Stephen Lewis, credited early in his career as Stephen Cato, was an English actor, comedian, director, screenwriter, playwright. He is best known for his roles as Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake On the Buses, Clem "Smiler" Hemmingway in Last of the Summer Wine, and Harry Lambert in Oh, Doctor Beeching!, although he also appeared in numerous stage and film roles.
Early life
Lewis was born at All Saints Maternity Hospital in Poplar, London, England. He worked as a bricklayer, electrician's mate and carpenter and also joined the Merchant Navy before turning to acting. He was persuaded to go to a performance by the Theatre Workshop, under their director Joan Littlewood. It was common, after these performances, to invite members of the audience to meet the cast. He was invited to an audition, landed the part, and left the sea to become a member of the company.
Stage
Lewis made his West End theatre debut with the transfer of Brendan Behan's The Hostage in 1958. In 1960 he wrote Sparrers Can't Sing with the Theatre Workshop, which was made into the film Sparrows Can't Sing in 1963, starring Barbara Windsor, Roy Kinnear and Lewis himself, as well as his future On the Buses co-star Bob Grant. He used the name Cato in his early stage career, but after writing Sparrows Can't Sing he was urged by his agent to use his real name.
Television
From 1969 Lewis starred in his best-remembered role as the gruff inspector Blakey in the British sitcom On the Buses, which ran for 74 episodes and spawned three films: On the Buses, Mutiny on the Buses, and Holiday on the Buses. He co-wrote 12 episodes with fellow star Bob Grant. Lewis was made up to look much older than his actual age with heavy make-up; he was only 42 when the programme began. A spin-off series, Don't Drink the Water, ran for two series. This featured Blakey retiring to Spain with his sister Dorothy. In the 1990s, Blakey appeared regularly on Jim Davidson's version of The Generation Game on BBC One. In addition, Lewis played a coach driver with very similar characteristics to Blakey in a 2000 edition of ITV's 1970s-set sitcom The Grimleys. He also appeared in Manhunt in a rare villainous role. He and Bob Grant starred in a TV show called "Jugg Brothers", but sadly it never got past the pilot episode.
Film
His film roles included A Prize of Arms, Negatives, Staircase with Richard Burton and Rex Harrison, Some Will, Some Won't, The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins, The Last Remake of Beau Geste, Personal Services, Out of Order, and The Krays. He also appeared in two British sex comedies, Adventures of a Taxi Driver and Adventures of a Plumber's Mate.
Later television roles
In 1988, he took on one of his longest-running roles, playing "Smiler" Hemingway in the BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine. The character appeared in many episodes for 17 years, until ill health forced Lewis to leave the series in 2007. In 1995, Lewis played Harry Lambert, the signalman, in the BBC pilot of sitcom Oh, Doctor Beeching!, which ran to two further series. He appeared as a guest in sitcoms such as One Foot in the Grave, 2point4 Children, Father, Dear Father and The Grimleys. He also played the character of Alf, a comedy writer, in the second series of The All New Alexei Sayle Show.
