Brian Hall | |
---|---|
Born |
Brian Charles Hall 20 November 1937 London, England |
Died | 17 September 1997 Worthing, Sussex, England, UK |
(aged 59)
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1971–1994 |
Spouse(s) | Marlene Hall |
Brian Charles Hall (20 November 1937 – 17 September 1997) was an English actor perhaps best known for his role in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers where he played the hotel chef Terry Hugh.
Hall was probably most familiar playing hard-boiled tough guy Cockney roles: his role as the amiable chef Terry in Fawlty Towers was an enjoyable casting against type. He played leading roles in police drama Softly, Softly: Taskforce (1971–72), crime drama McVicar (1980), and sitcom You Must Be The Husband (1987). He also had several guest-starring roles in The Professionals, The Long Good Friday, The Bill, London's Burning, The Sweeney and Minder in Series 1 episode You Gotta Have Friends.
Hall established a very strong friendship with John Cleese when they appeared together in Fawlty Towers. Some years after the series had finished, Cleese sent Hall a personally signed autographed picture as a joke. Hall wrote back and demanded a "signed Rolls-Royce car" instead. Three days later, one arrived by mail - a children's toy.
Hall died on 17 September 1997, aged 59, after a three-year battle with cancer.
John Cleese expressed his sadness after his fellow Fawlty Towers star had died, saying, "I am very upset. I was particularly fond of Brian and had several conversations with him this year" (1997). "I admire profoundly the way in which he dealt with his cancer. I do not know where he found the strength." A year before his death, Hall told the Mirror: "Cancer is a bully and I hate bullies. This old boy cancer will get about as much change out of me as all the other bullies I've met - nothing."