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{{short description|English actor (1926–2009)}}
{{short description|English actor (1926–2009)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name                    = Colin Bean
| name                    = Colin Bean
| image                  = Colin Bean.jpg
| image                  = Colin-Bean.jpg
| caption                = Bean as [[Private Sponge]] in ''[[Dad's Army]]''
| caption                =  
| birth_name               =
| birth_name             =
| birth_date               = {{Birth date|1926|4|15|df=yes}}  
| birth_date             = {{Birth date|1926|04|15|df=yes}}  
| birth_place             = [[Wigan]], England
| birth_place             = [[w:Wigan|Wigan]], England
| death_date               = {{Death date and age|2009|6|20|1926|4|15|df=yes}}
| death_date             = {{Death date and age|2009|06|20|1926|04|15|df=yes}}
| death_place             = Wigan, England
| death_place             = Wigan, England
| othername              =
| othername              =
| occupation              = Actor
| occupation              = Actor
| years_active             = 1963–1988
| years_active           = 1963–1988
| spouse                  =
| spouse                  =
| website                =
| website                =
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==Early life==
==Early life==
Born in [[Wigan]], [[Lancashire]], Bean's father played football for local side [[Wigan Borough F.C.|Wigan Borough]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wlct.org/heritage-services/pf32.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-12-29 |archive-date=2016-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301110246/http://www.wlct.org/heritage-services/pf32.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and he attended Wigan Grammar School. Bean's first appearance had been as a shepherd in a school play, and much against paternal intentions, he took up acting professionally until being called up for national service. He served for four years in the [[British Army]] after World War II, spending some time in Japan, and taking the opportunity to continue his acting by joining the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]] (BCOF). After graduating from drama school in 1952, he joined the Sheffield Rep as assistant stage manager; regular theatre work followed.
Born in [[w:Wigan|Wigan]], [[w:Lancashire|Lancashire]], Bean's father played football for local side [[w:Wigan Borough F.C.|Wigan Borough]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wlct.org/heritage-services/pf32.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-12-29 |archive-date=2016-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301110246/http://www.wlct.org/heritage-services/pf32.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and he attended Wigan Grammar School. Bean's first appearance had been as a shepherd in a school play, and much against paternal intentions, he took up acting professionally until being called up for national service. He served for four years in the [[w:British Army|British Army]] after World War II, spending some time in Japan, and taking the opportunity to continue his acting by joining the [[w:British Commonwealth Occupation Force|British Commonwealth Occupation Force]] (BCOF). After graduating from drama school in 1952, he joined the Sheffield Rep as assistant stage manager; regular theatre work followed.


==Career==
==Career==
His work in ''[[Dad's Army]]'' came as a result of working at Watford Rep in 1962 under series co-writer [[Jimmy Perry]] as the company's [[actor-manager]], in addition to almost 20 years of playing a pantomime dame. His role in ''[[Dad's Army]]'' started off relatively small but grew as the series progressed, in 1997 he said ‘by the time of [[The Miser's Hoard]] I’d ended up on the front row of the platoon, it was a lovely feeling. Instead of peering and smirking over Jones’ shoulder, I was on the front line. It was very satisfying.’<ref>{{Cite book|last=Webber|first=Richard|title=Dad's Army A Celebration|publisher=Virgin|year=1997}}</ref> His TV appearances were varied, including ''[[Z-Cars]]'', ''[[The Gnomes of Dulwich]]'', ''[[The Liver Birds]]'', 13 episodes of ''[[Michael Bentine|Michael Bentine Time]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dadsarmy.co.uk/othercharacters.html#Bean |title=OtherCharacters |publisher=Dadsarmy.co.uk |access-date=2012-12-29}}</ref> ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'', and the penultimate episode of ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1988).
His work in ''[[Dad's Army]]'' came as a result of working at Watford Rep in 1962 under series co-writer [[Jimmy Perry]] as the company's [[w:actor-manager|actor-manager]], in addition to almost 20 years of playing a pantomime dame. His role in ''[[Dad's Army]]'' started off relatively small but grew as the series progressed, in 1997 he said ‘by the time of [[The Miser's Hoard]] I’d ended up on the front row of the platoon, it was a lovely feeling. Instead of peering and smirking over Jones’ shoulder, I was on the front line. It was very satisfying.’<ref>{{Cite book|last=Webber|first=Richard|title=Dad's Army A Celebration|publisher=Virgin|year=1997}}</ref> His TV appearances were varied, including ''[[w:Z-Cars|Z-Cars]]'', ''[[The Gnomes of Dulwich]]'', ''[[The Liver Birds]]'', 13 episodes of ''[[Michael Bentine|Michael Bentine Time]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dadsarmy.co.uk/othercharacters.html#Bean |title=OtherCharacters |publisher=Dadsarmy.co.uk |access-date=2012-12-29}}</ref> ''[[Are You Being Served?]]'', and the penultimate episode of ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1988).


Due to his arthritis, in his later years he concentrated on his radio work. He wrote his autobiography, ''Who Do You Think You Are Kidding!'', which was published in 1998 and went into two editions.
Due to his arthritis, in his later years he concentrated on his radio work. He wrote his autobiography, ''Who Do You Think You Are Kidding!'', which was published in 1998 and went into two editions.


Though using a wheelchair in his later years, he continued to make sporadic appearances on stage in the North West of England discussing his long acting career. He was also a regular at ''[[Dad's Army]]'' reunions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pearce |first=James |url=http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/bean/3101081 |title=Colin Bean : Obituary - ThisIsAnnouncements |publisher=Lastingtribute.co.uk |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904014632/http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/bean/3101081 |archive-date=September 4, 2009 }}</ref> He continued to live in the Scholes area of his native Wigan until his death, aged 83, in [[Royal Albert Edward Infirmary|Wigan Infirmary]], on 20 June 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Dads-Army-actor-Colin-Bean.5388095.jp|title=Dad's Army actor Colin Bean dies, 82|publisher=wigantoday.net|date=2009-06-22|access-date=2009-06-22|archive-date=2009-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626063753/http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Dads-Army-actor-Colin-Bean.5388095.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Though using a wheelchair in his later years, he continued to make sporadic appearances on stage in the North West of England discussing his long acting career. He was also a regular at ''[[Dad's Army]]'' reunions.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pearce |first=James |url=http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/bean/3101081 |title=Colin Bean : Obituary - ThisIsAnnouncements |publisher=Lastingtribute.co.uk |access-date=2012-12-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904014632/http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/bean/3101081 |archive-date=September 4, 2009 }}</ref> He continued to live in the Scholes area of his native Wigan until his death, aged 83, in [[w:Royal Albert Edward Infirmary|Wigan Infirmary]], on 20 June 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Dads-Army-actor-Colin-Bean.5388095.jp|title=Dad's Army actor Colin Bean dies, 82|publisher=wigantoday.net|date=2009-06-22|access-date=2009-06-22|archive-date=2009-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626063753/http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Dads-Army-actor-Colin-Bean.5388095.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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|-
|-
|1955
|1955
|[[Red Riding Hood 1955|''Red Riding Hood'']]
|[[w:Red Riding Hood 1955|''Red Riding Hood'']]
|King Wolf
|King Wolf
|TV film
|TV film
|-
|-
|1961
|1961
|[[Richard the Lionheart (TV series)|''Richard the Lionheart'']]
|[[w:Richard the Lionheart (TV series)|''Richard the Lionheart'']]
|Yeoman
|Yeoman
|Episode: ''School for a King''
|Episode: ''School for a King''
|-
|-
| 1963 || ''[[Z Cars]]'' || Mr Cowpe || Episode: ''Members Only''
| 1963 || ''[[w:Z Cars|Z Cars]]'' || Mr Cowpe || Episode: ''Members Only''
|-
|-
|1966
|1966
|''[[No Hiding Place]]''
|''[[w:No Hiding Place|No Hiding Place]]''
|Det Sgt Parsons
|Det Sgt Parsons
|Episode: ''It Isn’t Just The Money...''
|Episode: ''It Isn’t Just The Money...''
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|3 episodes  
|3 episodes  
|-
|-
|''[[Gold robbers]]''
|''[[w:Gold robbers|Gold robbers]]''
|Prison Imate
|Prison Imate
|Episode: ''Dog'' ''eat'' ''Dog''
|Episode: ''Dog'' ''eat'' ''Dog''
|-
|-
|''[[Harry Worth Show]]''
|''[[Harry Worth|Harry Worth Show]]''
|Policeman
|Policeman
|
|
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|
|
|-
|-
| ''[[The First Churchills]]'' || Lord Russell || 2 episodes
| ''[[w:The First Churchills|The First Churchills]]'' || Lord Russell || 2 episodes
|-
|-
| ''[[Broaden Your Mind]]'' || Various roles || 3 episodes
| ''[[w:Broaden Your Mind|Broaden Your Mind]]'' || Various roles || 3 episodes
|-
|-
|1970
|1970
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|-
|-
|1971
|1971
|''[[Now Take My Wife]]''
|''[[w:Now Take My Wife|Now Take My Wife]]''
|Dirty Macintosh Man
|Dirty Macintosh Man
|
|
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| 1971-72 || ''[[The Liver Birds]]'' || First speaker/Police constable || 2 episodes
| 1971-72 || ''[[The Liver Birds]]'' || First speaker/Police constable || 2 episodes
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1972 || ''[[His Lordship Entertains]]'' || || Episode: ''The Safari Park''
| rowspan="2" | 1972 || ''[[w:His Lordship Entertains|His Lordship Entertains]]'' || || Episode: ''The Safari Park''
|-
|-
|''Scott on Language''
|''Scott on Language''
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|-
|-
|1976
|1976
|[[Fallen Hero (TV series)|''Fallen Hero'']]
|[[w:Fallen Hero (TV series)|''Fallen Hero'']]
|Loud Supporter
|Loud Supporter
|
|
|-
|-
|1980
|1980
|''[[Cousin Phillis]]''
|''[[w:Cousin Phillis|Cousin Phillis]]''
|Robinson
|Robinson
|
|
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| ''Ladykillers'' || Clerk of Court || Episode: ''A Smile is Sometimes Worth a Million Dollars''
| ''Ladykillers'' || Clerk of Court || Episode: ''A Smile is Sometimes Worth a Million Dollars''
|-
|-
| ''[[Cribb]]'' || Police constable || Episode: ''Invitation to a Dynamite Party''
| ''[[w:Cribb|Cribb]]'' || Police constable || Episode: ''Invitation to a Dynamite Party''
|-
|-
|1983
|1983
|[[Crown Court (TV series)|''Crown Court'']]
|[[w:Crown Court (TV series)|''Crown Court'']]
|Foreman of the Jury
|Foreman of the Jury
|
|
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|TV film
|TV film
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Jossy's Giants]]'' || || Episode: ''The Siege of St James'''
| 1986 || ''[[w:Jossy's Giants|Jossy's Giants]]'' || || Episode: ''The Siege of St James'''
|-
|-
|1988
|1988
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* [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/colin-bean-actor-best-known-for-playing-private-sponge-in-lsquodadrsquos-armyrsquo-1723089.html Obituary in ''The Independent'']
* [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/colin-bean-actor-best-known-for-playing-private-sponge-in-lsquodadrsquos-armyrsquo-1723089.html Obituary in ''The Independent'']
* [https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/aug/24/colin-bean-obituary Obituary in ''The Guardian'']
* [https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/aug/24/colin-bean-obituary Obituary in ''The Guardian'']
* [http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba5255da8 Colin Bean] [[British Film Institute|BFI]]
* {{BFI|4ce2ba5255da8|Colin Bean}}
 
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bean, Colin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bean, Colin}}

Latest revision as of 15:35, 22 December 2022

Colin Bean
Colin-Bean.jpg
Born(1926-04-15)15 April 1926
Wigan, England
Died20 June 2009(2009-06-20) (aged 83)
Wigan, England
OccupationActor
Years active1963–1988

Colin Bean (15 April 1926 – 20 June 2009)[1] was an English actor. He was best known for his role as Private Sponge in the BBC comedy series Dad's Army.

Early life

Born in Wigan, Lancashire, Bean's father played football for local side Wigan Borough,[2] and he attended Wigan Grammar School. Bean's first appearance had been as a shepherd in a school play, and much against paternal intentions, he took up acting professionally until being called up for national service. He served for four years in the British Army after World War II, spending some time in Japan, and taking the opportunity to continue his acting by joining the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF). After graduating from drama school in 1952, he joined the Sheffield Rep as assistant stage manager; regular theatre work followed.

Career

His work in Dad's Army came as a result of working at Watford Rep in 1962 under series co-writer Jimmy Perry as the company's actor-manager, in addition to almost 20 years of playing a pantomime dame. His role in Dad's Army started off relatively small but grew as the series progressed, in 1997 he said ‘by the time of The Miser's Hoard I’d ended up on the front row of the platoon, it was a lovely feeling. Instead of peering and smirking over Jones’ shoulder, I was on the front line. It was very satisfying.’[3] His TV appearances were varied, including Z-Cars, The Gnomes of Dulwich, The Liver Birds, 13 episodes of Michael Bentine Time,[4] Are You Being Served?, and the penultimate episode of Hi-de-Hi! (1988).

Due to his arthritis, in his later years he concentrated on his radio work. He wrote his autobiography, Who Do You Think You Are Kidding!, which was published in 1998 and went into two editions.

Though using a wheelchair in his later years, he continued to make sporadic appearances on stage in the North West of England discussing his long acting career. He was also a regular at Dad's Army reunions.[5] He continued to live in the Scholes area of his native Wigan until his death, aged 83, in Wigan Infirmary, on 20 June 2009.[6]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1955 Red Riding Hood King Wolf TV film
1961 Richard the Lionheart Yeoman Episode: School for a King
1963 Z Cars Mr Cowpe Episode: Members Only
1966 No Hiding Place Det Sgt Parsons Episode: It Isn’t Just The Money...
1968-77 Dad's Army Private Sponge Recurring role in 76 episodes[7]
1969 The Gnomes of Dulwich Various roles 3 episodes
Gold robbers Prison Imate Episode: Dog eat Dog
Harry Worth Show Policeman
The Goodies Knight
The First Churchills Lord Russell 2 episodes
Broaden Your Mind Various roles 3 episodes
1970 Up Pompeii! Centurion
1971 Now Take My Wife Dirty Macintosh Man
1971-72 The Liver Birds First speaker/Police constable 2 episodes
1972 His Lordship Entertains Episode: The Safari Park
Scott on Language Indian Chief
1973 Elementary My Dear Watson Aged newseller
Michael Bentine Time Various roles 13 episodes
Are You Being Served? Leatherette Gloves
1976-78 Potter’s Picture Palace Vicar 3 episodes
1976 Fallen Hero Loud Supporter
1980 Cousin Phillis Robinson
1981 Ladykillers Clerk of Court Episode: A Smile is Sometimes Worth a Million Dollars
Cribb Police constable Episode: Invitation to a Dynamite Party
1983 Crown Court Foreman of the Jury
1985 Good as Gold His Worship the Mayor TV film
1986 Jossy's Giants Episode: The Siege of St James'
1988 Hi-de-Hi! Verger

References

  1. ^ "Colin Bean: Actor best known for playing Private Sponge in 'Dad's Army'". The Independent. London. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2010.
  2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-01. Retrieved 2012-12-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ Webber, Richard (1997). Dad's Army A Celebration. Virgin.
  4. ^ "OtherCharacters". Dadsarmy.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  5. ^ Pearce, James. "Colin Bean : Obituary - ThisIsAnnouncements". Lastingtribute.co.uk. Archived from the original on September 4, 2009. Retrieved 2012-12-29.
  6. ^ "Dad's Army actor Colin Bean dies, 82". wigantoday.net. 2009-06-22. Archived from the original on 2009-06-26. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  7. ^ The Independent obituary.

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.thegoonshow.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Colin_Bean&oldid=28747"