Gerald Campion


Gerald Theron Campion was an English actor best remembered for his role as Billy Bunter in a 1950s television adaptation of books by Frank Richards.

Biography

His father Cyril Theron Campion – a playwright and screenwriter – and Blanche Louise Tunstall nee Bear – a cousin-german of Charlie Chaplin – married in 1920 in London. Campion was born in Bloomsbury, London, an only child.
He won a place at RADA at age 15, and appeared in numerous films and television programmes - mostly comedies. In 1937, he appeared in Tavs Neiiendam's radio play Inspiration to a Poet on the BBC Home Service.

His only major success was as Bunter, a juvenile role he played successfully despite being much older than his character. Campion later reprised the role in the BBC Radio 7 series Whatever Happened to...? in the episode that speculated on whether Bunter's form master at Greyfriars School, Horace Henry Samuel Quelch, became a secret agent.
In 1979, he recorded an appearance in Shada, a Doctor Who story which was not completed in its intended form.
After dropping out of acting, Campion ran clubs and restaurants in London's Soho, the best known of which is Gerry's, a long running private members' club attracting a mainly theatrical membership.

Personal life

  • First marriage with Jean M Sherman in London in 1947, ended in divorce, 1972.
  • *Anthea
  • *Anthony 1948
  • *Angelica 1962
  • Second marriage with Susan Marks in 1973.
He lived in Wittersham, Kent for many years. He and Suzie moved to France in 1991. He died in 2002 aged 81 in Agen, Aquitaine, France.

Selected filmography

  • The Drum – Soldier
  • The Ghost of St. Michael's – Pupil at Rear of Class
  • Take My Life – Newspaper Seller at Station
  • Miranda – Lift Boy
  • The Pickwick Papers – Joe, the Fat Boy
  • Top of the Form – Pugley
  • Knave of Hearts – Harry
  • Up to His Neck – Skinny
  • Fun at St. Fanny's – Fatty Gilbert
  • Jumping for Joy – Man with Ice Cream
  • Keep It Clean – Rasher
  • Hergé's Adventures of Tintin – Tintin
  • Carry On Sergeant – Andy Galloway
  • Inn for Trouble – George
  • School for Scoundrels – Proudfoot
  • Double Bunk – Charlie
  • Jigsaw – Glazier
  • The Fast Lady – Actor in Scottish TV show
  • A Home of Your Own
  • The Comedy Man – Gerry
  • Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines – Fireman
  • The Sandwich Man – Fred – Sandwich Man in Suit of Armour
  • The Sorcerers – Customer in China Shop
  • Half a Sixpence – Fat Boy
  • Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Minister
  • Atlantic Wall – Clergyman 2
  • Little Dorrit – Mr. Tetterby
  • Just Ask for Diamond – Uncle Holly