John Nettleton obit

Former Yes Minister star John Nettleton dies aged 94

Actor John Nettleton was best known for portraying Sir Arnold Robinson in the political satire Yes Minister

 He was not on the list.

Yes Minister star John Nettleton has died aged 94, his representatives have confirmed.

The actor was best known for portraying Sir Arnold Robinson in the political satire sitcom and in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister, in the 1980s.

A statement from his agent, Scott Marshall Partners, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client and much-loved stage and screen actor John Nettleton at the age of 94.

“He is survived by his wife Deirdre, three children and five grandchildren.”

Born in London on February 5, 1929, Nettleton’s television credits include another political role as a Conservative MP in the British sitcom The New Statesman. He also appeared in detective dramas Midsomer Murders and Foyle’s War and long-running medical series Casualty.

Comedy dramas Kingdom and Brass are also among his show billings as well as 1987’s East Of Ipswich, which was written by Sir Michael Palin.

Nettleton also turned his hand to the world of theatre, featuring in numerous productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Old Vic.

His theatre work also includes Harley Granville-Barker’s The Voysey Inheritance and an adaptation of The Wind In The Willows at the National Theatre.

On stage, Nettleton appeared in the Lyttelton Theatre of the Royal National Theatre in the 2006 productions of Harley Granville-Barker's The Voysey Inheritance, directed by Peter Gill. He also appeared in the Olivier Theatre in the 1990 production of Alan Bennett's Wind in the Willows, directed by Nicholas Hytner. He also voices Grandpa in the PC game The Scruffs.

Nettleton was born in Lewisham, London, and graduated from RADA in 1951. He was married to actress Deirdre Doone. Nettleton died in July 2023, at the age of 94.

 

Filmography

 

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1966    A Man For All Seasons            Jailer   

1969    The Last Shot You Hear     Det. Inspector Nash

1970    Some Will, Some Won't            Wagstaff         

And Soon the Darkness            Gendarme       

1971    Black Beauty  Sir William

1975    All Creatures Great and Small    Head Waiter 

1982    Anyone for Denis?            Jenkins            TV version

1983    Martin Luther, Heretic            Andreas Karlstadt            TV movie

1988    Burning Secret             

1991            American Friends            Rev. Groves

1998    Jinnah            General Gracie 

2005    Oliver Twist               

2007            Fishtales            Professor Coulter