Friday, October 5, 2018

Ray Galton obit

Groundbreaking sitcom writer Ray Galton dies

Along with Alan Simpson, Galton helped shape British comedy, pioneering a formula of sitcom that is emulated to this day.

 He was not on the list.


Ray Galton, one half of the writing duo who created Hancock's Half Hour and Steptoe & Son, has died aged 88.

The iconic scriptwriter died last night after a "long and heartbreaking battle with dementia", his family announced.

He "passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family".

Along with Alan Simpson, Galton helped shape British comedy, pioneering a formula of sitcom that is followed to this day.

The family has asked for privacy at this time.

His manager Tessa Le Bars said: "I have had the great honour of working with Ray for over 50 years and for the last 40 as his manager and friend.

"With his lifelong co-writer, the late Alan Simpson, they were regarded as the fathers and creators of British sitcom.

"The end of an iconic era, but the legacy of Hancock's Half Hour, Steptoe and Son and over 600 scripts is huge.

"They will endure, inspire and bring laughter to the nation for evermore."

Ray Galton met his friend and writing partner at Milford Sanatorium in Surrey after both were diagnosed with tuberculosis as teenagers.

As well as their famous sitcoms, they wrote television, film and stage scripts for the likes of Frankie Howerd, Peter Sellers, Leonard Rossiter and Arthur Lowe 

Steptoe and Son was adapted for US TV as Sanford and Son and ran for several years in the 1970s on NBC.

Simpson died in February 2017.

Writer

Lost Sitcoms (2016)

Lost Sitcoms

5.2

TV Mini Series

writer

2016

2 episodes

 

Fleksnes fataliteter (1972)

Fleksnes fataliteter

8.4

TV Series

writer

1972–2003

40 episodes

 

Himmelen kan vente

7.2

TV Movie

Writer

2001

 

Get Well Soon (1997)

Get Well Soon

7.2

TV Series

writer

1997

6 episodes

 

Paul Merton in Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's... (1996)

Paul Merton in Galton and Simpson's...

6.5

TV Series

Writer

1996

4 episodes

 

Tomas von Brömssen in Herbert & Robert (1995)

Herbert & Robert

7.8

TV Series

Writer

1995

1 episode

 

Camilo & Filho Lda. (1995)

Camilo & Filho Lda.

6.8

TV Series

Writer

1995–1996

 

Frankie Howerd on Campus (1990)

Frankie Howerd on Campus

7.5

TV Special

Writer

1990

 

Camping (1990)

Camping

3.3

Writer

1990

 

Sten-Åke Cederhök and Tomas von Brömssen in Sommarkvetter (1988)

Sommarkvetter

7.2

TV Movie

writer

1988

 

Room at the Bottom (1986)

Room at the Bottom

6.8

TV Series

Writer

1986–1988

13 episodes

 

Sten-Åke Cederhök and Tomas von Brömssen in Mordet på Skolgatan 15 (1984)

Mordet på Skolgatan 15

7.5

TV Movie

writer

1984

 

Sten-Åke Cederhök and Tomas von Brömssen in Albert & Herberts julkalender (1982)

Albert & Herberts julkalender

8.1

TV Series

screenplay

1982

16 episodes

 

Albert & Herbert (1981)

Albert & Herbert

8.4

TV Movie

writer

1981

 

Redd Foxx in Sanford (1980)

Sanford

6.7

TV Series

based on "Steptoe and Son" created by

1980–1981

26 episodes

 

Comedy Tonight

TV Movie

Writer

1980

 

The Lad Himself

TV Special

excerpts from a work by

1980

 

Spaß beiseite - Herbert kommt! (1979)

Spaß beiseite - Herbert kommt!

TV Series

original teleplay

1979–1980

7 episodes

 

Leonard Rossiter in Le Petomane (1979)

Le Petomane

6.6

Short

writer

1979

 

Sten-Åke Cederhök and Tomas von Brömssen in Albert & Herbert (1974)

Albert & Herbert

7.9

TV Series

writer

original idea

1974–1979

28 episodes

 

Spooner's Patch (1979)

Spooner's Patch

6.4

TV Series

Writer

1979

4 episodes

 

Zwei Mann um einen Herd

TV Series

idea

1979

2 episodes

 

The Tea Ladies

5.8

TV Movie

Writer

1979

 

Brasse Brännström and Magnus Härenstam in Skyll inte på mig! (1978)

Skyll inte på mig!

6.8

TV Series

script

1978

5 episodes

 

LaWanda Page and Teddy Wilson in Sanford Arms (1977)

Sanford Arms

5.9

TV Series

based on "Steptoe and Son" created by

1977

8 episodes

 

The Galton & Simpson Playhouse (1977)

The Galton & Simpson Playhouse

7.7

TV Series

written by

1977

7 episodes

 

Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson in Sanford and Son (1972)

Sanford and Son

7.9

TV Series

"Steptoe and Son" created by

"Three Feathers" by

"Homes Fit for Heroes" by ...

1972–1977

135 episodes

 

Tittertime

TV Movie

Writer

1975

 

Skraphandlerne (1975)

Skraphandlerne

6.2

Writer

1975

 

Dawsons Weekly (1975)

Dawsons Weekly

7.8

TV Series

Writer

1975

 

Wilfrid Brambell and Harry H. Corbett in Steptoe and Son (1962)

Steptoe and Son

7.8

TV Series

written by

by

writer

1962–1974

57 episodes

 

Den siste Fleksnes (1974)

Den siste Fleksnes

6.7

story

1974

 

You'll Never Walk Alone

TV Movie

Writer

1974

 

Holiday with Strings (1974)

Holiday with Strings

8.8

TV Movie

Writer

1974

 

Comedy Playhouse (1961)

Comedy Playhouse

7.2

TV Series

script

writer

by

1961–1974

17 episodes

 

Jan Adair, Astrid Frank, Maureen Lipman, Leslie Phillips, and Madeline Smith in Casanova '73 (1973)

Casanova '73

6.5

TV Series

writer

1973

7 episodes

 

Diana Dors in Steptoe and Son Ride Again (1973)

Steptoe and Son Ride Again

6.7

written by

1973

 

An Evening with Francis Howerd

6.0

TV Series

script contribution

1973

3 episodes

 

Frankie Howerd in Ulster

TV Movie

script contributor

1973

 

Micheline Presle and Catherine Rouvel in Clochemerle (1972)

Clochemerle

8.0

TV Series

writer

1972

9 episodes

 

Steptoe & Son (1972)

Steptoe & Son

6.5

written by

1972

 

The Chastity Belt (1972)

The Chastity Belt

5.2

screenplay

1972

 

The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins (1971)

The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins

5.3

by (segment "Pride")

1971

 

Frankie Howerd's Hour

TV Mini Series

writer

1971

2 episodes

 

The Laughing Stock of Television

TV Movie

Writer

1971

 

Komische Geschichten mit Georg Thomalla (1961)

Komische Geschichten mit Georg Thomalla

8.0

TV Series

teleplay

story

1961–1971

10 episodes

 

Richard Attenborough, Hywel Bennett, and Roy Holder in Loot (1970)

Loot

5.4

screenplay

1970

 

Pauline Collins, Jonathan Elsom, and Martin Shaw in The Mating Machine (1970)

The Mating Machine

TV Series

writer

1970

1 episode

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

5.9

TV Series

writer

1970

1 episode

 

Galton and Simpson Comedy (1969)

Galton and Simpson Comedy

7.6

TV Series

written by

1969

6 episodes

 

Cilla Black in Cilla (1968)

Cilla

7.2

TV Series

script: Frankie Howerd

1968

1 episode

 

Frankie Howerd Meets the Bee Gees

TV Special

Writer

1968

 

Before the Fringe

TV Series

Writer

1967

1 episode

 

Harry H. Corbett in Mr. Aitch (1967)

Mr. Aitch

7.4

TV Series

writer

1967

3 episodes

 

The Spy with a Cold Nose (1966)

The Spy with a Cold Nose

5.5

screenplay

story

1966

 

Hancock at the Royal Festival Hall

6.0

TV Movie

Writer

1966

 

Ken Dodd in The Ken Dodd Show (1959)

The Ken Dodd Show

6.2

TV Series

writer: Steptoe and Son sketch

1966

1 episode

 

Frankie Howerd in Frankie Howerd (1964)

Frankie Howerd

7.1

TV Series

writer

1964–1966

12 episodes

 

East of Howerd

TV Movie

Writer

1966

 

Aldo Ray and Lee Tracy in Steptoe and Son (1965)

Steptoe and Son

TV Movie

created by (creator)

1965

 

Der Klassewagen

TV Short

Writer

1965

 

Mittagessen im Park

TV Short

play

1965

 

Kohtaaminen

TV Movie

Writer

1965

 

Die Patentlösung

TV Movie

play

1964

 

Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life

7.1

TV Series

writer

1964

1 episode

 

A Last Word on the Election

TV Movie

written by

1964

 

Engpass

TV Movie

play

1964

 

Um Antwort wird gebeten

TV Movie

play

1964

 

Milligan's Wake

TV Series

Writer

1964–1965

 

Clicquot & Co.

TV Movie

Writer

1964

 

The Bargee (1964)

The Bargee

6.3

original story

screenplay

1964

 

Kaverukset

TV Series

writer

1962–1963

22 episodes

 

De reünie

TV Movie

Writer

1963

 

Peter Sellers in The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963)

The Wrong Arm of the Law

6.7

written by

1963

 

Benny Hill in A Christmas Night with the Stars (1958)

A Christmas Night with the Stars

6.1

TV Series

Writer

1958–1962

3 episodes

 

Nacht der offenen Tür

TV Movie

Writer

1962

 

Hancock (1961)

Hancock

8.5

TV Series

written by

1961

6 episodes

 

Call Me Genius (1961)

Call Me Genius

6.8

original story

screenplay

1961

 

Citizen James (1960)

Citizen James

7.3

TV Series

writer

1960

6 episodes

 

Ladies and Gentle-Men

TV Movie

Writer

1960

 

Hancock's Half Hour (1956)

Hancock's Half Hour

8.4

TV Series

written by

story

1956–1960

57 episodes

 

The World Our Stage

TV Series

writer

1958

1 episode

 

The April 8th Show (Seven Days Early)

8.1

TV Movie

Writer

1958

 

These Are the Shows

TV Special

written by

1957

 

Early to Braden

TV Series

Writer

1957–1958

 

Norman Chappell and Tony Hancock in The Tony Hancock Show (1956)

The Tony Hancock Show

7.8

TV Series

Writer (uncredited)

1957

2 episodes

 

Actor

Get Well Soon (1997)

Get Well Soon

7.2

TV Series

The Distinguished Gentleman

1997

1 episode

 

Hancock's Half Hour (1956)

Hancock's Half Hour

8.4

TV Series

Barracker

Lance-Corporal

1956–1959

2 episodes

 

Producer

The Galton & Simpson Playhouse (1977)

The Galton & Simpson Playhouse

7.7

TV Series

associate producer

1977

7 episodes

 

The Bargee (1964)

The Bargee

6.3

executive producer (uncredited)

1964

 

Thanks

Heroes of Comedy (1992)

Heroes of Comedy

6.7

TV Series

special thanks

1995

1 episode

 

Self

BAFTA Televsion Awards 2016 (2016)

BAFTA Televsion Awards 2016

5.9

TV Special

Self - Pre-Recorded Segment

2016

 

Comedy Playhouse: Where It All Began

6.8

TV Movie

Self

2014

 

The Native Hue of Resolution (2013)

The Native Hue of Resolution

Self - Writer

2013

 

My Hero

TV Series

Self

2013

1 episode

 

The Many Faces of... (2009)

The Many Faces of...

6.3

TV Series

Self

2013

1 episode

 

Frankie Howerd in Frankie Howerd: The Lost Tapes (2013)

Frankie Howerd: The Lost Tapes

8.2

TV Movie

Self - Writer, The Frankie Howerd Show

2013

 

John Howard Davies: A Life in Comedy

TV Short

Self

2012

 

The Unforgettable Spike Milligan

TV Movie

Self - Writer

2010

 

The Greatest Christmas Comedy Moments

TV Movie

Self

2008

 

Mark Lawson in Mark Lawson Talks to... (2003)

Mark Lawson Talks to...

8.3

TV Series

Self

2008

1 episode

 

50 Greatest Comedy Catchphrases

6.1

TV Movie

Self

2008

 

Melvyn Bragg in The South Bank Show (1978)

The South Bank Show

6.9

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

The World's Greatest Comedy Characters

5.2

TV Special

Self

2007

 

The Story of Light Entertainment (2006)

The Story of Light Entertainment

7.7

TV Mini Series

Self

2006

2 episodes

 

Who Killed the Sitcom?

5.8

TV Movie

Self

2006

 

The Ultimate Sitcom

6.0

TV Movie

Self

2006

 

Unknown Hancock

7.6

TV Movie

Self

2005

 

Arena (1975)

Arena

7.6

TV Series

Self

1993–2005

2 episodes

 

Britain's Best Sitcom (2004)

Britain's Best Sitcom

7.4

TV Series

Self

2004

1 episode

 

The Showbiz Set (2002)

The Showbiz Set

7.4

TV Mini Series

Self - Writer: 'Steptoe and Son'

Self - Comedy Writer

2002

2 episodes

 

When Steptoe Met Son (2002)

When Steptoe Met Son

6.8

TV Movie

Self

2002

 

Heroes of Comedy (1992)

Heroes of Comedy

6.7

TV Series

Self

Self - Writer: 'Steptoe and Son'

1992–2002

3 episodes

 

The Greatest (1998)

The Greatest

6.2

TV Series

Self

2001

1 episode

 

The Unforgettable Frankie Howerd (2000)

The Unforgettable Frankie Howerd

TV Movie

Self - Frankie Howerd's Writer

2000

 

The Unforgettable Sid James

6.6

TV Movie

Self - Writer

2000

 

Laughter in the House: The Story of British Sitcom (1999)

Laughter in the House: The Story of British Sitcom

7.4

TV Mini Series

Self

1999

 

Auntie: The Inside Story of the BBC (1997)

Auntie: The Inside Story of the BBC

6.6

TV Mini Series

Self - Comedy Writer

1997

1 episode

 

Without Walls (1990)

Without Walls

5.7

TV Series

Self

1993

1 episode

 

Television's Greatest Hits

TV Series

Self

1992

1 episode

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.2

TV Series

Self

1985

1 episode

 

Looks Familiar (1970)

Looks Familiar

7.9

TV Series

Self - Guest

1984

1 episode

 

2nd House (1973)

2nd House

5.8

TV Series

Self

1975

1 episode

 

Nationwide (1969)

Nationwide

6.8

TV Series

Self

1973

1 episode

 

Look at Life: Funny Business Is No Joke (1967)

Look at Life: Funny Business Is No Joke

5.9

Short

Self (uncredited)

1967

 

Archive Footage

British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves (2016)

British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves

6.5

TV Movie

Self (archive footage, uncredited)

2016

 

Heroes of Comedy (1992)

Heroes of Comedy

6.7

TV Series

(archive footage)

1998

1 episode

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