Best known for his gruff manner, his preposterous looks and his filthy cackle. Key roles included: Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond in "Carry On Up The Khyber", Sid Boggle in "Carry On Camping" and Henry VIII in "Carry On Henry". A South African-born former hairdresser, he was a prodigiously hard worker - just as well, since he was a chronic gambler who borrowed from friends (usually without repaying them) ...
show all Best known for his gruff manner, his preposterous looks and his filthy cackle. Key roles included: Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond in "Carry On Up The Khyber", Sid Boggle in "Carry On Camping" and Henry VIII in "Carry On Henry". A South African-born former hairdresser, he was a prodigiously hard worker - just as well, since he was a chronic gambler who borrowed from friends (usually without repaying them), and was invariably in debt to the Inland Revenue (The UK equivalent of the IRS). With Kenneth Williams, he was the best paid "Carry On" actor, earning £5000 per film. In 1976, at the age of 62, he had a heart attack on the opening night of "The Mating Season" at the Sunderland Empire, and died on the way to the hospital.
King of Carry On
Arrived in Britain on Dec 25th 1946, Using his army demob money on one-way tickets. Once described as "The man with a face like an unmade bed!". Voted (some time ago) to have the world's dirtiest laugh.
James, Sidney
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Genres: Comedy
