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Robert Fyfe
Born(1930-09-25)25 September 1930[1]
Kirkcaldy, Scotland[1]
Died15 September 2021(2021-09-15) (aged 90)
OccupationActor
Years active1954–2017
Spouse
Diana Rush
​
​
(m. 1957; died 2021)​
Children3

Robert Douglas Fyfe (25 September 1930 – 15 September 2021) was a Scottish actor, best known for his role as Howard in the long-running British sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from 1985 to 2010.[2]

Early life

Fyfe was born in Kirkcaldy on 25 September 1930, the son of Douglas Fyfe, a watchmaker, and Mary Fyfe née Irvine. He attended Kirkcaldy High School,[3] before studying English literature at Edinburgh University. He did not complete his degree and instead trained under Esmé Church at the Northern Theatre School in Bradford, graduating in 1954. Whilst studying, he performed in Halifax, York and Scarborough, including appearing in the York Mystery Plays in 1954.

Career

Fyfe appeared in the films Xtro, The 51st State, Around the World in 80 Days, Gaolbreak and Babel. In 2012 he appeared in Cloud Atlas. Other credits include guest appearances on Z-Cars, Survivors, The Gentle Touch, The Return of Sherlock Holmes and Monarch of the Glen. Fyfe appeared as Malcolm Lagg, a lollipop man, in Coronation Street in December 2012. His character was seen training Dennis Tanner, played by Philip Lowrie, to take over his job.

Personal life

He married stage director Diana Rush in 1957. She died in August 2021. Fyfe died from kidney disease[4] on 15 September 2021, at the age of 90. They were survived by their three sons, Timothy, Nicholas and Dominic.[5][6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Source
1962 Gaolbreak Wally [7]
1982 Xtro Doctor
2001 The 51st State Hector Dougal McElroy [5]
2004 Around the World in 80 Days Jean Michel [8]
2006 Babel Tourist Number 14 [5]
2010 Burke & Hare Old Donald
2011 The Decoy Bride Ancient Crofter
2012 Cloud Atlas Old Salty Dog / Mr. Meeks / Prescient 1 [5]
2016 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Butler Edwin

Television roles

Year Title Role Notes Source
1962 Dr. Finlay's Casebook - Episode: "It's All In The Mind" [5]
1971 The Onedin Line Evans Episode: "Mutiny" [5]
1982 Third Time Lucky Mr MacTaggart Episode: "Change Partners"
1985–2010 Last of the Summer Wine Howard Sibshaw 230 episodes [5]
1988 The Return of Sherlock Holmes Booking Clerk 1 episode
1989 No Strings Grandad 7 episodes
2004 Monarch of the Glen Jackie McIntyre 1 episode [5]
2009 Misfits Harry 1 episode
2012 Coronation Street Malcolm Lagg 7 episodes [5]
2017 Carters Get Rich Bernard 2 episodes

References

  1. ^ a b Obituaries, Telegraph (23 September 2021). "Robert Fyfe, actor best known as henpecked Howard in Last of the Summer Wine – obituary". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Last of the Summer Wine star Robert Fyfe dies aged 90". shropshirestar.com. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Robert Fyfe: Last of The Summer Wine actor's proud links to Fife revealed". www.fifetoday.co.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  4. ^ Hayward, Anthony (24 September 2021). "Robert Fyfe obituary". The Guardian.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Robert Fyfe: Last of the Summer Wine actor dies at 90". BBC News. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  6. ^ Brinsford, James (22 September 2021). "Actor who played Howard in classic sitcom Last of the Summer Wine dies". mirror. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Gaolbreak (1962)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  8. ^ Robert Fyfe: Last of the Summer Wine star dies aged 90

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