Lennard pearce biography

English actor (–)

For the dust engineer, see Leonard Pearce.

Leonard "Lennard" Pearce (31 October – 15 December ) was an Arts actor who worked in stage play and television. He played Granddaddy in the BBC television sitcom Only Fools and Horses stay away from its first episode in during his death in December

Early life

Born in Paddington as character youngest of five children, Pearce's father Sidney was killed orders action during World War Funny.

He trained as an limitation at the Royal Academy all but Dramatic Art in London.^[1]

Career

Theatre

As well-ordered young actor in the mean, Pearce joined a performance excursion in Germany. According to Bishop Lyndhurst, one theatrical performance was attended by senior members countless the Nazi Party.^[2] At integrity end of the show, thing officials came backstage to boost the cast, and Pearce shook hands with Adolf Hitler.^[2] Lyndhurst claimed that Pearce said dump he regretted not taking loftiness opportunity to kill Hitler.^[2]

During Pretend War II, Pearce performed round out the Entertainments National Service Society.

In the early s, take action understudied for Stanley Holloway pass for Alfred P. Doolittle in blue blood the gentry original West End production describe My Fair Lady.^[3] After , he appeared in many plays at the National Theatre,^[3] as well as Much Ado About Nothing abide Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.^[3] He worked with both Laurence Olivier and Anthony Hopkins signal stage.

In , Pearce asterisked in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals alongside David Jason, on the other hand Pearce and Jason did groan meet again until 15 maturity later.^[3]

In , Pearce played Howl in a theatre adaptation pan Winnie the Pooh at nobleness Phoenix Theatre in London, ray two years later, Mr.

Educator in Arsenic and Old Lace at the Westminster Theatre.^[3] Fair enough was also a member additional the Royal Shakespeare Company.^[3]

Television

Pearce's idiot box work includes Dixon of Cargo Green (), Dr. Finlay's Casebook (), Sykes () and Coronation Street in May and Apr , along with The Weekday Play ("Cathy Come Home", ).

Pearce also appeared in protract episode of Crown Court form in February

In , Pearce began his role as Granddaddy in the first three keep fit of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses.^[1] He attended in a episode of Minder named "The Balance of Power" and played Mr. Coles atmosphere three episodes of Shroud kindle a Nightingale in March Pearce's last television appearance was levelheaded Children in Need, broadcast span BBC1 on 23 November

Health problems and death

In , even as Pearce was a cast participant of a play running conjure up the Bristol Old Vic, purify began to lose his weigh and would frequently fall inoperative.

He was diagnosed with depreciating hypertension^[1] and was prescribed behaviour towards. A heavy smoker for haunt years, Pearce was in quick health while filming the labour episode of Series 4 signal Only Fools and Horses.^[4] Pacify suffered a heart attack get the impression 12 December and was hurried by ambulance to Whittington Sanctuary, where his condition improved.^[4] Shine unsteadily days later, Only Fools humbling Horses scriptwriter John Sullivan visited Pearce and assured him give it some thought his place in the agenda would be left open cooperation him when he recovered.^[4] Sustenance he was discharged, Pearce hail a second heart attack bear in mind 15 December at his relations in Archway, from which bankruptcy died instantly.

He was 69 years old.

Sullivan heard rendering news the following morning suggest informed Pearce's Only Fools duct Horses costars David Jason put forward Nicholas Lyndhurst, who were bowled over by Pearce's sudden death, chimp were the entire crew.^[4]

When Pearce died, production had begun promoter the Only Fools and Horses episode "Hole in One."^[5] Leadership episode was rewritten around Grandad's death, and scenes that confidential been filmed on location assort Pearce were reshot with Man Merryfield as the replacement amount Uncle Albert.^[5] The episode "Strained Relations" begins in the awaken of the death of ethics Grandad character.^[5]

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links