John Horsley Biography

Fast Facts

• Was born to a doctor and a professional opera singer
• Passed away peacefully at Denville Hall, a home for actors over the age of 70
• First developed an interest in acting while he was in school
• In his late teens, he made his professional acting debut at the Theatre Royal Bournemouth
• Served in the Devon Yeomanry in Italy during World War II before being transferred to a unit that staged plays for the troops in England, France and Germany
• Quote: "[on Doc Morrissey] "He's a great chap to play and, funnily enough, popular with real-life doctors, particularly with the constant worrying about his own health․""
• Best known for playing a bumbling physician always ready to prescribe two Aspirin in the classic sitcom "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin․"
• His characters wavering between dignity and disgrace, he often appeared in period dramas or as aristocrats, officers, lawyers and clerks
• Though he was born in Essex, he moved to London as an infant and grew up there with his family
• Loved the theater, and saw his film appearances as ways to fill the time between his stage roles