David Battley, a renowned British actor, was born on November 5, 1935, in Battersea, London, to John Battley, a post-WW2 Labour MP. As the elder son, David was born with a hole in his heart and was initially educated at home before attending a special school.
Despite his health condition, David later enrolled at Camberwell Art School but left before completing the course. He then worked for the family printing firm, Battley Brothers, before pursuing his passion for acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
David's acting career spanned multiple decades, with notable roles in various TV shows and films. He worked as a character actor and comic stooge, appearing in shows such as BBC-3, Redcap, Moll Flanders, The Good Life, and many more.
One of his most notable roles was as comic foil to Eric Idle in the BBC series Rutland Weekend Television (1975). Idle praised David's dry, poker-faced style on the show. David also played the Paul McCartney part in the original RWT sketch of The Rutles, a parody of The Beatles.
David appeared in numerous films and made-for-television movies, including Alice in Wonderland, Hotel Paradiso, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, S.O.S. Titanic, Mrs. Wilson's Diary, Up the Front, The Chastity Belt, The London Connection, and Krull. Among his last roles were a golf course employee in the episode "Tee Off, Mr. Bean" (1995) of the comedy series Mr. Bean and as a doctor examining new regimental recruits in Sharpe (1993).
David Battley passed away on January 20, 2003, at the age of 67, following a heart attack in Epsom, Surrey, England.
