Ian Carmichael

Ian Carmichael

Deceased · Born: Jun 18, 1920 · Died: Feb 5, 2010

Personal Details

BornJun 18, 1920 Kingston-Upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK
Spouse
  • Kate Fenton

    ( Dec 31, 1969 to Feb 5, 2010 )
  • Jean Pyman Maclean

    ( Oct 6, 1943 to Dec 31, 1969 )
Relatives
  • Kipp Hennen (Grandchild)

Biography

Ian Carmichael was a renowned British comedy actor, born on June 18, 1920, in Hull, Yorkshire, England, to Arthur Denholm Carmichael, an optician, and his wife Kate (Gillett). He received his education at Bromsgrove High School and Scarborough College, before being accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where he trained and made his stage debut as a mute robot in "RUR" in 1939.

Carmichael's early career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in Europe with the Royal Armoured Corps as a commissioned officer in the 22nd Dragoons. After the war, he returned to the theatre, appearing in various productions, including "She Wanted a Cream Front Door", "I Said to Myself", "Cupid and Mars", and "Out of the Frying Pan". He also honed his farcical skills in music hall revues, working with legends such as Hermione Baddeley and Dora Bryan.

Carmichael's breakthrough in film came with his association with late 50s "silly-ass" comedy, which included roles in the U.S. film "Betrayed" (1954) starring Clark Gable and Lana Turner, as well as the war-themed adventures "The Colditz Story" (1955) and "Storm Over the Nile" (1955). He co-starred in a series of droll satires for the Boulting Brothers and Ealing Studios, including "Simon and Laura" (1955),"Private's Progress" (1956),"I'm All Right Jack" (1959),"Lucky Jim" (1957),"Brothers in Law" (1957),and "Happy Is the Bride" (1958),firmly establishing him as a slapstick movie star.

The inane fun continued into the 60s with ripe vehicles such as "Skywatch" (1960),"School for Scoundrels" (1960),"Double Bunk" (1961),"The Amorous Mr. Prawn" (1962),and "Heavens Above!" (1963). During the late 1960s and 1970s, he found more fulfillment playing wry, bemused, upper-crust characters on comedy TV, particularly his Bertie Wooster in "The World of Wooster" (1965) which reunited him with frequent Boulting Brothers co-star Dennis Price as Jeeves, Wooster's chilly-mannered personal valet.

Carmichael made vigilant returns to the comedy stage whenever possible, appearing in lightweight vehicles such as "The Tunnel of Love", "The Gazebo", "Critic's Choice", "Birds on the Wing", "Darling, I'm Home", and "Springtime for Henry". He also appeared in his last musical "I Do! I Do!" in 1968.

Semi-retired since the mid-1980s, Ian continued to show elderly spryness here and there with a smattering of films including "The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins" (1971),"From Beyond the Grave" (1974),"The Lady Vanishes" (1979),and "Dark Obsession" (1989). On TV, he was quite popular in the role of the gentleman detective Lord Peter Wimsey in several crime mystery mini-series: "Clouds of Witness" (1972),"The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club" (1972),"Murder Must Advertise" (1973),"The Nine Tailors" (1974),and "Five Red Herrings" (1975),and had a recurring role on the TV series "Strathblair" (1992).

To cap his career off, he was honored as an OBE in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Career

{"id":103830997,"title":"The Royal","year":2003,"character":"T.J. Middleditch","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-royal","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103830997.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103830997.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
The Royal
The Royal as T.J. Middleditch
{"id":79709,"title":"The Great Kandinsky","year":"1995","character":"Patrick McCormick","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-great-kandinsky","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_79709.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_79709.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
The Great Kandinsky
The Great Kandinsky as Patrick McCormick
{"id":103839456,"title":"Strathblair","year":1992,"character":"Sir James Menzies","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/strathblair","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103839456.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103839456.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
Strathblair
Strathblair as Sir James Menzies
{"id":59638,"title":"Diamond Skulls","year":"1990","character":"Exeter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/diamond-skulls","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_59638.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_59638.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
{"id":10009,"title":"The Wind in the Willows","year":1984,"character":"Narrator (voice)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-wind-in-the-willows","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_10009.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_10009.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
The Wind in the Willows
The Wind in the Willows as Narrator (voice)
{"id":63119,"title":"The Wind in the Willows","year":"1983","character":"Rat","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-wind-in-the-willows-1983","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/79garjbrs2h0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/79garjbrs2h0.jpg"},"released":1}
1983
{"id":63985,"title":"The Lady Vanishes","year":"1979","character":"Caldicott","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-lady-vanishes-1979","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63985.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63985.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
{"id":103839576,"title":"The Nine Tailors","year":1975,"character":"Lord Peter Wimsey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-nine-tailors","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103839576.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103839576.jpg"},"released":1}
1975
The Nine Tailors
The Nine Tailors as Lord Peter Wimsey
{"id":64569,"title":"From Beyond the Grave","year":"1974","character":"Reginald Warren","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/from-beyond-the-grave","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/19s6g6bu5pr0.jpeg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/19s6g6bu5pr0.jpeg"},"released":1}
1974
From Beyond the Grave
From Beyond the Grave as Reginald Warren
{"id":103839583,"title":"The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club","year":1973,"character":"Lord Peter Wimsey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-unpleasantness-at-the-bellona-club","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103839583.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103839583.jpg"},"released":1}
1973
{"id":103834645,"title":"Clouds of Witness","year":1972,"character":"Lord Peter Wimsey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/clouds-of-witness","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103834645.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103834645.jpg"},"released":1}
1972
Clouds of Witness
Clouds of Witness as Lord Peter Wimsey
{"id":30468,"title":"The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins","year":"1971","character":"Mr. Ferris (segment \"Pride\")","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-magnificent-seven-deadly-sins","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_30468.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_30468.jpg"},"released":1}
1971
The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins
The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins as Mr. Ferris (segment "Pride")
{"id":65302,"title":"Smashing Time","year":"1967","character":"Bobby Mome-Rath","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/smashing-time","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65302.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65302.jpg"},"released":1}
1967
Smashing Time
Smashing Time as Bobby Mome-Rath
{"id":65690,"title":"Hide and Seek","year":"1964","character":"David Garrett","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hide-and-seek-1964","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65690.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65690.jpg"},"released":1}
1964
Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek as David Garrett
{"id":87892,"title":"Heavens Above!","year":"1963","character":"The Other Smallwood","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/heavens-above","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87892.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87892.jpg"},"released":1}
1963
Heavens Above!
Heavens Above! as The Other Smallwood
{"id":82231,"title":"The Amorous Mr. Prawn","year":"1962","character":"Cpl. Sidney Green","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-amorous-mr-prawn","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82231.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82231.jpg"},"released":1}
1962
The Amorous Mr. Prawn
The Amorous Mr. Prawn as Cpl. Sidney Green
{"id":94584,"title":"Double Bunk","year":"1961","character":"Jack Goddard","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/double-bunk","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_94584.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_94584.jpg"},"released":1}
1961
Double Bunk
Double Bunk as Jack Goddard
{"id":94647,"title":"Skywatch","year":"1960","character":"Lt. Ogleby","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/skywatch-1960","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_94647.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_94647.jpg"},"released":1}
1960
Skywatch
Skywatch as Lt. Ogleby
{"id":14769,"title":"School for Scoundrels","year":"1960","character":"Henry Palfrey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/school-for-scoundrels-1960","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14769.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14769.jpg"},"released":1}
School for Scoundrels
School for Scoundrels as Henry Palfrey
{"id":30496,"title":"I'm All Right Jack","year":"1959","character":"Stanley Windrush","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/im-all-right-jack","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_30496.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_30496.jpg"},"released":1}
1959
I'm All Right Jack
I'm All Right Jack as Stanley Windrush
{"id":173824,"title":"Left Right and Centre","year":"1959","character":"Robert Wilcot","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/left-right-and-centre","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_173824.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_173824.jpg"},"released":1}
Left Right and Centre
Left Right and Centre as Robert Wilcot
{"id":66530,"title":"Happy Is the Bride","year":"1958","character":"David Chaytor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/happy-is-the-bride","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66530.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66530.jpg"},"released":1}
1958
Happy Is the Bride
Happy Is the Bride as David Chaytor
{"id":66034,"title":"The Big Money","year":"1958","character":"Willie Frith","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-big-money","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66034.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66034.jpg"},"released":1}
The Big Money
The Big Money as Willie Frith
{"id":66818,"title":"Lucky Jim","year":"1957","character":"Jim Dixon","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/lucky-jim","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66818.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66818.jpg"},"released":1}
1957
Lucky Jim
Lucky Jim as Jim Dixon
{"id":94759,"title":"Brothers in Law","year":"1957","character":"Roger Thursby","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/brothers-in-law","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_94759.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_94759.jpg"},"released":1}
Brothers in Law
Brothers in Law as Roger Thursby
{"id":103831344,"title":"Bachelor Father","year":1957,"character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/bachelor-father","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103831344.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103831344.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":82471,"title":"Private's Progress","year":"1956","character":"Pte. Stanley Windrush","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/privates-progress-1956","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82471.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82471.jpg"},"released":1}
1956
Private's Progress
Private's Progress as Pte. Stanley Windrush
{"id":67062,"title":"Storm Over the Nile","year":"1955","character":"Tom Willoughby","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/storm-over-the-nile","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3udsnkoh5mfg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3udsnkoh5mfg.jpg"},"released":1}
1955
Storm Over the Nile
Storm Over the Nile as Tom Willoughby
{"id":66991,"title":"Simon and Laura","year":"1955","character":"David Prentice","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/simon-and-laura","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66991.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66991.jpg"},"released":1}
Simon and Laura
Simon and Laura as David Prentice
{"id":67006,"title":"The Colditz Story","year":"1955","character":"Robin Cartwright","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-colditz-story","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67006.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67006.jpg"},"released":1}
The Colditz Story
The Colditz Story as Robin Cartwright
{"id":67289,"title":"Betrayed","year":"1954","character":"Capt. Jackie Lawson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/betrayed-1954","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67289.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67289.jpg"},"released":1}
1954
Betrayed
Betrayed as Capt. Jackie Lawson
{"id":67811,"title":"Meet Mr. Lucifer","year":"1953","character":"Man Friday","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/meet-mr-lucifer","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67811.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67811.jpg"},"released":1}
1953
Meet Mr. Lucifer
Meet Mr. Lucifer as Man Friday
{"id":82669,"title":"Miss Robin Hood","year":"1952","character":"Office Junior","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/miss-robin-hood","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82669.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82669.jpg"},"released":1}
1952
Miss Robin Hood
Miss Robin Hood as Office Junior
{"id":67584,"title":"Ghost Ship","year":"1952","character":"Bernard","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ghost-ship-1952","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_67584.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_67584.jpg"},"released":1}
Ghost Ship
Ghost Ship as Bernard
{"id":33649,"title":"Time, Gentlemen, Please!","year":"1952","character":"P.R.O.","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/time-gentlemen-please","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_33649.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_33649.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":82842,"title":"The Gay Lady","year":"1949","character":"Bill the Postman (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-gay-lady","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82842.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82842.jpg"},"released":1}
1949
The Gay Lady
The Gay Lady as Bill the Postman (uncredited)
{"id":68721,"title":"Dear Mr. Prohack","year":"1949","character":"Hat Salesman (uncredited)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dear-mr-prohack","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_68721.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_68721.jpg"},"released":1}
Dear Mr. Prohack
Dear Mr. Prohack as Hat Salesman (uncredited)
{"id":187038,"title":"Bond Street","year":"1948","character":"Waiter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bond-street","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_187038.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_187038.jpg"},"released":1}
1948
Bond Street
Bond Street as Waiter
{"id":200854,"title":"To See Such Fun","year":"1977","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/to-see-such-fun","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_200854.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_200854.jpg"},"released":1}
1977