succession of doctors and policemen in many films, the former on film in, the latter on television in Big Breadwinner Hog (1969). He was more prolific in television from the 1960s and played character roles in many series and programmes including The Lotus Eaters (1972-1973) and The Duchess of Duke Street (1976-1977), though is perhaps best known for his role as Doc Morrissey in the British Broadcasting Corporation sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976-1979) in which his catchphrase was "Take two Aspirins".
He reprised the role in The Legacy of Reginald Perrin in 1996.
Horsley was also cast in the role of Sir Ralph Shawcross in the British Broadcasting Corporation sitcom You Rang, M"Lord? (1990-1993), as the Bishop of Tatchester in the British Broadcasting Corporation adaptation of John Masefield"s The Box Of Delights (1984), and appeared in Mission Marple (Nemesis) in 1987 and Agatha Christie"s Poirot (Hercule Poirot"s Christmas) in 1995. His final role was in the television mini-series Rebecca in 1997.
Horsley was married to the actress June Marshall (1923-1988) from 1948 until her death, and had two daughters. He died on 12 January 2014 at Denville Hall, the retirement home for actors.
He then contracted hepatitis and become a member of an Army drama company that toured military units.