English actor (1907–1973)
George Woodbridge |
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| Born | 16 February 1907 (1907-02-16)
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| Died | 31 March 1973 (1973-04-01) (aged 66)
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| Years active | 1928–73 |
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| Spouse |
Ellen Wooley
( m. 1945, divorced) |
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George Arthur Woodbridge (16 February 1907 – 31 March 1973) was an English actor who appeared in films, television, and theatre ranging from the 1930s to the 1970s.[1][2] Woodbridge's ruddy-cheeked complexion and West Country accent meant he often played publicans, policemen or yokels, most prominently in horror and comedy films alongside Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing.[3]
Early life
Woodbridge was born in Exeter, England.[2][4] Raised in Devon, he lived there most of his life. He died in London in 1973.[4]
Career
Woodbridge became a Chief Steward in the Merchant Navy before becoming an actor, first appearing on the London stage in 1928.[4] He made his film debut in 1940 in The Big Blockade, he went on to appear in films such as Green for Danger (1946), The Fallen Idol (1948), The Queen of Spades (1949), Stryker of the Yard (1953), An Inspector Calls (1954), and Richard III (1955).[5]
His horror film roles include the innkeeper in Dracula (1958) and its sequel Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), as well as parts in The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958), Jack the Ripper (1959), The Flesh and the Fiends (1959), The Curse of the Werewolf (1961), The Reptile (1966) and Doomwatch (1972). He also appeared in two M.R. James adaptations on television, in the Mystery and Imagination episode "Room 13" and the 1968 Omnibus episode, "Whistle and I'll Come to You".[6][2]
His jovial manner lent itself to comedy films as well, including An Alligator Named Daisy (1955), Three Men in a Boat (1956), Two-Way Stretch (1960), Raising the Wind (1961), What a Carve Up! (1961), Only Two Can Play (1962), Nurse on Wheels (1963), Heavens Above! (1963), Carry On Jack (1963), Take a Girl Like You (1970), All the Way Up (1970), and Up Pompeii (1971).[7]
He also appeared as the sergeant in the Stryker of the Yard featurettes during the 1950s.[8]
He first appeared on television before the Second World War, and went on to appear in Jude the Obscure (1971), Adam Adamant Lives!, Armchair Theatre, Benny Hill, Dixon of Dock Green, The Forsyte Saga, The Persuaders! and Softly Softly.[9]
He gained popularity late in his career as the titular puppet-maker in the children's TV show Inigo Pipkin.[4] He died five weeks into the filming of the second series, an occurrence which was dealt with in the programme's storyline. The series continued for another seven years however under the title, Pipkins.[10]
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