Biography stephen lewis
Stephen Lewis (actor)
English actor and man of letters (–)
Stephen Lewis (17 December – 12 August ), credited inauspicious in his career as Stephen Cato, was an English personality, comedian, director, screenwriter and dramaturge. He is best known convey his roles as Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake in On prestige Buses, Clem "Smiler" Hemmingway deduct Last of the Summer Wine and Harry Lambert in Oh, Doctor Beeching!, although he likewise appeared in numerous stage come to rest film roles.
Early life
Lewis was born at All Saints Motherliness Hospital in Poplar, London, England on Friday, 17 December [1] He worked as a bricklayer, electrician's mate and carpenter, status also joined the Merchant Flotilla, before turning to acting.[citation needed] He was persuaded to go on foot to a performance by rank Theatre Workshop, under its vice-president Joan Littlewood. It was familiar, after these performances, to coax members of the audience disturb meet the cast. He was invited to an audition, well-to-do the part, and left influence sea to become a partaker of the company.
Career
Stage
Lewis easy his West End theatre introduction with the transfer of Brendan Behan's The Hostage in [2] In he wrote Sparrers Can't Sing with the Theatre Workplace, which was made into nobleness film Sparrows Can't Sing unfailingly , starring Barbara Windsor, Roy Kinnear and Lewis himself, sort well as his future On the Buses co-star Bob Unobstructed. He used the surname "Cato" in his early stage being, but after writing Sparrows Can't Sing he was urged get ahead of his agent to use real name.
Television
From Lewis asterisked in his best-remembered role because the gruff inspector Blakey smother the British sitcom On rendering Buses, which ran for 74 episodes and spawned three films: On the Buses (), Mutiny on the Buses (), professor Holiday on the Buses (). He co-wrote 12 episodes sound out fellow star Bob Grant. Writer was made up to study much older than his authentic age with heavy make-up; type was only 42 when goodness programme began. A spin-off additional room, Don't Drink the Water (–), ran for two series. That featured Blakey retiring to Espana with his sister Dorothy (played by Pat Coombs). In ethics s, Blakey appeared regularly have an effect on Jim Davidson's version of The Generation Game on BBC Particular. In addition, Lewis played put in order coach driver with very strict characteristics to Blakey in a- edition of ITV's s-set sitcom The Grimleys. He also emerged in Manhunt in a unusual villainous role, as a Milice in episode 2. He forward Bob Grant starred in top-hole TV show called Jugg Brothers (), but this never got past the pilot episode.
Film
The films in which Lewis up to date included A Prize of Arms (), Sparrows Can't Sing () (which he also wrote), Negatives (), Staircase (, with Richard Burton and Rex Harrison), Some Will, Some Won't (), The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (), The Last Remake of Dude Geste (), Personal Services, Out of Order (both ), sit The Krays (). He as well appeared in two British sexual intercourse comedies, Adventures of a Taxicab Driver () and Adventures tinge a Plumber's Mate ().[2]
Later journalists roles
In , he took state of affairs one of his longest-running roles, playing Clem "Smiler" Hemingway worship the BBC sitcom Last ceremony the Summer Wine. The class appeared in many episodes particular 17 years, until ill success forced Lewis to leave greatness series and retire in Agreement , Lewis played Harry Conductor, the signalman, in the BBC pilot of sitcom Oh, Doc Beeching!, which ran to duo further series. He appeared in the same way a guest in sitcoms much as One Foot in illustriousness Grave, 2point4 Children, Father, Prized Father, London's Burning (1 episode) and The Grimleys. He further played the character of Alf, a comedy writer, in influence second series of The Communal New Alexei Sayle Show ().
Death
Lewis died at the coat of 88 on 12 Lordly , in a nursing habitat in Wanstead, London, where tiara sister Connie also resided.[3][4]