John Barron

John Barron (24 December 1920 – 3 July 2004) was an English actor. Although Barron was a familiar face on British television from the 1950s, he is best remembered for his role in the BBC comedy The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976–79) playing C.J., Perrin's overbearing boss.

Early life Born in Marylebone, London, Barron was interested in acting from an early age. For his 18th birthday, his godfather paid his entry fee to RADA. After serving as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, he returned to stage acting.

Career In the 1950s, Barron moved into a directorial role, during which time he came to know Leonard Rossiter. From the mid-1950s, he became more involved in television, and then film. His movies include The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961), Jigsaw (1962), Incense for the Damned (1970), Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973), Clash of Loyalties (1983), To Catch a King (1984) and Thirteen at Dinner (1985). He also appeared in such popular TV series as Crown Court, The Avengers, Emergency Ward 10, All Gas and Gaiters, Undermind, The Saint, Department S, Doomwatch, Timeslip, Potter, To the Manor Born, Whoops Apocalypse and Yes Minister. Although he had long-running roles in popular dramas like the police series Softly, Softly (where he played the assistant chief constable between 1967 and 1969), his best known role was in the situation comedy The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, which began in 1976, and starred Leonard Rossiter as the title character. He also appeared in the 1986 Christmas Special of Duty Free.

Barron was president of the actors' union Equity from 1978 to 1982, and vice-president in 1977 and again from 1984 to 1989.

Personal life Barron was married three times: first to the actress Joan Sterndale-Bennett, a marriage that soon ended in divorce; then to Joan Peart, who died in 1989 after 40 years of marriage; and finally to Helen Christie, who died in 1995. He had two stepdaughters, one each from the second and third marriages.

Barron's one hobby was enjoying fine wine, which he also inspired his friend Rossiter to take up.

An active supporter of the Conservative Party, Barron presented a Party Political Broadcast on their behalf in the 1980s and featured supporting his party's policies on the BBC's Newsnight programme.

Barron remained active in the acting profession until his death in 2004, aged 83.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1960 Sink the Bismarck! Officer P.R.O. Uncredited1961 The Day the Earth Caught Fire First Sub-Editor The Court Martial of Major Keller M.O. Aubrey1962 Jigsaw Ray Tenby 1971 Incense for the Damned Diplomat 1973 Hitler: The Last Ten DaysDr. Stumpfegger 1983 Al-Mas' Ala Al-Kubra General Haldane

Television Year Title Role Notes1948Acacia AvenueMichael CarrawayTV filmChildren to Bless YouRonnie Trent1949Mountain AirHamish Laurie 1953 BBC Sunday Night Theatre Cecil Harvey Episode: "The Lake"1957 Sword of Freedom Merchant Episode: "Angelica's Past"The Vise Tony Preem Episode: "Corpse with a Sword"1958 Dr. Marsden Episode: "Death in a Flask" Theatre Night Geoffrey Harrison Episode: "Any Other Business" ITV Television Playhouse Anthony Storey Episode: "The Heat of the Evening" Armchair Theatre Henry Walpole Episode: "I Can Destroy the Sun"1959 The Wright People Geoffrey Fairchild Series regular Glencannon John Castle Recurring role 1959–1964 Emergency Ward 10 Harold de la Roux Series regular1960 Hotel Imperial Episode: "The Cinderella in 104" On Trial Travers Humphreys Episode: "Sir Roger Casement" No Hiding Place Inspector Ferris Episode: "Raising Old Harry" Saturday Playhouse Charles Episode: "Family Occasion" BBC Sunday-Night Play Gerrard Episode: "The Wind and the Sun"ITV Play of the Week Lieutenant Colonel Reeve Episode: "Carrington V.C."1961 Dr. Horsham Episode: "Harriet" BBC Sunday-Night Play Patrick McNally Episode: "Off Centre" Our Mister Ambler Episode: "The Blow Lamp" Plateau of Fear Dr. Miguel Aranda Recurring role Deadline Midnight Globe's Counsel Episode: "Libel Story" 1962 Ghost Squad Lazenger Episode: "The Grand Duchess"A Chance to ShineHenryTV film1963 Tales of Mystery Colonel Masters Episode: "The Doll" Brian Rix Presents... Dr. Rodd Episode: "Caught Napping" Dial RIX Sir William Pardon Episode: "What a Chassis" Laughter from the Whitehall Freddie Neville Episode: "High Temperature"1964 Sergeant Cork Monsieur Billot Episode: "The Case of the Great Pearl Robbery" Story Parade Bartlett Episode: "The Flaw in the Crystal" Joan of Arc Archbishop Mini-series1965 Armchair Mystery Theatre Inspector France Episode: "Time and Mr Madingley" Undermind Sir Geoffrey Tillinger 2 episodes Cluff Mr. Liddler Episode: "The Dictator" 199 Park Lane Sir George Strudwick Recurring role Out of the Unknown Sir John Episode: "The Midas Plague"1966 The Man in the Mirror Edmund Beatty Recurring role The Avengers Henge Episode: "A Sense of History" Armchair Theatre Government Official Episode: "The Battersea Miracle" Pardon the Expression Lord Penge Episode: "The Dinner Party" Comedy Playhouse The Dean, The Very Reverend Lionel Pugh-Critchley Episode: "The Bishop Rides Again" Three Rousing Tinkles Consultant Episode: "The Best I Can Do for You by Way of a Gate-leg Table Is a Hundred-weight of Coal" The Troubleshooters Price Episode: "Someone's Head Has to Roll" The Woman in White Sir Percival Glyde Recurring role The Power Game Sir. Trevor Hoylake 2 episodes 1966–1969 Softly, Softly Assistant Chief Constable Austin Gilbert Series regular 1966–1971 All Gas and Gaiters The Dean, The Very Reverend Lionel Pugh-Critchley Series regular1967 Girl in a Black Bikini Francis Heager Recurring role The Beverly Hillbillies Chauffeur Recurring role 1968 The Saint Neal Lammerton Episode: "The Scales of Justice"1969 Jackanory Bert Episode: "No One Must Know" Department S Byrom Blain Episode: "The Bones of Byrom Blain" Hadleigh Minister Episode: "M.Y.O.B." 1970 Ace of Wands Bartlett Bonnington Episode: "The Smile" 1970–1971 Timeslip Morgan C. Devereaux Recurring role 1970–1972 Doomwatch The Minister Series regular 1971 The Mind of Mr. J.G. Reeder Earl of Colebrooke Episode: "Find the Lady"1972 Spyder's Web Admiral Manders Episode: "Red Admiral" Pathfinders James Harley Episode: "Sitting Ducks"1973 The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes Sir Revel Revell, Q.C. Episode: "The Missing Q.C.s" Ooh La La! Soldignac Episode: "Paying the Piper" Romany Jones Mr. Ruskin Episode: "Look After the Pennies" Harriet's Back in Town Peter Ward Recurring role The Protectors Insurance Executive Episode: "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" Thirty Minutes Worth 1 episode 1973–1982 Crown Court Justice Mitchenor Series regular1974The Turn of the ScrewMr. FredricksTV film1976 The Fosters Mr. Hudd Episode: "Situations Vacant" Victorian Scandals Colonel Truelove Episode: "A Pitcher of Snakes" 1976–1979 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin C.J. Series regular 1977 The Sunday Drama Doctor Episode: "The Late Wife" 1977–1978 The Foundation Sir Clive Farmer Series regular 1978 Wodehouse Playhouse Reverend Stanley Brandon Episode: "Mulliner's Buck-U-Uppo"1979 Spooner's Patch The Golf Club President Episode: "Par for the Course" The Glums Surgeon 1 episode Jackanory Playhouse Wizard of Crumm Episode: "The Wizard of Crumm and the Ice Princess" 1979–1980 Shelley Cyril Recurring role 1979–1983 Potter The Vicar Series regular 1980 The Gentle Touch Victor Beresford Episode: "Loyalties"1980-81BBC Television ShakespeareVincentio/Duke of VeniceEpisodes: The Merchant of Venice and Othello1981 To the Manor Born Lumsden 2 episodes Cowboys Surgeon Episode: "Operation Douche" 1981–1986 Yes Minister Sir Ian Whitchurch, Permanent Secretary to the Environment 2 episodes 1982 Whoops Apocalypse The Deacon Series regularThe Funny Side of ChristmasC.J.TV film1984To Catch a KingSelby Kelly Monteith Series regular 1984–1986 No Place Like Home Mr. Wilberforce 2 episodes1985 Alice in Wonderland The Caterpillar Mini-series Terry and June Judge Episode: "Terry in Court" Me and My Girl Mr. Brocklebank Episode: "Forty Years On"Thirteen at DinnerLord EdgwareTV film 1986 Duty Free Sir Geoffrey Stoneleigh-Jackson Episode: "A Duty Free Christmas" 1988 Don't Wait Up Sir Geoffrey Lawson 1 episode 1990 Brush Strokes Salamander General 1 episode 1992 In Sickness and in Health Sir Reginald Woodley 1 episode1994 The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna 1 episode Paris Degout's Father Episode: "La solitude" 1996 The Legacy of Reginald Perrin C.J. Series regular