Anthony Sagar (19 June 1920 – 24 January 1973) was an English character actor and a member of the National Theatre. He was prolific screen performer and appeared in many films (including seven of the Carry On series) and television series including the 1959 adaptation of The Moonstone, Steptoe and Son, The Avengers and Dad's Army.
James Anthony Sagar was born in Burnley, Lancashire[1] and his early career was largely in film and stage. His first television role, in Dixon of Dock Green, came at the age of 36. He stayed with police dramas, appearing in Z-Cars, Special Branch and New Scotland Yard. Other television roles included Ernie Kidd in Swallows and Amazons (1963), Sergeant Harris in Doomwatch (1970) and Parker in Spyder's Web (1972), as well as appearances in The Avengers (1969) and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (1969).[2]
In addition to appearing in seven Carry On films he also appeared as a coxswain in Barnacle Bill (1957), a customs official in Law and Disorder (1958), the Sergeant of the Guards in I Was Monty's Double (1958), an instructor's assistant in The Bulldog Breed (1960), a drunk in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) and Hill in The Offence (1972).[2]
Theatre appearances included The Hollow at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (1953), The Gay Dog at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (1954), Joe in The Ring of Truth at the Savoy Theatre (1959), There's a Girl in My Soup at the Golders Green Hippodrome (1966), and Percy Elliott in Epitaph for George Dillon for the National Theatre at the Young Vic (1971).[3]
In TV comedy he appeared in Steptoe and Son as George in the episode Full House in 1963, and appeared in two episodes of the BBC sitcom Dad's Army – as Drill Sergeant Gregory in Room at the Bottom (1969) and as the Sergeant Major in Fallen Idol (1970); he also played a Police Sergeant in the series' film version.[2]
He died in Kensington in London on 24 January 1973 aged 52.