Errol John
Errol John | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 20 December 1924 |
| Died | 10 July 1988 (aged 63) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor Playwright |
| Years active | 1951–1988 |
| Notable work | Moon on a Rainbow Shawl (1957) |
| Parent | George John (father) |
Errol John (20 December 1924 – 10 July 1988) was a Trinidad and Tobago actor and playwright who emigrated to the United Kingdom in 1951.
Biography
Early years in Trinidad
John was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on 20 December 1924, the son of professional cricketer George John, who as a fast bowler with the West Indian team toured England in 1923.[1] Errol was home-schooled, before beginning his career as an artist and journalist. After deciding to pursue a career in acting, he joined the Whitehall Theatre Group in Trinidad.[2]
Move to Britain
Following the
John had several small roles in films such as The African Queen (1951), The Heart of the Matter (1953), Simba (1955), Odongo (1956), The Nun's Story (1959), The Sins of Rachel Cade (1961) and Guns at Batasi (1964); all were set in Africa.
He gained a major role in the BBC's A Man from the Sun (1956), alongside Cy Grant, Nadia Cattouse and Colin Douglas, and later had a significant role in the television series No Hiding Place (ITV, 1961) and in the six-part BBC series Rainbow City, written for him by John Elliot in collaboration with Horace James, who was cast in one of the other lead roles.[3]
Frustration at how few roles were available for black actors led John to playwriting.[4]
His first play was The Tout (1949),
On 27 May 1958, John's adapted version of the play for radio, entitled Small Island Moon, was broadcast on the BBC's
Errol John's other writing included Force Majeure, The Dispossessed and Hasta Luego: Three Screenplays (1967). For television he wrote Teleclub (1954) and Dawn (1963), and was also the author of The Exiles, part of the BBC Wednesday Play series.[8]
He attempted to work in the American film industry, but was limited to minor roles in Assault on a Queen (1966) and Buck and the Preacher (1972).[9]
John died in Camden, North London, 10 July 1988, at the age of 63.[8] He was posthumously awarded the Trinidad & Tobago Chaconia Medal (Silver), for Drama, in 1988.[10]
Selected plays
- 1949: The Tout
- 1954: Teleclub (for television)
- 1957: Moon on a Rainbow Shawl
- 1966: The Tout
- 1967: Force Majeure, The Dispossessed, Hasta Luego: Three Screenplays
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | The African Queen | Native Soldier | Uncredited |
| 1953 | The Heart of the Matter | African Policeman | Uncredited |
| 1955 | Simba | African Inspector | |
| 1956 | Odongo | Mr. Bawa | |
| 1959 | The Nun's Story | Illunga (African convert) | |
| 1961 | The Sins of Rachel Cade | Kulu, Assistant to Rachel | |
| 1963 | PT 109 | Benjamin Kevu | |
| 1964 | Man in the Middle | Sgt. Jackson | |
| 1964 | Guns at Batasi | Lieut. Boniface | |
| 1966 | Assault on a Queen | Linc Langley | |
| 1972 | Buck and the Preacher | Joshua | |
| 1984 | Sheena | Bolu |
References
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 23 September 2004.
- ^ ISBN 1-84714-001-7.
- ^ Bourne, Stephen (2001). Black in the British Frame: The Black Experience in British Film and Television. London & New York City: Continuum. p. 121.
- ^ "Errol John". Windrush Stories | People. British Library. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica.
- ^ Kellaway, Kate, Review of Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, The Observer, 18 March 2012.
- ^ "Errol John in 'SMALL ISLAND MOON'" (BBC Third Programme, 27 May 1958, 21.15), Radio Times, Issue 1802, 23 May 1958, p. 39.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-269-0832-5.
- ^ "John, Errol (1924-1988)". BFI Screen Online. Retrieved 6 May 2011.
- ^ Errol John biography, compiled by Ronald C. Emrit.
External links
- Errol John at IMDb
- John, Errol (1924-1988) at the BFI's Screenonline
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