Derek Francis

Derek Francis (7 November 1923 – 27 March 1984) was an English comedy and character actor.

Biography Francis was a regular in the Carry On film players, appearing in six of the films in the 1960s and 1970s. He appeared in The Tomb of Ligeia (1964), the last film in Roger Corman's Edgar Allan Poe series. He also took roles in several BBC adaptations of Charles Dickens novels. His last role was in the 1984 version of A Christmas Carol.

Other roles included parts in television series of the period such as Rising Damp, Bless Me, Father, Thriller, The Professionals, The Sweeney, Sherlock Holmes, The New Avengers, Danger Man, Jason King, Up Pompeii!, Wild, Wild Women, Coronation Street, and Z-Cars. He also appeared as the Emperor Nero, a comic turn in the early Doctor Who story entitled The Romans opposite William Hartnell. Possibly his most prominent role was as Father Bernard, the Master of Novices in Oh Brother!.

Among his stage roles was the title character in Cymbeline for the Old Vic in 1957.

Francis died of a heart attack in Wimbledon, London, at the age of 60.

Selected filmography

The Criminal (1960) as The Priest No Love for Johnnie (1961) as Frank Two Living, One Dead (1961) as Broms Never Back Losers (Edgar Wallace Mysteries) (1961) as R.R. Harris The Inspector (1962) – Detective Inspector Captain Clegg (1962) as Squire Anthony Cobtree Backfire! (1962) as Arthur Tilsley Heart to Heart (1962) as Sir John Dawson-Brown Master Spy (1963) as Police Inspector (uncredited) Bitter Harvest (1963) as Mr. Jones The Hi-Jackers (1963) as Jack Carter Farewell Performance (1963) as Superintendent Raven Smokescreen (1964) as Dexter's Doctor (uncredited) This Is My Street (1964) as Fingus The Verdict (1964) as Superintendent Brett Ring of Spies (1964) as Chief Supt. Croft Master Spy (1964) as Police Inspector (uncredited) The Comedy Man (1964) as Merryweather The Tomb of Ligeia (1964) as Lord Trevanion Doctor Who (1965) as Emperor Nero The Little Ones (1965) as Paddy Rasputin, the Mad Monk (1966) as Innkeeper Press for Time (1966) as Ernest Corcoran (alderman) The Forsyte Saga (1967) as Elderson Jules Verne's Rocket to the Moon (1967) as Puddleby Carry On Doctor (1967) as Sir Edmund Burke What's Good for the Goose (1969) as Harrington Carry On Camping (1969) as a Farmer Crossplot (1969) as Sir Charles Moberley Carry On Loving (1970) as The Bishop Scrooge (1970) as Charity Gentleman Man of Violence (1971) as Sam Bryant Say Hello to Yesterday (1971) as Park Keeper The Statue (1971) as Sanders Carry On Henry (1971) as The Farmer Carry On Matron (1972) as Arthur Carry On Abroad (1972) as Brother Martin Who Killed Lamb? (1974) as Octavius Lamb To the Devil a Daughter (1976) as Bishop Dickens of London (1976) as Stage Manager Jabberwocky (1977) as Bishop The Wicked Lady (1983) as Lord Kingsclere Pope John Paul II (1984) as Bishop Lec A Christmas Carol (1984) as Pemberton (final film role)