[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/Jump to content

Nicholas Lyndhurst

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nicholas Lyndhurst
Lyndhurst in 2020
Born
Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst

(1961-04-20) 20 April 1961 (age 63)
Gosport, Hampshire, England
Other names
  • Nick Lyndhurst
  • Nicky Lyndhurst
EducationEast Wittering Primary School
Alma materCorona Theatre School
OccupationActor
Years active1973–present
Known forRole of Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003)
Television
Spouse
Lucy Smith
(m. 1999)
ChildrenArchie Lyndhurst
RelativesFrancis Lyndhurst (paternal grandfather)
Signature

Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst (born 20 April 1961) is an English actor. He began his career as a child actor and is best known for his role as Rodney Trotter in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003). He was cast as Professor Alan Cornwall in the revival of the American sitcom Frasier (2023–present).

Lyndhurst had major roles in other sitcoms, including as Raymond Fletcher in Going Straight (1978), as Adam Parkinson in Butterflies (1978–1983), as Ashley Phillips in The Two of Us (1986–1990), as Peter "Piglet" Chapman in The Piglet Files (1990–1992), as Gary Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart (1993–1999, 2016), and as Jimmy Venables in After You've Gone (2007–2008). He starred as Freddie Robdal in the comedy-drama series Rock & Chips (2010–2011) and co-starred as Danny Griffin in the police procedural series New Tricks (2013–2015).

Lyndhurst won two National Television Awards for his role in Goodnight Sweetheart, as well as being nominated for a British Comedy Award and three British Academy Television Awards for his role in Only Fools and Horses.

Early life

[edit]

Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst[1][2] was born in Gosport, Hampshire, England on 20 April 1961,[3] as the only child to Anthony Arthur Joseph "Joe" Lyndhurst (1924–2000) and Elizabeth M "Liz" (née Long; 1934–2009).[4] He grew up in Emsworth.[5] His parents met at the holiday camp on the farm owned by his paternal grandfather, Francis Lyndhurst (1878–1952), a theatrical scenery painter, film producer and film director, who set up an early film studio at Shoreham Fort, Shoreham-by-Sea.[6] His grandfather died three years prior to his grandson's birth. His parents separated when he was young, reuniting and separating permanently later on. His father, Joe, had had an affair and started a family with another woman, Yvonne Beryl Elsmore (1924–2008), by the time his son was eight, leaving his son and the mother of his child "poverty-stricken".[4]

Lyndhurst attended East Wittering Primary School.[7] He then attended the Corona Theatre School in Hammersmith, London,[8] where his friends included Lisa Vanderpump.[9]

Career

[edit]

Lyndhurst made his debut as an actor with the uncredited role of Shot Cabin Boy in the historical drama film Bequest to the Nation, which was released on 25 April 1973. He appeared in various television advertisements and children's films during the 1970s[10] before gaining the starring role of Tom Canty/Prince Edward in a BBC Television version of The Prince and the Pauper,[11] directed by Barry Letts and broadcast in January 1976.[12] He gained increased national recognition two years later in two BBC sitcom roles - Raymond Fletcher, the teenage son of Ronnie Barker's Norman Stanley Fletcher in Going Straight,[11] and Adam Parkinson, a son of Wendy Craig and Geoffrey Palmer in Carla Lane's Butterflies.[11]

Lyndhurst achieved his best-known role in another BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses,[13] created and written by John Sullivan, in which he played Rodney Trotter, the younger brother of the main character, Derek "Del Boy" Trotter, played by David Jason.[14] Only Fools and Horses was first aired in 1981 and increased in popularity until it reached it peak in 1996 with its Christmas Day show in the UK. In a BBC poll in 2004 it was voted Britain's Best Sitcom by television viewers.[15] He appeared in the show from the start until its final airing at Christmas 2003.[citation needed]

Lyndhurst had a minor part in the 1986 film Sky Bandits. The film went straight to video and was never seen in British cinemas. During the mid-1980s and 90s, he also played Ashley Phillips in ITV's The Two of Us, which co-starred Janet Dibley, and MI5 agent Peter "Piglet" Chapman in The Piglet Files, as well as in a number of stage performances.[10]

Lyndhurst played the lead character of Gary Sparrow in the time-travelling sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart between 1993 and 1999.[16] At around the same time, he was the face and voice of the TV and radio advertisements for the telecommunications chain Peoples Phone. He said that he declined an opportunity to play the lead of Gary in the 1997 British film The Full Monty.[17]

Lyndhurst was the public face of the stationery story WH Smith between 1997 and 1999, starring in their adverts as all four members of one family. He won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award for his acting in the adverts.[11] In 1999, he played the villainous Uriah Heep opposite Daniel Radcliffe and Dame Maggie Smith in David Copperfield.[18]

Lyndhurst joined the cast as a regular in the BBC police procedural series New Tricks in 2013, alongside Dennis Waterman and Tamzin Outhwaite.[19][20]

Lyndhurst revived his Goodnight Sweetheart character, Gary Sparrow, in a one-off special episode, which was aired on 2 September 2016.[16]

Lyndhurst played the role of Star Keeper in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel at the English National Opera in 2019.[21] He played the Governor/Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha for English National Opera at the London Coliseum in 2019, opposite Kelsey Grammer as Cervantes/Quixote, Danielle de Niese as Aldonza/Dulcinea and Peter Polycarpou as Sancho.[22]

Lyndhurst appeared as Johnny in an episode of the CBBC sitcom So Awkward, alongside his son, the late actor Archie Lyndhurst. The episode, "Awardatarian", was broadcast on 19 September 2019, having originally been released on BBC iPlayer on 12 September 2019.[23]

Lyndhurst and his son on the set of So Awkward in 2018

Lyndhurst was cast as Professor Alan Cornwall in the new Frasier series in January 2023.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Lyndhurst married Lucy Jane Smith[25][26] (born 19 April 1973), a former ballet dancer, in a secret ceremony at St Mary's Church in Chichester, West Sussex on 1 September 1999, having been engaged since 1990.[27] The Reverend David Parker, rector of St Mary's Church, said the 40-minute ceremony took the form of a "traditional Church of England service".[28][29]

Lyndhurst on his wedding day to Smith in 1999

Lyndhurst and Smith's only child,[30] a son, Archie Bjorn Lyndhurst,[31] was born in Westminster, Greater London on 4 October 2000.[32][33] Archie was an actor and designer, who was best known for his role of Oliver 'Ollie' Coulton in the CBBC sitcom So Awkward.[34][35] Their son died in his sleep from a brain hemorrhage caused by acute lymphoblastic leukemia[36][37] at the family home in Fulham, Greater London on 22 September 2020, aged 19.[38][39][40] In a statement, he said he and his wife were "utterly grief stricken and respectfully request privacy."[41]

Lyndhurst with his son and wife in 2017

Lyndhurst and his wife now reside in West Wittering, West Sussex.[42]

Lyndhurst enjoys underwater diving, beekeeping and piloting his own aeroplanes.[43]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1973 Bequest to the Nation Shot Cabin Boy Uncredited
1983 Bullshot Nobby Clark
1986 Sky Bandits Chalky
2005 Lassie Buckle
2016 A United Kingdom George Williams

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1974 Heidi Peter 4 episodes
1975 Anne of Avonlea Davy Keith 6 episodes
1976 The Prince and the Pauper Edward Prince of Wales, Tom Canty 6 episodes
1976 Peter Pan Tootles Television film, credited as; Nicky Lyndhurst
1978 Going Straight Raymond Fletcher 4 episodes
1978 The Tomorrow People Karl Brandt 2 episodes
1978 Playhouse Westbrook Episode: "Losing Her"
1978 Play of the Week Brian Grant Episode: "Fairies"
1978–1983 Butterflies Adam Parkinson 28 episodes
1979 Father's Day Philip Rice-Davies Television film
1979 Two People Matthew 2 episodes
1980 The Dick Emery Show Episode: "Episode #18.2"
1980 To Serve Them All My Days Dobson 4 episodes
1981 Spearhead Private Wilson 4 episodes
1981–2003 Only Fools and Horses Rodney Trotter 64 episodes
1982 Arena Dennis Episode: "A Genius Like US: A Portrait of Joe Orton"
1982 Play for Today Policeman Episode: "A Mother Like Him"
1982 Only Fools and Horses: Christmas Trees Rodney Trotter Short film
1982 The Funny Side of Christmas Rodney Trotter, Adam Parkinson Television film
1983 It'll All Be Over in Half an Hour Various 3 episodes
1983 Michael Barrymore 1 episode
1984 Only Fools and Horses: License to Drill Rodney Trotter Video
1984 Slimming Down Sebastian Television film
1984 Haunted Jack (voice) Video
1984 Round and Round Patrick Episode: "Sex"
1984 Haunted: Tales of the Supernatural Jack Podcast series, Episode: "Channel Crossing"
1984–1985 The Lenny Henry Show Various 3 episodes, credited as; Nick Lyndhurst
1986 Only Fools and Horses: Royal Variety Show Rodney Trotter Television film
1986–1990 The Two of Us Ashley Phillips 32 episodes
1990 Only Fools and Horses: The Robin Flies at Dawn Rodney Trotter Short film
1990–1992 The Piglet Files Peter Chapman 19 episodes
1993 Stalag Luft 'Chump' Cosgrove Television film
1993–1999, 2016 Goodnight Sweetheart Gary Sparrow, Colonel Henri Dupont 59 episodes
1996 Gulliver's Travels Clustril Episode: "Episode #1.1"
1997 Only Fools and Horses: Only Fools Cutaway Rodney Trotter Short film
1997 The English Programme Clustril 2 episodes
1999 David Copperfield Uriah Heep 2 episodes
2000 Butterflies Reunion Special Adam Parkinson Short film
2000 Thin Ice Graham Moss Television film
2002 The Life and Times of Aly Martin-Smith Aly Martin-Smith Television film
2003 Murder in Mind Alan Willis Episode: "Landlord"
2006 The Children's Party at the Palace Cruella de Vil's Chauffeur (The 101 Dalmatians) Television special
2007–2008 After You've Gone Jimmy Venables 25 episodes
2008 After You've Gone: Deleted Scenes Jimmy Venables Video
2008 After You've Gone: Outtakes Jimmy Venables Uncredited
2010–2011 Rock & Chips Freddie Robdal 3 episodes
2013–2015 New Tricks Danny Griffin 26 episodes
2014 Only Fools and Horses: Beckham in Peckham Rodney Trotter Short film
2019 So Awkward Johnny Episode: "Awardatarian"
2023–present Frasier Alan Cornwall 20 episodes

Radio

[edit]
Year Title Role Station Notes
1974–1975 Drama Now: Stones BBC Radio 3 2 episodes
1976 Thirty-Minute Theatre: Open Day John Burns BBC Radio 4 1 episode
1986 The Afternoon Play Narrator BBC Radio 4 1 episode
1999 Only Fools and Horses Rodney Trotter BBC Radio 4 4 episodes
2007 Parkinson's Sunday Supplement BBC Radio 2 1 episode
2008–2009 Original Shorts Reader BBC Radio 4 3 episodes
2010 Steve Wright in the Afternoon Himself BBC Radio 2 1 episode
2011 Richard Bacon Himself BBC Radio 5 Live 1 episode
2012 Saturday Drama Sergeant Hanley BBC Radio 4 1 episode
2012 My First Planet Brian BBC Radio 4 11 episodes
2013 Haunted Jack BBC Radio 4 Extra 1 episode
2017 Graham Norton Himself BBC Radio 2 1 episode
2019 The Michael Ball Show Himself BBC Radio 2 1 episode
2023 Liza Tarbuck Himself BBC Radio 2 1 episode
2023 Jo Whiley Himself BBC Radio 2 1 episode

As himself

[edit]
Year Title Notes
1977 Our Show 7 episodes; Presenter
1978 The Saturday Banana Presenter
1981 Give Us a Clue Episode: "Episode #4.13"
1982 The Kenny Everett Television Show Episode: "Episode #2.0"
1982 Head for Business
1984 The Saturday Picture Show Episode: "Episode #1.19"
1984 Children in Need 1 episode
1984–1985 Blankety Blank 2 episodes
1985 Saturday Superstore Episode: "Episode #3.24"
1987 The Grand Knockout Tournament 1 episode
1988 Aspel & Company Episode: "Epsiode 5.4"
1988, 1991, 1997 Comic Relief 3 episodes
1992 Wogan Episode: "Episode #12.29"
1992, 2000 Auntie's Bloomers 2 episodes
1996 National Television Awards
2002 The Story of 'Only Fools and Horses...'
2004 Britain's Best Sitcom 2 episodes
2004 Richard & Judy 1 episode
2005 Parkinson 1 episode
2007 This Morning 1 episode
2010 The One Show 1 episode
2011 The Comedy Genius of John Sullivan
2017 David Jason: My Life on Screen Episode: "Episode #1.2"
2017 The Story of... Only Fools and Horses.... 6 episodes
2023 Frasier Inside the Series Interviewee

Source(s): [44][45][46][47]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Group Award Work Result
1987 British Academy Television Awards BAFTA Best Light Entertainment Performance Only Fools and Horses Nominated
1991 Nominated
1997 BAFTA Best Comedy Performance Only Fools and Horses (Christmas Special) Nominated
British Comedy Awards Best TV Comedy Actor Nominated
National Television Awards Most Popular Comedy Performer 1997 Only Fools and Horses Nominated
1998 Most Popular Comedy Performer 1998 Goodnight Sweetheart Won
1999 Most Popular Comedy Performer 1999 Won

Source(s): [48][49][50]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Nicholas Simon LYNDHURST". gov.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  2. ^ "Nicholas Simon LYNDHURST". gov.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst - Actor". TV Insider. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  4. ^ a b Hassell, Katherine (21 August 2015). "Nicholas Lyndhurst: my family values". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  5. ^ Stanley, Megan (30 August 2022). "Nicholas Lyndhurst's quiet life and childhood in Emsworth before Only Fools And Horses fame". Hampshire Live. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  6. ^ "Film Studio". Shoreham Fort. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  7. ^ Heath, Jacob; Donnelly, Luke (20 September 2021). "West Wittering: The West Sussex village with celebrities around every corner". Sussex Live. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Corona Theatre School forced to close". BBC News. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  9. ^ Curtis, Nick (19 August 2002). "Baywatch babe turns club queen". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  10. ^ a b "BFI Screenonline: Lyndhurst, Nicholas (1961-) Biography". BFI Screen Online. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d "Watch: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Nicholas Lyndhurst". Spirit FM. 2017. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  12. ^ "The Prince and the Pauper: Part 1". BBC. 4 January 1976. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst: 'The golden age of television is over'". The Telegraph. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  14. ^ Shahid, Sharnaz (11 June 2021). "Only Fools and Horses stars Nicholas Lyndhurst and Sir David Jason talk reunion". HELLO!. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Top 50 TV Sitcoms". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Goodnight Sweetheart returns to BBC One as part of the landmark sitcom season". BBC. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  17. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst: Only Fools and Horses would never be made today". Radio Times. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  18. ^ Dwyer Hogg, Clare (27 August 2011). "Nicholas Lyndhurst: 'I wanted to be an actor from the age of eight'". The Independent. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  19. ^ "New Tricks at BBC Media Centre". BBC. 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  20. ^ "BBC One - New Tricks - Nicholas Lyndhurst: "Everything is a game of chess for him"". BBC. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  21. ^ Hewis, Ben (20 January 2017). "Nicholas Lyndhurst joins cast of ENO's Carousel". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  22. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst - Stars on Stage". London Theatre. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  23. ^ "So Awkward press clippings". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  24. ^ Otterson, Joe (13 January 2023). "'Frasier' Sequel Series at Paramount+ Casts Nicholas Lyndhurst (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  25. ^ "Lucy LYNDHURST". gov.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  26. ^ "Lucy Jane LYNDHURST". gov.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  27. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst: Glum blond". The Independent. 15 November 2004. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  28. ^ "TV STAR'S VILLAGE WEDDING". The Argus. 24 May 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Fools and Horses star weds secretly". BBC News. 4 September 1999. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  30. ^ "Lyndhurst". Ancestry UK. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  31. ^ "Archie Bjorn LYNDHURST". gov.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  32. ^ Adejobi, Alicia (4 October 2020). "Archie Lyndhurst's girlfriend marks his 20th birthday just days after CBBC star's death". Metro. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  33. ^ Brazier, Tori (5 October 2021). "Archie Lyndhurst's mum Lucy pays tribute to late son on his 21st birthday: 'We think about you night and day'". Metro. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  34. ^ "So Awkward". BBC. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  35. ^ "So Awkward". BBC. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  36. ^ "Archie Lyndhurst: CBBC star died in his sleep, says mother". BBC News. 16 January 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  37. ^ Pasquini, Maria (16 January 2021). "Actor Archie Lyndhurst's Cause of Death Revealed Months After He Died at Age 19". People. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  38. ^ "Archie Lyndhurst: CBBC star and son of Nicholas Lyndhurst dies aged 19". BBC News. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  39. ^ Chung, Gabrielle (1 October 2020). "Archie Lyndhurst, Star of So Awkward and Son of Actor Nicholas Lyndhurst, Dies at 19". People. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  40. ^ Waddell, Lily (14 January 2021). "Inquest into death of CBBC star Archie Lyndhurst abandoned". Surrey Live. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  41. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst says he is 'utterly grief stricken' following his son's death". ITVX. 1 October 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  42. ^ Fox, Thomas (9 August 2022). "Only Fools star Nicholas Lyndhurst's quiet life in Sussex with wife at West Wittering home". Sussex Live. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  43. ^ "Lyndhurst: I said no to diving show". Belfast Telegraph. 31 August 2013. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  44. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst". BBC. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  45. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst". IMDb. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  46. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  47. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst". TV Guide. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  48. ^ "Nicholas Lyndhurst - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  49. ^ "Awards". BAFTA. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  50. ^ "Winners". National Television Awards. Retrieved 1 December 2024.