Jack May
Biography
Jack May was a mellifluous-voiced actor best known for playing butlers and establishment figures, often representing Britain's interests in far-flung corners of the empire. With regards the former, he memorably played William E. Simms, former music hall artise turned manservant to Gerald Harper's titular swashbuckling adventurer in '60s TV cult classic Adam Adamant Lives! as well as providing the voice of Igor, the long-suffering valet in Cosgrove Hall's 1980s animation Count Duckula. His film credits included the district commissioner in 1975's The Man Who Would Be King and the prosecuting naval attorney in the remake of The Bounty (1984). For many, May was Nelson Gabriel 'the most disreputable character in Ambridge' in BBC Radio 4's long-running soap The Archers. May took the role of the shady rogue, later antique dealer and wine bar owner, in 1952 and continued to play him right up until the year of his death, 1997. This 45 year stint made May, at the time, the fourth-longest serving soap opera star in the world. He died at the age of 75, on 19 September 1997, survived by his wife, the actress Petra Davies, his daughter Henrietta, and son David.
Known For
Acting
1975
asDistrict Commissioner
1985
asDr Stevens
1945
asBoat Rental Man (uncredited)
1984
asProsecuting Captain
1954
as
1943
asPostman (uncredited)
1970
asEmma's father
1960
asEdwards
1960
asPolice Sergeant
1958
asSteerage Passenger (uncredited)
1969
asJudge Lomax
1962
asBurton
1981
asGarkbit (Head Waiter)
1950
asOld Man in Crowd (Uncredited)
1951
asSailor on the Dunbar (uncredited)
1969
asPrice (uncredited)
1962
asMO
1972
asWatts
1981
asMr. Franklyn
1970
asDr. Selbourne
1965
asEvans
1973
asDetective
1962
asInspector Hudson
1957
asRichard Johnson
1958
asNavy Doctor
1979
asGeneral Chapman
1976
asDr. Schultz
1981
asLord Runciman
1943
asPostman
1966
asShopkeeper
1979
asLord Chancellor
1944
asMourner
1943
asOld Man
1973
asJeremiah Horn
1967
asToby
1985
asSir Harry Stamp
1945
asChoir Member (uncredited)
1983
asBrigadier General
1988
asPsychiatrist
1994
asGrandfather
1983
asMr. Ardent - the Headmaster
1969
asGeneral Hermack
1968
asInspector Seekert
1966
as
1954
asPub Customer
1953
as
1948
asReveller
1971
asKing Reiter
1988
asSea Rat (voice)
1989
asIgor/Giant (voice)
1989
asIgor (voice)
1989
asIgor (voice)
1990
asIgor (voice)
1953
asBus Passenger (uncredited)
1984
asSea Rat (voice)
1997
as
1960
asPrison Visitor (uncredited)
as
asVicar
asGarkbit (Head Waiter)
as
asIgor (voice)
as
asEnglish Delegate
as
asCaradoc
as
asMinister
as
as
asCitizen (uncredited)
asDerrick Asher
as 
asas 
as
asas asHarry Turner
asJohn Stedman
asReverend Henty
asJames Ladbroke, Q.C.
asMr. Pratt
asThird Secretary
asDavid Gottlieb
asDuke of York
asCasca
asLt. Krov
asHerbert Ward
asKnight
asVoice of God (voice)
asChief Officer
asDetective
asMr Collins
asMason
asRalph Allen Daniell
asNewsvendor
asLord Gilroy
asMajor Quadring
Production
Crew
Directing
