Fred Emney

Frederick Arthur Round Emney (12 February 1900 – 25 December 1980) was an English character actor and comedian.

Emney was born in Prescot, Lancashire, the son of Blanche (née Round) and Fred Emney, a music hall entertainer. His great-uncle was the actor Arthur Williams. Emney junior grew up in London and was educated at Cranleigh School. He became a familiar figure to screen audiences, usually playing the "posh fat bloke", usually gruff and invariably wearing a monocle. During the 1950s, he had his own television show which featured sketches and deft piano pieces often composed by him. Some were released on record. He had a short spell as straight man to puppets Pinky and Perky.

His sister Joan Emney was an actress who sometimes appeared with him in the same stage productions.

Fred Emney died in Bognor Regis, Sussex, on Christmas Day 1980.

Filmography

A Man of Mayfair (1932) - (uncredited) Brewster's Millions (1935) - Freddy Come Out of the Pantry (1935) - Lord Axminster The Lilac Domino (1937) - Baron Ladislas de Gonda Let's Make a Night of It (1937) - Henry Boydell Jane Steps Out (1938) - General Wilton Hold My Hand (1938) - Lord Milchester Luck of the Navy (1938) - Cook Just like a Woman (1939) - Sir Charles Devoir Yes, Madam? (1939) - Sir Charles Drake-Drake She Couldn't Say No (1939) - Herbert The Middle Watch (1940) - Adm. Sir Reginald Hewett Just William (1940) - Mr. Brown Let the People Sing (1942) - Sir George Denberry-Baxter Fun at St. Fanny's (1955) - Dr. Jankers The Fast Lady (1962) - 1st Golfer A Home of Your Own (1964) - The Mayor Father Came Too! (1964) - Sir Francis Drake I've Gotta Horse (1965) - Lord Bentley Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965) - Colonel San Ferry Ann (1965) - Gourmet Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) - Man in Soho The Sandwich Man (1966) - Sir Mervyn Moleskin Oliver! (1968) - Workhouse Chairman The Assassination Bureau (1969) - Elevator Victim (uncredited) Lock Up Your Daughters! (1969) - Earl of Ware The Italian Job (1969) - Birkinshaw The Magic Christian (1969) - Fitzgibbon Under the Table You Must Go (1969) - Himself (documentary) Doctor in Trouble (1970) - Father Up the Chastity Belt (1971) - Mortimer Mistress Pamela (1974) - Dr. Livesey The Amorous Milkman (1975) - Magistrate Adventures of a Private Eye (1977) - Sir Basil (final film role)