Brian Hall (actor)

Brian Charles Hall (20 November 1937 – 17 September 1997) was an English actor perhaps best known for his role in the British sitcom Fawlty Towers where he played the hotel chef Terry Hugh.

Career

Hall was probably most familiar playing hard-boiled tough guy Cockney roles: his role as the amiable chef Terry in Fawlty Towers was an enjoyable casting against type. He played leading roles in police drama Softly, Softly: Taskforce (1971–72), crime drama McVicar (1980), and sitcom You Must Be The Husband (1987). He also had several guest-starring roles in The Professionals, The Long Good Friday, The Bill, London's Burning, The Sweeney and Minder in Series 1 episode You Gotta Have Friends.

Personal life

Hall established a very strong friendship with John Cleese when they appeared together in Fawlty Towers. Some years after the series had finished, Cleese sent Hall a personally signed autographed picture as a joke. Hall wrote back and demanded a "signed Rolls-Royce car" instead. Three days later, one arrived by mail - a children's toy.

Hall died on 17 September 1997, aged 59, after a three-year battle with cancer.

John Cleese expressed his sadness after his fellow Fawlty Towers star had died, saying, "I am very upset. I was particularly fond of Brian and had several conversations with him this year" (1997). "I admire profoundly the way in which he dealt with his cancer. I do not know where he found the strength." A year before his death, Hall told the Mirror: "Cancer is a bully and I hate bullies. This old boy cancer will get about as much change out of me as all the other bullies I've met - nothing."

One of Hall's closest friends, Billy Murray, also paid tribute. He said: "Brian and I grew up in the East End together. He was one of the most likeable, down-to-earth guys you could wish to meet and he confronted this terrible illness with the bravery and humour he showed throughout his life."

Filmography

External links

• Brian Hall at the Internet Movie Database