Robert James

Robert James (28 March 1924 – 31 July 2004) was a Scottish actor, who was best known for his television work.

Career Born in Paisley, Scotland, James trained to be a lawyer, before being spotted by a professional director while performing in amateur dramatics.

A handful of James' television performances have survived, but many of were amongst those discarded by UK broadcasters throughout the 1960s and 70s. One of his most remembered roles was in Doctor Who, playing the character Lesterson in the 1966 serial The Power of the Daleks. These six missing episodes now only exist as still photographs and audio recordings, although the serial was recreated as an animation in 2016. He would later return to the show in the serial The Masque of Mandragora.

Marriage He was married to actress Mona Bruce (1924-2008), until his death; they had one child, Clair Mcallister.

Death James died in 2004, aged 80, from Alzheimer's disease in Middlesex, England.

Theatre Year Title Role Theatre Company Director Notes 1971 Confessions of a Justified Sinner Wringhim Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh Richard Eyre Edinburgh International Festival

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1956 Around the World in 80 Days Extra (uncredited) 1958 A Night to Remember Engineer (uncredited) 1959 The Bridal Path Inspector 1960 Two-Way Stretch Police Superintendent 1962 Masters of Venus Stewart Film serial 1963 Bitter Harvest Police Sergeant (uncredited) 1968 The Love Bug Driver #31 1971 Mary, Queen of Scots John Knox 1974 Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter Pointer 1984 John Wycliffe: The Morning Star Bishop Courtenay 1993 Soft Top Hard Shoulder Campbell The Satan Killer Radio DJ (voice) 1996 The Innocent Sleep Hopkin

Television Year Title Role Notes 1958 The Diary of Samuel Pepys Father of Child and Duke of Buckingham 3 episodes1961 A Chance of Thunder Hilton 3 episodes Pathfinders to Venus Colonel Korolyov Third sequel to Target Luna Triton Lord Nelson 2 episodes 1961–1968 The Avengers Merlin / Jenkins / Mellor / Ronnie Vance / Ronnie Vance 5 episodes 1962–1969 Dr. Finlay's Casebook James Gibson 11 episodes 1963 Z-Cars Maison Episode: "Enquiry" 1964 Smuggler's Bay Mr. Glennie 5 episodes1965 Scales of Justice Mr. Durrant Episode: "The Hidden Face" For Whom the Bell Tolls Lieutenant Berrendo 2 episodes 1965–1969 Out of the Unknown Kelvin Brooke / Dr. Kersh 2 episodes 1965–1971 The Troubleshooters Alastair McFee / Barry / Eldridge 3 episodes 1966; 1976 Doctor Who Lesterson / High Priest / Man 2 serials: The Power of the Daleks; The Masque of Mandragora 1969 Counterstrike Pythian Episode: "The Lemming Syndrome"1970 The Six Wives of Henry VIII Robert Barnes Episode: "Anne of Cleves" The Borderers Maitland of Lethington 2 episodes 1970–1972 Doomwatch Halliday (GLC Man) / Barker 2 episodes1972 The Shadow of the Tower Earl of Derby / Lord Stanley 5 episodes The Befrienders Shaky Man Episode: "Nobody Understands Miranda" 1973 Orson Welles Great Mysteries Mr. Granger Episode: "The Monkey's Paw" 1973–1974 Sutherland's Law Hamish McNab 2 episodes 1973–1979 The Onedin Line Rowland Biddulph / Major Nesbitt 6 episodes 1974 Steptoe and Son Doctor Episode: "Upstairs, Downstairs, Upstairs, Downstairs" 1975 The Five Red Herrings Sir Maxwell Jamieson 3 episodes (Adaptation of the Lord Peter Wimsey story)1977 Nicholas Nickleby Newman Noggs 6 episodes The Mackinnons James Pringle 1978 The Four Feathers John (the butler) TV movie A Horseman Riding By Captain Gleeson Episode 12 Blake's 7 Ven Glynd Episode: "The Way Back" The Professionals David Merlin / Cusak 2 episodes Robin's Nest Doctor Episode: “As Long as He Needs Me” 1979 The Ravelled Thread Silas Tremble 6 episodes 1983 Shackleton Sir John Scott-Keltie 3 episodes 1984 The Jewel in the Crown Col. Beames Episode: "Daughters of the Regiment" 1988 Rumpole of the Bailey Dr. McAndrew Episode: "Rumpole and the Quality of Life" 1992 Casualty Gerry Mitchell Episode: "Cascade" 1993 Century Falls Dr. Josiah Naismith 4 episodes 1995 Taggart Robert Menzies Episode: "Black Orchid" 1998 Looking After Jo Jo High Court Judge 1999 Existo Bar Tender