James Elliott

Biography

James Campbell Elliott was born in Glasgow, Scotland the second of 5 children to John Elliott and Katherine Campbell, and grew up in the Kelvinbridge area.

He emigrated from Scotland to Australia in December 1949, and took parts in radio plays and serials, and made several guesting parts in drama series including Consider Your Verdict and The Link Men and played Guildenstern in an ABC TV play of Hamlet, this being the first Shakespearean drama produced for Australian television. Other Shakespearean roles include Capulet in a theatre version Romeo and Juliet and a supporting role again at the ABC in The Tempest.

Elliot appeared in a role in the feature film of Ned Kelly in 1970 which starred Mick Jagger in the title role

Elliott was an original cast member of television soap opera Number 96 as Alf Sutcliffe, which in premiered March 1972. The show became Australia's highest-rated television program in 1973 and 1974. Alf and his wife Lucy (Elisabeth Kirkby) were immigrants from Yorkshire, England and Alf was presented as an archetypal "whingeing Pom" who complained constantly about Australia and longing to return to his native England, while proving himself incapable of holding down a regular job. The Sutcliffe's also endured Lucy's series of dramatic health concerns which included a breast cancer scare, blindness, and an unplanned pregnancy followed by a troubled birth, Alf however proved to be somewhat kind and understanding. In late 1973 the show had a feature film spin-off featuring much of the show's current cast, including both Elliott and Kirkby, reprising their television roles.

Despite once describing the serial as "instant television", Elliott played in Number 96 continuously for almost four years. In October 1975 Alf and Lucy were written out of Number 96 as part of a drastic remodelling of the show in the wake of declining ratings.

Elliott subsequently made guest appearances on Australian drama series such as Solo One (1976), Glenview High (1977), Chopper Squad (1978), played in three episodes of legal drama Case for the Defence (1978), and later appeared in an episode of crime drama Bellamy (1981). He also acted in feature films Summer City (1977), Money Movers (1978), Little Boy Lost (1978), Lady Stay Dead (1981), Brothers (1982).

His acting career was put on hold, when he tookma position as a tipstaff from 1982 and 1999

Later resuming his performing career he appeared in television guest appearances in series including Home and Away credited as Elliot James and three episodes of medical drama All Saints, in 2001 and 2003, and featured in film Running with the Boys. in 2008.

Personal life

James Elliott died peacefully from Dementia with Lewy bodies disease on 12 February 2011.

Filmography

Film Title Year Role Type 1959 Hamlet Guildenstern TV movie The Tempest Supporting role TV movie 1959 Lady in Danger Detective Pogson TV movie 1959 Crime Passionel Ivan TV movie 1961 A Night Out TV movie 1962 Fly by Night Seaman TV movie 1970 Ned Kelly Pat O'Donnell (uncredited cameo) Feature film 1974 Number 96 Alf Sutcliffe Feature film 1977 Summer City Caroline Father Feature film 1978 Money Movers Bengal Lancer Feature film 1978 Little Boy Lost Feature film 1978 Plunge Into Darkness Farmer TV movie 1981 Lady Stay Dead Patrolman Rex Dunbar Feature film 1982 Brothers Reverend Maynard TV movie 2008 Running with Boys Len

Television Title Year Role Type 1961 Whiplash Ryan TV series 1962 Consider Your Verdict TV series, 1 episode 1963 The Hungry Ones TV miniseries, 10 episodes 1968 Homicide Eric Smith TV series 1970 The Link Men Doctor TV series 1972 The Tony Hancock Special Man in Pub TV series 1972-75 Number 96 Alf Sutcliffe TV series, 174 episodes 1976 Solo One Terry Hood TV series, 1 episode 1977 Glenview High TV series, 1 episode 1978 Chopper Squad Roger TV series 1978 Case for the Defence Detective / Policeman / Crawford TV series, 3 episodes 1980 Water Under the Bridge Preacher TV series 1981 Bellamy Gardner TV series, 1 episode 1999 Home and Away Dr. Doug Chamberlain TV series 2001-03 All Saints Les Davidson / Rex Gordon TV series, 3 episodes