John Comer - Revision history

Kurt: /* Death */

2023-03-13T22:02:21Z

Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 13 March 2023
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	==Death==		==Death==
	Comer died of [[Esophageal cancer\|throat cancer]] in 1984, at the age of 59.<ref>{{cite news\| url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/help-hospice-in-your-will-1-6125656 \| title=Help hospice in your will\| work=The Gazette \| publisher= Johnston Publishing Ltd. \|date=8 October 2013 \| location = Blackpool, Lancashire, UK\| accessdate= 26 May 2016\| archivedate= 26 May 2016\|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160526205637/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/help-hospice-in-your-will-1-6125656 \| url-status=live}}</ref> The disease had so affected his voice that in his final television appearance, as cafe owner Sid, in the ''Last of the Summer Wine'' [[Christmas]] episode ''[[Last of the Summer Wine (series 7)#ChristmasSpecial1983\|Getting Sam Home]]'', his lines had to be dubbed by another actor, [[Tony Melody]]. His funeral was held at [[Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool]], where he is commemorated at rose-bed no. 18. After the death of Comer's wife, Mollie, in 2010, his estate was finalised; in 2013 the Comer family donated £245,000 to the hospice in Blackpool where John Comer was treated before his death.<ref name=messenger>{{cite news\| url = http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/whereyoulive/stretfordnews/10345913.Late_Last_of_the_Summer_Wine_actor_s_family_to_donate___245_000_to_cancer_hospice/ \| title=Late Last of the Summer Wine actor's family to donate £245,000 to cancer hospice\| publisher=[[Messenger Newspapers]]\|location=UK\|first=Kate\|last= Banks\|date=11 April 2013\|accessdate=28 March 2016\|archivedate=17 January 2016\| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160117163753/http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/whereyoulive/stretfordnews/10345913.Late_Last_of_the_Summer_Wine_actor_s_family_to_donate___245_000_to_cancer_hospice/ \| url-status=live}}</ref>		Comer died of [[Esophageal cancer\|throat cancer]] in 1984, at the age of 59.<ref>{{cite news\| url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/help-hospice-in-your-will-1-6125656 \| title=Help hospice in your will\| work=The Gazette \| publisher= Johnston Publishing Ltd. \|date=8 October 2013 \| location = Blackpool, Lancashire, UK\| accessdate= 26 May 2016\| archivedate= 26 May 2016\|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160526205637/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/help-hospice-in-your-will-1-6125656 \| url-status=live}}</ref> The disease had so affected his voice that in his final television appearance, as cafe owner Sid, in the ''Last of the Summer Wine'' [[Christmas]] episode ''[[Last of the Summer Wine (series 7)#ChristmasSpecial1983\|Getting Sam Home]]'', his lines had to be dubbed by another actor, [[Tony Melody]]. His funeral was held at [[Carleton Crematorium and Cemetery\|Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool]], where he is commemorated at rose-bed no. 18. After the death of Comer's wife, Mollie, in 2010, his estate was finalised; in 2013 the Comer family donated £245,000 to the hospice in Blackpool where John Comer was treated before his death.<ref name=messenger>{{cite news\| url = http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/whereyoulive/stretfordnews/10345913.Late_Last_of_the_Summer_Wine_actor_s_family_to_donate___245_000_to_cancer_hospice/ \| title=Late Last of the Summer Wine actor's family to donate £245,000 to cancer hospice\| publisher=[[Messenger Newspapers]]\|location=UK\|first=Kate\|last= Banks\|date=11 April 2013\|accessdate=28 March 2016\|archivedate=17 January 2016\| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160117163753/http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/whereyoulive/stretfordnews/10345913.Late_Last_of_the_Summer_Wine_actor_s_family_to_donate___245_000_to_cancer_hospice/ \| url-status=live}}</ref>

	==Film roles==		==Film roles==

Kurt: /* Early career */

2023-03-13T21:59:42Z

Early career

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:59, 13 March 2023
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	==Early career==		==Early career==

	Comer began his career performing a comedy routine around local social clubs and pubs in the 1930s and 1940s.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2016}}~~ In 1952, with his younger brother Tony, he performed in a children's theatre production for local schools in Stretford.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2016}}~~ The siblings then formed a double act named the Comer Brothers.<ref name=messenger /> In 1957, the brothers began a regular slot at the [[Manchester Apollo]], performing a variety act entitled Comer's Cottage.~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2016}}~~		Comer began his career performing a comedy routine around local social clubs and pubs in the 1930s and 1940s.In 1952, with his younger brother Tony, he performed in a children's theatre production for local schools in Stretford. The siblings then formed a double act named the Comer Brothers.<ref name=messenger /> In 1957, the brothers began a regular slot at the [[Manchester Apollo]], performing a variety act entitled Comer's Cottage.

	[[File:The Comer Brothers.png\|thumb\|Tony & John Comer, as the Comer Brothers]]		[[File:The Comer Brothers.png\|thumb\|Tony & John Comer, as the Comer Brothers]]

	In 1958, the Comer Brothers participated in an ITV talent show called ''Bid for Fame'' and began working for [[Butlin's]].~~{{citation needed\|date=March 2016}}~~ In 1959, they won first prize in the Butlin's National Talent Contest, winning £1,000 and a film contract<ref name=messenger /> with the [[Boulting Brothers]].<ref name="Ann's Stretford Parish Magazine 2007, Pg14"/>		In 1958, the Comer Brothers participated in an ITV talent show called ''Bid for Fame'' and began working for [[Butlin's]]. In 1959, they won first prize in the Butlin's National Talent Contest, winning £1,000 and a film contract<ref name=messenger /> with the [[Boulting brothers\|Boulting Brothers]].<ref name="Ann's Stretford Parish Magazine 2007, Pg14"/>

	==Success==		==Success==

Kurt at 21:53, 13 March 2023

2023-03-13T21:53:56Z

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	~~{{Short description\|British actor}}~~
	~~{{for multi\|the American football player\|John Comer (American football)\|the Canadian politician\|John Kristian Comer\|the businessman and slave owner\|J. W. Comer}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=September 2017}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=September 2017}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	~~\| name = John Comer~~		\| image = John Comer.jpg
	\| image = John Comer.~~png~~
	~~\| imagesize = 240px~~
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = 1 March 1924		\| birth_date = 1 March 1924
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	*{{IMDb name\|173747}}		*{{IMDb name\|173747}}
	* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/c/comer_john.shtml John Comer] at the [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/ BBC Comedy Guide]		* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/c/comer_john.shtml John Comer] at the [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/ BBC Comedy Guide]

	~~{{authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Comer, John}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Comer, John}}

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2023-03-13T21:38:16Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:38, 13 March 2023
(No difference)

en>Sellyme: Reverted edits by 2601:89:C701:6950:1DB9:DBB9:9F60:5032 (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)

2022-11-17T18:54:23Z

Reverted edits by 2601:89:C701:6950:1DB9:DBB9:9F60:5032 (talk) (HG) (3.4.10)

New page

{{Short description|British actor}}
{{for multi|the American football player|John Comer (American football)|the Canadian politician|John Kristian Comer|the businessman and slave owner|J. W. Comer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name = John Comer
| image = John Comer.png
| imagesize = 240px
| caption =
| birth_date = 1 March 1924
| birth_place = [[Stretford]], [[Lancashire]], England
| death_date = 11 February 1984 (aged 59)
| death_place = [[Blackpool]], [[Lancashire]], England
| resting_place = [[Carleton Crematorium and Cemetery]], [[Carleton, Lancashire]], England
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1941–1984
| spouse =
}}

'''John Comer''' (1 March 1924 – 11 February 1984) was a British comic actor. He was best known for his roles in ''[[Coronation Street]]'' as Mr Birtles, then as a taxi driver, and later as Wilf Jones, in ''[[Emmerdale Farm]]'' as Ernie Shuttleworth, Les Brandon in ''[[I Didn't Know You Cared]]'', and cafe owner Sid in ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]''.

==Early life==
Born and brought up in [[Stretford]], [[Lancashire]],<ref name=messenger /> Comer gained an [[engineering apprentice]]ship at [[Metropolitan-Vickers]], [[Trafford Park]].<ref name="Ann's Stretford Parish Magazine 2007, Pg14">{{cite news| work=St Ann's Stretford Parish Magazine|date= Christmas 2007|page=14| title=The Comer Brothers}}</ref>

==Early career==

Comer began his career performing a comedy routine around local social clubs and pubs in the 1930s and 1940s.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} In 1952, with his younger brother Tony, he performed in a children's theatre production for local schools in Stretford.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} The siblings then formed a double act named the Comer Brothers.<ref name=messenger /> In 1957, the brothers began a regular slot at the [[Manchester Apollo]], performing a variety act entitled Comer's Cottage.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

[[File:The Comer Brothers.png|thumb|Tony & John Comer, as the Comer Brothers]]

In 1958, the Comer Brothers participated in an ITV talent show called ''Bid for Fame'' and began working for [[Butlin's]].{{citation needed|date=March 2016}} In 1959, they won first prize in the Butlin's National Talent Contest, winning £1,000 and a film contract<ref name=messenger /> with the [[Boulting Brothers]].<ref name="Ann's Stretford Parish Magazine 2007, Pg14"/>

==Success==

In 1959, the [[Boulting brothers]] cast John and Tony Comer in the film ''[[I'm All Right Jack]]'', in which they starred alongside [[Peter Sellers]] and [[Richard Attenborough]] as [[trade union]] [[shop steward]]s. Their next film roles were in 1961, when they featured alongside [[Rita Tushingham]] in ''[[A Taste of Honey (film)|A Taste of Honey]]''. However, shortly afterwards Tony decided to leave showbusiness and returned to full-time work at [[Metropolitan-Vickers]], while John decided to continue pursuing his film career. He appeared in the Boulting Brothers' 1967 film ''[[The Family Way]]'' as a father-of-the-bride to [[Hayley Mills]]'s character, whose father [[John Mills]] portrayed her father-in-law.

He gained a recurring role in 1973 as the primary supporting role of Sid in the new BBC sitcom ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]''. He also starred in a long-running advertising campaign for Home Brew Beer.<ref name="Ann's Stretford Parish Magazine 2007, Pg14"/> In 1977, he appeared as Bill Malley in the BBC series ''Murder Most English''. Comer appeared in an episode of ''[[All Creatures Great and Small (1978 TV series)|All Creatures Great and Small]]'' entitled "The Name of the Game" in 1978.

[[File:Ivy+Sid6635.jpg|thumb|John Comer as Sid with [[Jane Freeman (actress)|Jane Freeman]] as Ivy in ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'']]

==Death==
Comer died of [[Esophageal cancer|throat cancer]] in 1984, at the age of 59.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/help-hospice-in-your-will-1-6125656 | title=Help hospice in your will| work=The Gazette | publisher= Johnston Publishing Ltd. |date=8 October 2013 | location = Blackpool, Lancashire, UK| accessdate= 26 May 2016| archivedate= 26 May 2016|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160526205637/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/help-hospice-in-your-will-1-6125656 | url-status=live}}</ref> The disease had so affected his voice that in his final television appearance, as cafe owner Sid, in the ''Last of the Summer Wine'' [[Christmas]] episode ''[[Last of the Summer Wine (series 7)#ChristmasSpecial1983|Getting Sam Home]]'', his lines had to be dubbed by another actor, [[Tony Melody]]. His funeral was held at [[Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool]], where he is commemorated at rose-bed no. 18. After the death of Comer's wife, Mollie, in 2010, his estate was finalised; in 2013 the Comer family donated £245,000 to the hospice in Blackpool where John Comer was treated before his death.<ref name=messenger>{{cite news| url = http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/whereyoulive/stretfordnews/10345913.Late_Last_of_the_Summer_Wine_actor_s_family_to_donate___245_000_to_cancer_hospice/ | title=Late Last of the Summer Wine actor's family to donate £245,000 to cancer hospice| publisher=[[Messenger Newspapers]]|location=UK|first=Kate|last= Banks|date=11 April 2013|accessdate=28 March 2016|archivedate=17 January 2016| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160117163753/http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/whereyoulive/stretfordnews/10345913.Late_Last_of_the_Summer_Wine_actor_s_family_to_donate___245_000_to_cancer_hospice/ | url-status=live}}</ref>

==Film roles==

{| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1959 || ''[[I'm Alright Jack]]'' || Union Shop Steward ||
|-
| 1960 || ''[[Hell Is a City]]'' || Plainclothes Police Driver || Uncredited
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Heavens Above!]]'' || Butcher ||
|-
| 1964 || ''[[The Counterfeit Constable]]'' || ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Rotten to the Core (film)|Rotten to the Core]]'' || Police Sergeant || Uncredited
|-
| 1966 || ''[[The Family Way]]'' || Leslie Piper ||
|-
| 1968 || ''Happy Deathday'' || Briggs ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[Battle of Britain (film)|Battle of Britain]]'' || Policeman || Uncredited
|-
| 1970 || ''[[There's a Girl in My Soup]]'' || John, the porter ||
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Wuthering Heights (1970 film)|Wuthering Heights]]'' || ||
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Villain (1971 film)|Villain]]'' || Waiter at House of Commons || Uncredited
|-
| 1971 || ''[[Mr. Forbush and the Penguins]]'' || Police Sergeant ||
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Dr. Phibes Rises Again]]'' || Ship's Officer || Uncredited
|-
| 1973 || ''[[The Lovers (TV series)|The Lovers!]]'' || Geoffrey's Dad ||
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Memoirs of a Survivor (film)|Memoirs of a Survivor]]'' || Man delivering Emily ||
|-
|}

==Television roles==

{| class="wikitable"
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1962-63 || ''[[Coronation Street]]'' || Mr. Birtles ||
|-
| 1965 || ''[[Coronation Street]]'' || Taxi Driver ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Pardon the Expression]]'' || Policeman ||
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Turn Out the Lights (TV series)|Turn out the Lights]]'' || Policeman ||
|-
| 1968 || ''[[Coronation Street]]'' || Wilf Jones ||
|-
| 1969 || ''[[The Avengers (TV series)|The Avengers]]'' || Sergeant Groom ||
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Bless This House (British TV series)|Bless This House]]'' || The Landlord ||
|-
| 1973 || ''[[Crown Court (TV series)|Crown Court]]'' || Police Constable || Episode: The mugging of Arthur Simmons
|-
| 1972-1974 || ''[[Play For Today]]'' || Various ||
|-
| 1973 || ''[[All Our Saturdays]]'' || Wilf ||
|-
| 1973-1983 || ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'' || [[Recurring characters in Last of the Summer Wine#Sid|Sid]] || (final appearance)
|-
| 1975 || ''The Life of Riley'' || George Pollitt ||
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Emmerdale Farm]]'' || Ernie Shuttleworth || 3 episodes
|-
| 1975-1979 || ''[[I Didn't Know You Cared]]'' || Les Brandon ||
|-
| 1976-1978 || ''Potter's Picture Palace'' || Sidney Bogart ||
|-
| 1977 || ''Murder Most English'' || Recurring role as a police sergeant ||
|-
| 1977 || ''[[Survivors (1975 TV series)|Survivors]]'' || Les Norton ||
|-
| 1978 || ''[[All Creatures Great and Small (1978 TV series)|All Creatures Great and Small]]'' || Mr. Dimmock ||
|-
| 1980 || ''Nice Work'' || Mr. Blundell ||
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|173747}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/c/comer_john.shtml John Comer] at the [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/ BBC Comedy Guide]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Comer, John}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1984 deaths]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Manchester]]
[[Category:People from Stretford]]
[[Category:Metropolitan-Vickers people]]
[[Category:Bevin Boys]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]
[[Category:Deaths from esophageal cancer]]