Percy Edwards - Revision history

Kurt: /* Biography */

2024-07-19T00:57:24Z

Biography

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 18 July 2024
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	As a child, Edwards was fascinated by the wildlife he found in his local area, and by the age of 12 was accomplished enough at imitating many of them that this became his "[[w:party piece\|party piece]]".<ref name=":0" />		As a child, Edwards was fascinated by the wildlife he found in his local area, and by the age of 12 was accomplished enough at imitating many of them that this became his "[[w:party piece\|party piece]]".<ref name=":0" />

	In 1930 he debuted on the [[w:BBC]\|] radio series ''Vaudeville'', the start of a career that would last the best part of 60 years. During [[w:World War II\|World War II]], Edwards worked at [[w:Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies\|Ransomes]] in [[w:Ipswich\|Ipswich]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729052638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2012-07-29\|title=WW2 People's War - Joan Whitson\|publisher=BBC History\|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref>		In 1930 he debuted on the [[BBC]] radio series ''Vaudeville'', the start of a career that would last the best part of 60 years. During [[w:World War II\|World War II]], Edwards worked at [[w:Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies\|Ransomes]] in [[w:Ipswich\|Ipswich]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729052638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2012-07-29\|title=WW2 People's War - Joan Whitson\|publisher=BBC History\|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref>

	Edwards became a household name after his animal imitations in the radio shows ''Ray's a Laugh'' with [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]], and playing Psyche the dog in the radio series ''A Life of Bliss.'' It was said that at the height of his career he could accurately imitate over 600 birds, as well as many other animals. Among other things, he provided the voices for the [[orca]]s in [[Orca (1977 film)\|Orca]] (1977), the [[Reindeer]] in ''[[Santa Claus: The Movie]]'' (1985), sheep and bird sounds on [[Kate Bush]]'s song ''[[The Dreaming (song)\|The Dreaming]]'', and the [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)\|alien]] in the [[Alien (film)\|film of the same name]]. Edwards appeared occasionally on BBC TV's pre-school series ''[[Play School (British TV series)\|Play School]]'' as a storyteller, in 1967 and from 1973 through 1980. One of his last stage appearances was in the [[Grand Order of Water Rats]] centenary show at the [[London Palladium]] in 1989.		Edwards became a household name after his animal imitations in the radio shows ''[[Ray's a Laugh]]'' with [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]], and playing Psyche the dog in the radio series ''A Life of Bliss.'' It was said that at the height of his career he could accurately imitate over 600 birds, as well as many other animals. Among other things, he provided the voices for the [[orca]]s in [[Orca (1977 film)\|Orca]] (1977), the [[Reindeer]] in ''[[Santa Claus: The Movie]]'' (1985), sheep and bird sounds on [[Kate Bush]]'s song ''[[The Dreaming (song)\|The Dreaming]]'', and the [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)\|alien]] in the [[Alien (film)\|film of the same name]]. Edwards appeared occasionally on BBC TV's pre-school series ''[[Play School (British TV series)\|Play School]]'' as a storyteller, in 1967 and from 1973 through 1980. One of his last stage appearances was in the [[Grand Order of Water Rats]] centenary show at the [[London Palladium]] in 1989.

	Edwards was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in 1993 for services to ornithology and entertainment.<ref name=":0">{{cite web\|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0250272/bio \|title=Percy Edwards - Biography \|publisher=Imdb.com \|date= \|accessdate=2009-03-04}}</ref>		Edwards was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in 1993 for services to ornithology and entertainment.<ref name=":0">{{cite web\|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0250272/bio \|title=Percy Edwards - Biography \|publisher=Imdb.com \|date= \|accessdate=2009-03-04}}</ref>

	Although he always referred to himself as an entertainer, Edwards was a fellow of the [[Zoological Society of London]], and a respected and published ornithologist.~~{{citation needed\|date=December 2012}}~~		Although he always referred to himself as an entertainer, Edwards was a fellow of the [[Zoological Society of London]], and a respected and published ornithologist.

	In 2009, [[David Attenborough\|Sir David Attenborough]] presented a special BBC radio panel game, ''The Percy Edwards Showdown'', dedicated to Edwards's life and career.<ref name="showdown"/>		In 2009, [[David Attenborough\|Sir David Attenborough]] presented a special BBC radio panel game, ''The Percy Edwards Showdown'', dedicated to Edwards's life and career.<ref name="showdown"/>

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-18T20:08:29Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:08, 18 January 2023
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	*{{IMDb name\|id=0250272\|name=Percy Edwards}}		*{{IMDb name\|id=0250272\|name=Percy Edwards}}
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081023132234/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/109472?view=credit Percy Edwards at the BFI dBase]		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081023132234/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/109472?view=credit Percy Edwards at the BFI dBase]

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Percy}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Percy}}

Kurt at 18:00, 22 December 2022

2022-12-22T18:00:25Z

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	\| death_cause =		\| death_cause =
	\| occupation =		\| occupation =
	\| known_for = Animal impersonator, entertainer, [[ornithologist]]		\| known_for = Animal impersonator, entertainer, [[w:ornithologist\|ornithologist]]
	\| title =		\| title =
	\| children =		\| children =

Kurt at 17:59, 22 December 2022

2022-12-22T17:59:02Z

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	\| spouse =		\| spouse =
	}}		}}
	'''Percy Edwards''' {{post-nominals\|MBE}} (1 June 1908 – 7 June 1996)<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Gifford \|first1=Denis \|title=Obituary: Percy Edwards \|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-percy-edwards-1336419.html \|access-date=2022-04-29 \|work=The Independent \|date=1996-06-10}}</ref> was an English animal impersonator,<ref name="showdown">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00htwx7 \|publisher=BBC \|title = Percy Edwards Showdown \|date=4 March 2009}}</ref> entertainer and [[ornithologist]].		'''Percy Edwards''' {{post-nominals\|MBE}} (1 June 1908 – 7 June 1996)<ref>{{cite news \|last1=Gifford \|first1=Denis \|title=Obituary: Percy Edwards \|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-percy-edwards-1336419.html \|access-date=2022-04-29 \|work=The Independent \|date=1996-06-10}}</ref> was an English animal impersonator,<ref name="showdown">{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00htwx7 \|publisher=BBC \|title = Percy Edwards Showdown \|date=4 March 2009}}</ref> entertainer and [[w:ornithologist\|ornithologist]].

	==Biography==		==Biography==

Kurt at 17:58, 22 December 2022

2022-12-22T17:58:40Z

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	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=April 2022}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Percy Edwards		\| name = Percy Edwards
	\| honorific suffix = [[Order of the British Empire\|MBE]]		\| honorific suffix = [[w:Order of the British Empire\|MBE]]
	\| image = Percy Edwards ~~MBE~~.~~png~~		\| image = Percy Edwards.jpg
	\| caption = ~~Percy Edwards on ''[[Morecambe and Wise]]''~~		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1908\|6\|1\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1908\|6\|1\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Ipswich]], [[Suffolk]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Ipswich\|Ipswich]], [[w:Suffolk\|Suffolk]], England
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1996\|6\|7\|1908\|6\|1\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|1996\|06\|07\|1908\|06\|01\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[Hintlesham]], Suffolk, England		\| death_place = [[w:Hintlesham\|Hintlesham]], Suffolk, England
	\| death_cause =		\| death_cause =
	\| occupation =		\| occupation =
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	==Biography==		==Biography==
	As a child, Edwards was fascinated by the wildlife he found in his local area, and by the age of 12 was accomplished enough at imitating many of them that this became his "[[party piece]]".<ref name=":0" />		As a child, Edwards was fascinated by the wildlife he found in his local area, and by the age of 12 was accomplished enough at imitating many of them that this became his "[[w:party piece\|party piece]]".<ref name=":0" />

	In 1930 he debuted on the [[BBC]] radio series ''Vaudeville'', the start of a career that would last the best part of 60 years. During [[World War II]], Edwards worked at [[Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies]] in [[Ipswich]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729052638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2012-07-29\|title=WW2 People's War - Joan Whitson\|publisher=BBC History\|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref>		In 1930 he debuted on the [[w:BBC]\|] radio series ''Vaudeville'', the start of a career that would last the best part of 60 years. During [[w:World War II\|World War II]], Edwards worked at [[w:Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies\|Ransomes]] in [[w:Ipswich\|Ipswich]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729052638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=2012-07-29\|title=WW2 People's War - Joan Whitson\|publisher=BBC History\|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref>

	Edwards became a household name after his animal imitations in the radio shows ''Ray's a Laugh'' with [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]], and playing Psyche the dog in the radio series ''A Life of Bliss.'' It was said that at the height of his career he could accurately imitate over 600 birds, as well as many other animals. Among other things, he provided the voices for the [[orca]]s in [[Orca (1977 film)\|Orca]] (1977), the [[Reindeer]] in ''[[Santa Claus: The Movie]]'' (1985), sheep and bird sounds on [[Kate Bush]]'s song ''[[The Dreaming (song)\|The Dreaming]]'', and the [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)\|alien]] in the [[Alien (film)\|film of the same name]]. Edwards appeared occasionally on BBC TV's pre-school series ''[[Play School (British TV series)\|Play School]]'' as a storyteller, in 1967 and from 1973 through 1980. One of his last stage appearances was in the [[Grand Order of Water Rats]] centenary show at the [[London Palladium]] in 1989.		Edwards became a household name after his animal imitations in the radio shows ''Ray's a Laugh'' with [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]], and playing Psyche the dog in the radio series ''A Life of Bliss.'' It was said that at the height of his career he could accurately imitate over 600 birds, as well as many other animals. Among other things, he provided the voices for the [[orca]]s in [[Orca (1977 film)\|Orca]] (1977), the [[Reindeer]] in ''[[Santa Claus: The Movie]]'' (1985), sheep and bird sounds on [[Kate Bush]]'s song ''[[The Dreaming (song)\|The Dreaming]]'', and the [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)\|alien]] in the [[Alien (film)\|film of the same name]]. Edwards appeared occasionally on BBC TV's pre-school series ''[[Play School (British TV series)\|Play School]]'' as a storyteller, in 1967 and from 1973 through 1980. One of his last stage appearances was in the [[Grand Order of Water Rats]] centenary show at the [[London Palladium]] in 1989.

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-12-21T21:40:46Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:40, 21 December 2022
(No difference)

en>Berserker276: /* External links */

2022-09-25T01:22:36Z

External links

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Percy Edwards
| honorific suffix = [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]
| image = Percy Edwards MBE.png
| caption = Percy Edwards on ''[[Morecambe and Wise]]''
| birth_date = {{birth date|1908|6|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Ipswich]], [[Suffolk]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|1996|6|7|1908|6|1|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Hintlesham]], Suffolk, England
| death_cause =
| occupation =
| known_for = Animal impersonator, entertainer, [[ornithologist]]
| title =
| children =
| spouse =
}}
'''Percy Edwards''' {{post-nominals|MBE}} (1 June 1908 – 7 June 1996)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gifford |first1=Denis |title=Obituary: Percy Edwards |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-percy-edwards-1336419.html |access-date=2022-04-29 |work=The Independent |date=1996-06-10}}</ref> was an English animal impersonator,<ref name="showdown">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00htwx7 |publisher=BBC |title = Percy Edwards Showdown |date=4 March 2009}}</ref> entertainer and [[ornithologist]].

==Biography==
As a child, Edwards was fascinated by the wildlife he found in his local area, and by the age of 12 was accomplished enough at imitating many of them that this became his "[[party piece]]".<ref name=":0" />

In 1930 he debuted on the [[BBC]] radio series ''Vaudeville'', the start of a career that would last the best part of 60 years. During [[World War II]], Edwards worked at [[Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies]] in [[Ipswich]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729052638/http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/20/a2811520.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-07-29|title=WW2 People's War - Joan Whitson|publisher=BBC History|accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref>

Edwards became a household name after his animal imitations in the radio shows ''Ray's a Laugh'' with [[Ted Ray (comedian)|Ted Ray]], and playing Psyche the dog in the radio series ''A Life of Bliss.'' It was said that at the height of his career he could accurately imitate over 600 birds, as well as many other animals. Among other things, he provided the voices for the [[orca]]s in [[Orca (1977 film)|Orca]] (1977), the [[Reindeer]] in ''[[Santa Claus: The Movie]]'' (1985), sheep and bird sounds on [[Kate Bush]]'s song ''[[The Dreaming (song)|The Dreaming]]'', and the [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|alien]] in the [[Alien (film)|film of the same name]]. Edwards appeared occasionally on BBC TV's pre-school series ''[[Play School (British TV series)|Play School]]'' as a storyteller, in 1967 and from 1973 through 1980. One of his last stage appearances was in the [[Grand Order of Water Rats]] centenary show at the [[London Palladium]] in 1989.

Edwards was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in 1993 for services to ornithology and entertainment.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0250272/bio |title=Percy Edwards - Biography |publisher=Imdb.com |date= |accessdate=2009-03-04}}</ref>

Although he always referred to himself as an entertainer, Edwards was a fellow of the [[Zoological Society of London]], and a respected and published ornithologist.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

In 2009, [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]] presented a special BBC radio panel game, ''The Percy Edwards Showdown'', dedicated to Edwards's life and career.<ref name="showdown"/>

He is buried in the churchyard of St Mary's, [[Polstead]], Suffolk.
[[File:The grave of Percy Edwards in the churchyard of St Mary, Polstead, Suffolk.jpg|thumb|The grave of Percy Edwards in the churchyard of St Mary, [[Polstead]], Suffolk]]

==Filmography==
:''NB: Edwards worked purely as a [[voice artist]] unless otherwise stated''

===1960s===
*''[[A Life of Bliss]]'' (1960, TV Series) - Psyche, fox terrier (voice)
*''[[The Deadly Bees]]'' (1966) - Tess the Dog (voice, uncredited)

===1970s===
*''[[UFO (TV series)|UFO]]'' (1971, TV Series) - (voice)
*''[[The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer]]'' (1970) - Bird impersonator
*''[[On the Buses]]'' (1971, TV Series) - Bird impressions by (voice)
*''[[The Morecambe & Wise Show (1968–1977)|The Morecambe and Wise Show]]'' (1972, TV Series) - Jungle Sounds
*''[[The Good Life (1975 TV series)|The Good Life]]'' (1976, TV Series) - Animal Noises (voice)
*''[[Ripping Yarns]]'' (1977, TV Series) - Frog Noises (uncredited)
*''[[The Goodies (TV series)|The Goodies]]'' (1977, TV Series) - The Dodo (voice)
*''[[Just William]]'' (1977, TV Series) - Parrots (voice)
*''[[Orca (1977 film)|Orca]]'' (1977) - (whale vocalisations) (uncredited)
*''[[The Innes Book of Records]]'' (1979, TV Series) - Himself
*''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' (1979) - (vocal effects for the alien and facehugger)

===1980s===
*''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1981, TV Series) - Bubbles (voice)
*''[[The Island of Adventure]]'' (1982) - Kiki (voice)
*''[[The Plague Dogs (film)|The Plague Dogs]]'' (1982) - (various animal vocal effects including Rowf and Snitter's barks) (voice)
*''[[The Dark Crystal]]'' (1982) - Fizzgig (voice)
*''[[Fair Ground!]]'' (1983, TV Series) - Captain Cutlass's Voice (voice)
*''[[Hilary (film)|Hilary]]'' (1984-1985, TV Series) - Arthur (voice)
*''Buttercup Buskers'' (1984) - Narrator
*''[[Santa Claus: The Movie]]'' (1985) - (voice)
*''[[Valhalla (1986 film)|Valhalla]]'' (1986) - (Danish version, voice)
*''[[Sorry! (TV series)|Sorry!]]'' (1986, TV Series) - The Duck (voice)
*''[[Labyrinth (1986 film)|Labyrinth]]'' (1986) - Ambrosius (voice)

==Bibliography==
* ''Call Me at Dawn'' (1948)
* ''The Birdman's Pocket Book'' (1954)
* ''The Road I Travelled'' (1979)
* ''Country Book'' (c.1980)
* ''Song Birds'' (1986)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0250272|name=Percy Edwards}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081023132234/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/109472?view=credit Percy Edwards at the BFI dBase]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Percy}}
[[Category:1908 births]]
[[Category:1996 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century British zoologists]]
[[Category:Animal impersonators]]
[[Category:English ornithologists]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Scientists from Ipswich]]
[[Category:Entertainers from Ipswich]]
[[Category:Burials in Suffolk]]