Frank Thornton dies at 92; actor played Capt. Peacock on TV comedy ‘Are You Being Served?’
Mr. Thornton was best known for his comic role in the innuendo-laden sitcom, which ran from the 1970s to 1985. He played a mustachioed, pompous floor manager who oversaw the workers in a department store.
Born in Dulwich, in South London, Mr. Thornton worked in insurance while taking evening classes to become an actor.
He got stage roles and played in London’s West End before serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II.
In the 1950s, while still working in theater, he began to branch into TV comedy. He appeared on “The Benny Hill Show” and other programs and also had a small role in the movie “Carry On Screaming!” (1966).
In the 1970s — with the success of “Are You Being Served?” — Mr. Thornton became a household name in Britain.
“He was . . .the glue who really held ‘Are You Being Served?’ together,” said the show’s co-creator, Jeremy Lloyd.
Mr. Thornton later became known for his part in another long-running television comedy series, “Last of the Summer Wine.” He made appearances in dozens of movies, including “No Sex Please, We’re British” (1973) and “Gosford Park” (2001).
Selected filmography
Radio Cab Murder (1954) – Inspector Finch
Stock Car (1955) - Doctor
Portrait of Alison (1955) – Police Photographer
Johnny, You're Wanted (1956)
Cloak Without Dagger (1956) – Mr. Markley
Battle of the V-1 (1958) – British Scientist (uncredited)
The Tell-Tale Heart (1960) – Barman (uncredited)
The Impersonator (1961) – Police Sergeant (uncredited)
Victim (1961) – George – Henry's Assistant (uncredited)
Tarnished Heroes (1961) – Trench Officer
Trial and Error (1962) – TV Director
The Dock Brief (1962) – Photographer at Fowle Wedding
The Wild Affair (1964) – Manager
The Comedy Man (1964) – Producer (uncredited)
The Tomb of Ligeia (1964) – Peperel
The Big Job (1965) – Bank Official
The Early Bird (1965) – Drunken Doctor
The Murder Game (1965) – Radio Announcer
Gonks Go Beat (1965) – Mr. A&R
Carry On Screaming! (1966) – Mr. Jones
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) – Roman Sentry #1
Lucy in London (1966)
30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia (1968) – Registrar
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968) – Factory manager
A Flea in Her Ear (1968) – Charles the Butler
Till Death Us Do Part (1969) – Valuation Officer
The Assassination Bureau (1969) – Elevator victim Count von Kissen (uncredited)
Crooks and Coronets (1969) – Cyril
The Bed Sitting Room (1969) – The BBC
The Magic Christian (1969) – Police Inspector (uncredited)
Some Will, Some Won't (1970) – Purvis
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970) – Porter
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer (1970) – Tom Stoddart
All the Way Up (1970) – Mr. Driver
Up the Chastity Belt (1971) – Master of Ceremonies
Bless This House (1972) – Mr Jones
That's Your Funeral (1972) – Town Clerk
Our Miss Fred (1972) – British Colonel
Steptoe and Son Ride Again (1973) – Mr. Russell
No Sex Please, We're British (1973) – Glass Shop Manager
Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World (1973) – Estate Agent
The Three Musketeers (1973) – Man in Small Carriage (uncredited)
Keep It Up, Jack (1973) – Mr. Clarke
Vampira (1974) – Mr. King
Side by Side (1975) – Inspector Crumb
Spanish Fly (1975) – Dr. Johnson
The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones (1976) – Whitlow
Are You Being Served? (1977) – Captain Peacock
The BFG (1989) – Mr. Tibbs (voice)
Gosford Park (2001) – Mr. Burkett
Back in Business (2007) – Gardener
Run for Your Wife (2013) – Man getting off bus (final film role)
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