Victor Maddern

Life and career

Born in Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex, Maddern attended Mayfield Boys school and afterwards joined the Merchant Navy at the age of 15 and served in the Second World War from 1943 until 1946, when he was medically discharged. He subsequently trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). He made his first screen appearance in Seven Days to Noon in 1950, playing a reluctant soldier obliged to shoot a psychotic scientist.

One of his earliest stage roles was as Sam Weller in The Trial of Mr Pickwick (1952). Appearing as Helicon in a production of Albert Camus' play Caligula (1964), Maddern was singled out for critical praise, and in My Darling Daisy (1970) brought a fine Cockney bravado and arrogance to the portrait of the notorious Frank Harris. He also did two stints in the highly successful Agatha Christie play The Mousetrap - the longest-running production in London's West End.

From 1950 to the early 1990s, Maddern appeared in films and TV series, often portraying military types. He was usually cast as sergeants or corporals, as well as privates, seaman or airmen, played either straight or comically. He played minor roles in five Carry On films. Among his many TV roles were Private Gross in Denis Cannan's Captain Carvallo and old Lampwick's son-in-law in The Dick Emery Show. In 1963, he had a memorable guest role in Perry Mason as jewel smuggler Gilbert Tyrell, in the episode "The Case of the Floating Stones."

Besides acting, Maddern ran a script printing business, and in 1991 opened a public speaking school. A lifelong Conservative Party voter, he offered special rates to Conservative MPs and constituency workers.

In his later years, Maddern devoted much of his time to charitable work. He was married with four daughters. He died from a brain tumour in Hackney, London,in 1993, aged 65.