John Barrard was a British character actor born in 1924 in Cape Town, South Africa, and passed away in 2013 in England, UK. He had a career spanning over five decades and is perhaps best known for playing Dooley, Santa's #2, in Santa Claus (1985).
Barrard's television appearances included a wide range of roles, such as the Concierge in 'The Count of Monte Cristo', Gatekeeper in an episode of Armchair Theatre (1956),George in The Larkins (1958),Napoleon in The Army Game (1960),Carlos the Pedlar in The Saint (1962),Mr Craddock in Crossroads (1964),the Shopkeeper in the Doctor Who story The Reign of Terror (1964),and two roles in Coronation Street; Harry Mascall in 1972 and Sidney Wilson in 1974.
He also appeared in other notable shows such as Ludo McAllister in Dr. Finlay's Casebook (1965),Sid Seaton in Softly, Softly (1966),Arnold Maddox in The Troubleshooters (1966),Harris in Public Eye (1968),Valarti in The Avengers (1969),Sir Bruce Ingoe in Callan (1969),King of Diamonds in Here Come the Double Deckers (1970),Mr Whitfield in Doctor at Large (1971),Shop Assistant in Budgie (1972),and Mr Forbes/Mr Finch in The Fenn Street Gang (1971-1972).
Furthermore, Barrard's television credits included Gem Setter in The Protectors (1972),Pilkington in Follyfoot (1973),Lionel in The Growing Pains of PC Penrose (1975),Chauffeur in The Sweeney (1976),Mr Oliver in Survivors (1977),Judge Lambsfoot in Dick Turpin (1980),Scruffy Man in The Professionals (1980),Dr Losborne in Oliver Twist (1982),Jonathon Hopper in Whoops Apocalypse (1982),Mr Barraclough/Executive in Metal Mickey (1980-1982),Lapsley/Josie's Dad in Last of the Summer Wine (1976-1983),Mr Adam in The Witches and the Grinnygog (1983),the Retired Morris Dancer in The Black Seal episode of The Black Adder (1983),Old Mr Brooks in We'll Think of Something (1986),Arkroyd in Never the Twain (1986-1987),Bernie in Terry and June (1979),Oskar Friedman in War and Remembrance (1989),Harold Wharton in One Foot in the Grave (1990),Anatole in Jeeves and Wooster (1990),Mr Pebbles in Sean's Show (1992),Baths Attendant in Minder (1993),Houseowner in Keeping Up Appearances (1990),Norman Spencer/Mr Jeffries in The Bill (1989-1999),Stamp Collector in Mr. Bean (1994) Security Guard in As Time Goes By (2000),and Mr Taylor in Doctors (2002).
Barrard's film roles included the Taxidermist in The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956),Lennie Ross in Cover Girl Killer (1959),Small Man in Peeping Tom (1960),There Was a Crooked Man (1960),Honeydew in The Primitives (1962),Consul in We Joined the Navy (1962),Zebra Man in Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the River (1968),Wedding Guest in Crossplot (1969),Patron in Our Miss Fred (1972),Blind Man in Tales from the Crypt (1972),Benjamite Elder in King David (1985),Dooley in Santa Claus: The Movie (1985),Walter in Buster (1988),and Old Man in Swinging with the Finkels (2011).
In addition, Barrard appeared in the theatre production The Tenth Man (1961) at the Comedy Theatre.
He was the Chairman of the North West London branch of the actors' union Equity.
Barrard passed away in 2013 at the age of 89. He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium on 17 October 2013 and his ashes were interred at the Golders Green Jewish Cemetery in May 2014.
