John Inman, 71, died in St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, at 4 a.m. Thursday after being ill for some time with hepatitis A.
He was famous for playing ambiguously-oriented Mr. Humphries in the British sitcom Are You Being Served?, which ran from 1972 to 1985.
White-haired Mr. Humphries, the senior sales assistant in the men's wear department, was known for his "camp" behavior.
"John, through his character Mr. Humphries of Are You Being Served?, was known and loved throughout the world," said spokesman Phil Dale.
"He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain. "John was known for his comedy plays and farces which were enjoyed from London's West End throughout the country and as far as Australia, Canada and the U.S.A."
Inman's long-term partner, Ron Lynch, is said to be "devastated" at his death.
Inman had been taken into hospital for tests after problems with his liver. He believed that he got hepatitis through eating contaminated food.
His illness was revealed after it forced him to cancel the opening of a pantomime in London on December 9, 2004. He never worked again.
In 1976, Inman was voted Funniest Man On Television by TV Times readers and named BBC TV's Personality Of The Year.
However, gay groups criticized him for his stereotypical portrayal of a theatrical gay man. Inman countered that his sexual orientation was never declared outright in the series.
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Mar 8, 2007, 1:20 PM)
Re: John Inman, "Mr. Humphries," dead at 71
[In reply to]
That's sad news. Inman was memorable as Mr. Humphries, one of the Department Store gang. Great ensemble with Molly Sugden's multi-colored wigged Mrs. Slocum, stuffy Colonel Peacock, shapely Ms. Brahms, and bizarre looking Mr. Rumbold.
(This post was edited by artytoons on Mar 8, 2007, 1:20 PM)
Re: John Inman, "Mr. Humphries," dead at 71
[In reply to]
Not to mention young Mr. Lucas, who could offer blistering sarcasm while making it sound like a compliment.
Are You Being Served actors/actresses who were in cartoons:
Mollie Sugden (Mrs. Slocombe) Hortense, the Flying Train in the 1978 Christmas special The Talking Parcel; Mary in the 1989 movie The Big Friendly Giant; Looti, the Princess's Nanny in the 1993 movie The Princess and the Goblin.
Frank Thornton (Capt. Stephen Peacock) Commander L in the partly animated sitcom Jane (1982); Mr. Tibbs in The Big Friendly Giant.
Nicholas Smith (Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold) Quentin/Techie #1 in "Village of the Doomed," a 1996 episode of The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest; Reverend Clement Hedges in the 2005 movie Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
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"Oh boy." -- Allan Sherman
(This post was edited by eminovitz on Mar 8, 2007, 1:46 PM)
Re: John Inman, "Mr. Humphries," dead at 71
[In reply to]
"Are You Being Served?" was co-created by Jeremy Lloyd who was a regular on the US 1960s-era "Laugh-In" series from 1969 to 1970. He also co-wrote the jokes and gags on "Laugh-In" too.
(This post was edited by artytoons on Mar 8, 2007, 2:14 PM)
