TV
Remembering Brian Murphy
The performer is remembered for shows such as Man About The House and Last of the Summer Wine…
“It is almost impossible to describe the depth of his talent and humanity, a truly joyful and profoundly good-hearted man.” – agent Thomas Bowington
Actor and comedian Brian Murphy, best known for his roles in the 1970s sitcoms Man About the House and George and Mildred, passed away on Sunday at the age of 92. According to his agent, Thomas Bowington, Murphy died at home in Kent with his wife, actress Linda Regan, by his side. Bowington also revealed that Murphy had recently been diagnosed with cancer.
Born on the Isle of Wight in 1932, Brian Murphy began his career in the 1950s after joining Theatre Workshop, a pioneering East London theatre group founded by director Joan Littlewood. Murphy rose to fame in 1973 with his role as George Roper, a landlord in the sitcom Man About the House, (Thames TV) starring alongside the late Yootha Joyce, who played his on-screen wife, Mildred. The show was considered controversial at the time for its portrayal of a man living alone with two single women.
In 1976, Murphy reprised his role in the spin-off series George and Mildred, (Thames TV) which ran for five series of its own and followed the couple as they moved to an upmarket home in a middle-class neighbourhood. In later years he had a long running role in BBC One sitcom Last of the Summer Wine and between that many guest appearances in shows ranging from BBC medial saga Holby City to Thames cop show The Bill and classic performances in ATV’s Drama 61 and ABC’s The Avengers. There was also a long theatre career which took in everything from Shakespeare to pantomime.
Brian’s wife, Linda Regan, best known for her long running role in BBC holiday camp sitcom Hi De Hi, posted on social media, “My love for you will never die. RIP sweetheart”
George and Mildred – Thames TV
