Anecdotes

Although he played Dick Van Dyke's father in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), he was six months his junior in real life.

His hair fell out during a single week when he was 19. He tried wearing a wig to cover up his bald head but soon rejected it because it looked like "a dead moth on a boiled egg".

His parents were members of the Salvation Army, and worked in a mission in London's East End.

He served in the British Military during World War II where he was stationed at Burma (now Myanmar).

An Associate Member of RADA.

He retired from acting in 2001 after being diagnosed with vascular dementia.

He made about 20 Ministry of Information films after the war.

His film Baxter! (1973) won a Golden Bear Award. Les enfants du chemin de fer (1970) got a Hollywood St Christopher Award. The Amazing Mr. Blunden (1972) got a French Gold Medal Meliere Award for Best Fantasy.

Although he played June Thorburn's father in The Scarlet Blade (1963), he was only five years her senior in real life.

Got an army commission in the Oxford and Bucks Regiment in WWII and was attached to Radio SEAC as an announcer and impressario.

Got the role of Dr Ezra Mungo in the film Appelez-moi chef (1963) after Terry-Thomas turned it down.

Trained at RADA 1947 - 48.

In late 1970 it was announced that the production of 'The Man Born to be Queen' in which he, Judy Geeson and Wilfred Hyde White were to star had been delayed until Spring '71 due to Tony Curtis being involved in filming a television series for Lew Grade. In the end it was never made.

Children Elizabeth born 1953, Martha born 1958, Timothy born 1960.

Father of (Timothy) Ty Jeffries (also known as "Miss Hope Springs"), Elizabeth Jeffries, and Martha Jeffries.

Spent 2 years at Lichfield Repertory which was where he met his wife Eileen Walsh.

Educated at Wimbourne, Dorset.

He was considered for the roles of Dr. Hans Fallada, Dr. Armstrong and Sir Percy Heseltine in Lifeforce - L'étoile du mal (1985).

Made his stage debut in Man of the World at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London.