Jonathan was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, and spent his formative years in Skipton, North Yorkshire, often referred to as "the Gateway to the Dales." His early passions included Rugby Union, where he played for Upper Wharfedale, Football, and the Theatre. A dedicated English teacher, Mr. Thomas, nurtured his love of drama, prompting Jonathan to audition for and join the National Youth Theatre.
He appeared in several West End productions, including Shakespeare's Henry V and Peter Terson's Zigger Zagger, among others. After graduating with honors in Theatre Studies at Warwick University, Jonathan trained as an actor at The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Jonathan made his professional debut in 1980 at the Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, where he played in 14 different shows, ranging from Shakespeare to Pantomime, with a few musicals in between. He then moved to Southampton to play Falstaff in Henry IV part 1.
In 1981, he made his television debut alongside Ian Lavender in the David Nobbs sitcom The Hello Good-bye Man for the BBC. This led to a meeting with Alan J.W. Bell, the Producer/Director of Last of the Summer Wine, which resulted in Jonathan starring as the beloved character Crusher/Milburn in the show throughout the 1980s. He also appeared in First of the Summer Wine, a successful spin-off.
Over the past 40 years, Jonathan has become a familiar face on British television, appearing in a wide range of shows, including Emmerdale, Casualty, The Bill, The Governor, Heartbeat, Peak Practice, London's Burning, Silent Witness, Dempsey and Makepeace, Ultimate Force, and Dalziel and Pascoe, among many others. He has also appeared in numerous made-for-television movies.
In addition to his television work, Jonathan has had a successful stage career, appearing in the West End as Frank Rowley in the original production of Up'n'Under, as Miss Trunchbull in the original production of Roald Dahl's Matilda, and as Bottom in Midsummer Night's Dream at the Globe. He has also appeared in numerous repertory productions across the UK.
Jonathan has written and directed several pantomimes, including productions alongside Ken Dodd, Charlie Williams, Lulu, Linda and Bernie Nolan, Steven Lewis, and Bill Owen. Most recently, he played Don Vito Corleone in Echoes of Artemesia in Florence, Rome, and London.
As a commercial actor, Jonathan has appeared in over 50 television commercials, promoting a wide range of products and services. He has also worked on two blockbuster Hollywood movies, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, playing the villainous Olgilvey Head Gunner aboard the Flying Dutchman.
In addition to his acting career, Jonathan is a successful portrait artist, and prints of his paintings are sold worldwide. He is also known for his one-man show, "From Holmfirth to Hollywood," in which he shares stories from his long and successful career in acting.
