Cause of death Heart Attack | Name Michael Barrington Role Actor | |
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Full Name Michael John Barrington Born 3 July 1924 ( 1924-07-03 ) Shropshire, England Movies and TV shows Porridge, Follow Me!, Up the Junction, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Her Majesty's Pleasure Similar People Patricia Brake, Barbara New, Brian Glover, Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais | ||
Michael Barrington (3 July 1924 – 5 June 1988) was a British actor best known for his television work. His best remembered role is as the ineffectual Governor Venables in the popular sitcom Porridge which featured Ronnie Barker in the lead role.
Contents
Early life and career
Born in Shropshire, both his parents died when he was 16. His plans to train as a veterinarian were interrupted by Second World War service in a munitions factory and the Royal Engineers. After the war he decided to become an actor and trained at the Birmingham School of Drama. He then appeared in repertory theatres and at the Vaudeville Theatre in Salad Days.
Television appearances
In addition to Porridge Barrington also appeared in; Z-Cars, The Avengers, Private Schulz, Adam Adamant Lives!, and in the Doctor Who story The Seeds of Doom, as Sir Colin Thackeray. He was cast as Sir Robert Peel in the 1975 English miniseries King Edward VII. (In the USA this miniseries was renamed Edward the King.)
Personal life and death
He was married to actress Barbara New until his death from a heart attack on 5 June 1988, aged 63 in London, following many years of ill health due to lung disease. He was buried in the East London Cemetery and Crematorium.
Filmography
Actor
1987
Emu's Wide World (TV Series) as
Prince Poorly
1984
Emu's All Live Pink Windmill Show (TV Series) as
Prince Poorly
- Episode #3.10 (1986) - Prince Poorly
- Episode #3.6 (1986) - Prince Poorly
- Episode #3.5 (1986) - Prince Poorly
- Episode #2.13 (1985) - Prince Poorly (uncredited)
- Episode #2.4 (1985) - Prince Poorly
- Episode #2.3 (1985) - Prince Poorly
- Episode #2.2 (1985) - Prince Poorly
- Episode #2.1 (1985) - Prince Poorly
- Episode #1.2 (1984) - Prince Poorly (uncredited)
1985
Screen Two (TV Series) as
Interviewer
- Knockback: Part 2 (1985) - Interviewer
1983
Number 10 (TV Mini Series) as
William Huskisson
- The Iron Duke (1983) - William Huskisson
1982
The Chinese Detective (TV Series) as
Chief Supt. Nuttall
- Oblomov (1982) - Chief Supt. Nuttall
1981
Janet and Company (TV Series)
- Episode #2.2 (1982)
- Episode #1.3 (1981)
1981
Private Schulz (TV Series) as
Sam Maynard
- Episode #1.3 (1981) - Sam Maynard
1980
Can We Get on Now, Please? (TV Series) as
Benjamin Skinner JP
- Trial by Television (1980) - Benjamin Skinner JP
- Variations in Two Flats (1980) - Benjamin Skinner JP
- What's Your Medicine? (1980) - Benjamin Skinner JP
- The Underdog (1980) - Benjamin Skinner JP
- Pettigrew's Last Stand (1980) - Benjamin Skinner JP
- The Unmarried Wife's Tale (1980) - Benjamin Skinner JP
1980
Cribb (TV Series) as
Professor Quayle
- A Case of Spirits (1980) - Professor Quayle
1973
Play for Today (TV Series) as
John Dunkerley / Bolton
- The Network (1979) - John Dunkerley
- Song at Twilight (1973) - Bolton
1979
Love Among the Artists (TV Mini Series) as
Mr. Sutherland
- Education and Achievement (1979) - Mr. Sutherland
- Excursions and Explosions (1979) - Mr. Sutherland
1979
Atom Spies (TV Movie) as
Gerald Gardiner
1978
Betzi (TV Movie) as
Sir George Cockburn
1978
The Stud as
Vicar (uncredited)
1977
The Black Panther
1977
Cross Now (TV Movie) as
Bromley
1977
Peter Voss, der Millionendieb (TV Series)
- Dritte Folge (1977)
1974
Porridge (TV Series) as
Governor Venables
- Pardon Me (1977) - Governor Venables
- Poetic Justice (1977) - Governor Venables
- The Desperate Hours (1976) - Governor Venables
- No Peace for the Wicked (1975) - Governor Venables
- Disturbing the Peace (1975) - Governor Venables
- Men Without Women (1974) - Governor Venables
- Ways and Means (1974) - Governor Venables
- New Faces, Old Hands (1974) - Governor Venables
1976
The New Avengers (TV Series) as
General Stevens
- Dirtier by the Dozen (1976) - General Stevens
1976
BBC Play of the Month (TV Series) as
Mr. Erskine
- The Picture of Dorian Gray (1976) - Mr. Erskine
1976
Second Verdict (TV Series) as
Solicitor General Godefroy
- The French Bluebeard (1976) - Solicitor General Godefroy
1976
Doctor Who (TV Series) as
Sir Colin Thackeray
- The Seeds of Doom: Part Six (1976) - Sir Colin Thackeray
- The Seeds of Doom: Part Five (1976) - Sir Colin Thackeray
- The Seeds of Doom: Part Four (1976) - Sir Colin Thackeray
- The Seeds of Doom: Part Three (1976) - Sir Colin Thackeray
- The Seeds of Doom: Part One (1976) - Sir Colin Thackeray
1975
Centre Play (TV Series) as
Reg
- Brent Geese (1975) - Reg
1975
Raffles (TV Series) as
Earl of Milchester
- The Amateur Cracksman (1975) - Earl of Milchester
1975
Raffles (TV Movie) as
Earl of Milchester
1975
Churchill's People (TV Series) as
General Barker
- Mother India (1975) - General Barker
1962
Z Cars (TV Series) as
Daniel Bristow / Mr. Easton / Mr. Tansfield / ...
- A New Broom (1975) - Mr. Easton
- Carbon Copy: Part 2 (1969) - Daniel Bristow
- Carbon Copy: Part 1 (1969) - Daniel Bristow
- Happy-Go-Lucky (1964) - Mr. Tansfield
- Information Received (1962) - Mr. Heseltine
1975
Edward the King (TV Mini Series) as
Sir Robert Peel
- The Boy (1975) - Sir Robert Peel
1974
South Riding (TV Mini Series) as
Mr. Fretton
- Beggars and Choosers (1974) - Mr. Fretton
1974
The Fortunes of Nigel (TV Mini Series) as
Sir Mungo Malagrowther
- Part 5 (1974) - Sir Mungo Malagrowther
- Part 4 (1974) - Sir Mungo Malagrowther
- Part 2 (1974) - Sir Mungo Malagrowther
- Part 1 (1974) - Sir Mungo Malagrowther
1972
Thirty Minutes Worth (TV Series)
- Episode #1.7 (1972)
1972
The Edwardians (TV Mini Series) as
Melvyn Hayes
- Horatio Bottomley (1972) - Melvyn Hayes
1972
Freewheelers (TV Series) as
General Grant
- Helga: Part 1 (1972) - General Grant
- The War Game (1972) - General Grant
- The Knot (1972) - General Grant
- Vertigo! (1972) - General Grant
- Framed! (1972) - General Grant
- The Race (1972) - General Grant
- Traitor! (1972) - General Grant
1972
The Public Eye as
Mr. Scrampton
1972
Six Days of Justice (TV Series) as
James Curtis
- With Intent to Deceive (1972) - James Curtis
1971
Mogul (TV Series) as
John Morden Cross
- It's Thumbs Down for You Pizarro! (1971) - John Morden Cross
1970
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer as
Major Scott
1970
For the Love of Ada (TV Series) as
Mr. Jarvis
- Wedding Plans (1970) - Mr. Jarvis
1970
Hark at Barker (TV Series) as
Director
- Rustless on Cooking (1970) - Director
1969
Department S (TV Series) as
John Heppel
- Death on Reflection (1969) - John Heppel
1969
The Gold Robbers (TV Mini Series) as
Ashe, Private Secretary
- The Great Bullion Robbery (1969) - Ashe, Private Secretary
1969
The Champions (TV Series) as
Manager
- Nutcracker (1969) - Manager
1969
Her Majesty's Pleasure (TV Series) as
Governor
- The Woman's Touch (1969) - Governor
- Tea for Two Hundred (1969) - Governor
- This Can't Be Love (1969) - Governor
1968
ITV Playhouse (TV Series) as
Dr. Mannard
- Camille 68 (1968) - Dr. Mannard
1968
The Jazz Age (TV Series) as
Colonel Feddon
- Lonely Road (1968) - Colonel Feddon
1968
Public Eye (TV Series) as
Lawrence Friend
- It's Learning About the Lies That Hurts (1968) - Lawrence Friend
1968
Up the Junction as
Barrister
1967
The Gamblers (TV Series) as
John Kay
- Tycoon of the Year (1967) - John Kay
1967
The Revenue Men (TV Series) as
Robert Quest
- Conflict of Interests (1967) - Robert Quest
1967
Haunted (TV Mini Series) as
Professor Gordon
- After the Funeral (1967) - Professor Gordon
- I Like It Here (1967) - Professor Gordon
1967
NET Playhouse (TV Series)
- London Assurance (1967)
1967
Mr. Rose (TV Series) as
Clulow
- The Good Loser (1967) - Clulow
1967
Privilege as
The Bishop of Essex
1966
Intrigue (TV Series) as
Sir Toby Fowler
- That's What's Pushing the Price Up (1966) - Sir Toby Fowler
1966
Adam Adamant Lives! (TV Series) as
Armitage
- Ticket to Terror (1966) - Armitage
1966
You Can't Win (TV Series) as
Roland Bolshaw
- Goodbye Myrtle Goodbye (1966) - Roland Bolshaw
- In at the Deep End (1966) - Roland Bolshaw
- Who's for America? (1966) - Roland Bolshaw
1966
Theatre 625 (TV Series) as
Prosecuting counsel
- A Man Like That (1966) - Prosecuting counsel
1966
Emergency-Ward 10 (TV Series) as
Mr. Hibbert
- Episode #1.888 (1966) - Mr. Hibbert
1966
The World of Wooster (TV Series) as
Policeman
- Jeeves and the Change of Mind (1966) - Policeman
1961
The Avengers (TV Series) as
Norman Todhunter / Head waiter
- Dial a Deadly Number (1965) - Norman Todhunter (uncredited)
- The Yellow Needle (1961) - Head waiter
1965
The Wednesday Play (TV Series) as
Harry Cartwright / Reverend Cobbold
- A Little Temptation (1965) - Harry Cartwright
- Dan, Dan, the Charity Man (1965) - Reverend Cobbold
1960
ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) as
Fabricio / Shoe Shop Manager / Cutworth / ...
- Women Beware Women (1965) - Fabricio
- The Gentle Assassin (1962) - Shoe Shop Manager
- The Accomplices (1960) - Cutworth
- Vitriol (1960) - Livesey
1965
The Plane Makers (TV Series) as
Finch
- A Hoopla of Haloes (1965) - Finch
1964
The Villains (TV Series) as
Irving / Harry Stamp
- Big Fleas Have Little Fleas (1964) - Irving
- Network (1964) - Harry Stamp
1964
Sergeant Cork (TV Series) as
Dilthorne
- The Case of the Penny Plains (1964) - Dilthorne
1964
Dixon of Dock Green (TV Series) as
Gus Kingshott
- The Witness (1964) - Gus Kingshott
- The Fire Raiser (1964) - Gus Kingshott
1963
Coronation Street (TV Series) as
Edgar Nuttall
- Episode #1.317 (1963) - Edgar Nuttall
1963
Maupassant (TV Series) as
Rivet
- Bachelors (1963) - Rivet
1963
The Victorians (TV Mini Series) as
Geoffrey Wedderburn / Sam Baxter / Mr. Potter / ...
- Sweet Lavender (1963) - Geoffrey Wedderburn
- The Silver King (1963) - Sam Baxter
- Still Waters Run Deep (1963) - Mr. Potter
- Two Roses (1963) - Mr. Furnival
- The Ticket-of-Leave Man (1963) - Mr. Gibson
- Society (1963) - The Smiffel Lamb
- London Assurance (1963) - Max Harkaway
- The Rent Day (1963) - Bullfrog
1963
The Odd Man (TV Series) as
Captain Burgon
- The Betrayal of Ambrose Fleech (1963) - Captain Burgon
1962
Richard the Lionheart (TV Series) as
Officer
- The Saracen Physician (1962) - Officer
1962
The Dark Island (TV Series) as
Doctor Glenville
- Episode #1.6 (1962) - Doctor Glenville
- Episode #1.5 (1962) - Doctor Glenville
- Episode #1.4 (1962) - Doctor Glenville
1961
Follow That Man as
Hotel manager
1961
Family Solicitor (TV Series) as
Tom Cargill
- Statement of Affairs (1961) - Tom Cargill
1961
Maigret (TV Series) as
Monsieur Saint-Marc
- Shadow Play (1961) - Monsieur Saint-Marc
1961
Ghost Squad (TV Series) as
Di Blazio
- The Eyes of the Bat (1961) - Di Blazio (uncredited)
1961
BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) as
Rowson
- A Call on Kuprin: Part 1 (1961) - Rowson
1961
Knight Errant Limited (TV Series) as
Letrey
- A Job for the Colonel (1961) - Letrey
1961
The Hellfire Club as
Footman (uncredited)
1961
ITV Television Playhouse (TV Series) as
Lionel
- The Savages (1961) - Lionel
1961
I Promised to Pay as
Hay
1960
Bootsie and Snudge (TV Series) as
Policeman
- The Beady Eye of the Little Yellow God (1960) - Policeman
1960
On Trial (TV Series) as
Usher
- Horatio Bottomley, MP (1960) - Usher
1960
Skyport (TV Series) as
Passport officer
- Episode #1.45 (1960) - Passport officer
1957
On Stage - London (TV Series)
- Episode #1.1 (1957)
1957
The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV Series) as
Emile
- Flight from France (1957) - Emile
1956
Story Conference (TV Movie) as
Young man
Soundtrack
1963
Coronation Street (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- Episode #1.317 (1963) - (performer: "Only a Rose" - uncredited)
Archive Footage
2004
Serial Thrillers (Video documentary short) as
Sir Colin (uncredited)
2001
Ronnie Barker Interview (Video short) as
Governor Venables (uncredited)
References
Michael Barrington Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA