James Saxon | |
---|---|
Born |
William James Smyth 12 June 1955 Swindon, Wiltshire, England, UK |
Died | 2 July 2003 Mere, Wiltshire, England, UK |
(aged 48)
Cause of death | Aneurysm |
Occupation | Actor |
James Saxon (12 June 1955 – 2 July 2003) was a British character actor. He often played or middle class characters. To a generation of children he was best known for his regular role as Roland Rat's inept agent, D'Arcy DeFarcy, who would mistakenly refer to his client as Reynard.
Having trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he made a career on screen with leading parts in television series such as the BBC adaptation of Vanity Fair (1987), the ITV comedy Brass (1983), the brief revival of Poldark (1996), Time Riders (1991) and Brush Strokes (1986).
His occasional guest appearances included Jonathan Creek (2001), as a school inspector in Chalk (1997), Murder Most Horrid (1994), Lovejoy (1993), A Touch of Frost (1994), Boon (1990) and Oscar Botcherby in the 1985 Doctor Who story The Two Doctors, alongside both Colin Baker and Patrick Troughton.
James Saxon’s film appearances were less numerous, though his rich tones brought to life many audio adaptations, including some of the works of P.G. Wodehouse.
He died on 2 July 2003 from an aneurysm during his run in The Gondoliers in Chichester.