Daily Updates with RF Rizwan Farrukh
Jimmy Ellis, the Belfast-born actor who is best known for his roles in BBC police drama Z-Cars and along with a young Kenneth Branagh BBC Northern Ireland’s series of “Billy” plays has died. Mr. Ellis died from a stroke in Lincoln Hospital early on Saturday 8th March at the age of 82.
James Ellis was born in Belfast on 15 March 1931. He educated at the city’s Methodist College and Queen’s University, and then the Bristol Old Vic. Very soon he graduated to leading man after joining the Group Theatre. He starred in The Playboy of the Western World and such plays, after which he was appointed director of productions at the theatre in 1959.
He resigned shortly afterwards to direct and stage Sam Thompson’s play Over the Bridge in 1960, which the Group Theatre’s board had considered too debated.
Jimmy Ellis began his acting career in 1952 at Belfast’s Group Theatre before he moved to England in the early 1960s. His first big break was when he was cast as Bert Lynch in the police drama Z-cars, which ran from 1962 to 1978.
Director of BBC Northern Ireland, Peter Johnston said, “We are saddened to hear about the death of Jimmy Ellis. He was a major talent from Northern Ireland, famous for his roles in Z-Cars and the Billy plays.” “He will be deeply missed by all his colleagues on screen and on stage.” He added.
Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister, tweeted, “Very sorry to learn of the passing of Jimmy Ellis, one of our own, great actor and opponent censorship.”
Jimmy Ellis also starred in some of the UK’s best known and much favored programmes, including Doctor Who, Only Fools and Horses, Ballykissangel and In Sickness and in Health.
Mr. Ellis was awarded a nominal higher degree from Queen’s University in 2008 for services to the performing arts. Apart from the acting profession, Mr. Ellis was also a writer of poems and prose.
Although Mr. Ellis had lived in England for decades, his family have said that in line with his wishes, he will be buried in his home city.
