HOME

TheInfoList



Click Here for Items Related To - Oscar James
OR:
Oscar James on:   [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Amazon]

Oscar James (born 25 July 1942) is a
Trinidadian Trinidadians and Tobagonians, colloquially known as Trinis or Trinbagonians, are the people who are identified with the country of Trinidad and Tobago. The country is home to people of many different national, ethnic and religious origins. As a ...
actor, who is based in the United Kingdom. He has had a long and varied career, but is best known for appearing on British television, in particular the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
soap opera ''
EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a Television in the United Kingdom, British soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the Ea ...
'', where he played original character
Tony Carpenter Tony Carpenter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Oscar James, from 28 February 1985 until 28 May 1987. Happy-go-lucky Tony tries to carve himself a successful business and steady home for his family, but ...
for over two years. James resides in
north London North London is the northern part of London, England, north of the River Thames. It extends from Clerkenwell and Finsbury, on the edge of the City of London financial district, to Greater London's boundary with Hertfordshire. The term ''nort ...
.


Early life

James was born in Trinidad, and had a poor upbringing. He came to the United Kingdom in the 1950s.Oscar James interview"
BBC. Retrieved 22 April 2007. He initially worked as a taxi driver, a dish-washer and also a gymnast, but he always had aspirations to be an entertainer and followed his dream by becoming an actor.


Career

Roles for black actors were sparse during James' early career, but he persevered to become the fourth black actor to join the
Royal Shakespeare Company The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs over 1,000 staff and produces around 20 productions a year. The RSC plays regularly in London, St ...
and the first black actor to play ''
Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...
''. In 1972, he co-founded with fellow actor Alton Kumalo the first black British theatre company, Temba (the name derived from the Zulu word for "hope"), initially to produce new black writing from Britain and South Africa. Temba staged the first British production of Athol Fugard's ''
Sizwe Bansi is Dead ''Sizwe Banzi Is Dead'' (originally produced and published as: ''Sizwe Bansi is Dead'') is a play by Athol Fugard, written collaboratively with two South African actors, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, both of whom appeared in the original produ ...
''.Richard Anthony Baker
"Alton Kumalo" (obituary)
''The Stage'', 26 November 2013. James had early roles in television programmes such as '' Softly, Softly'' (1966); ''
Love Thy Neighbour Love Thy Neighbor or Love Thy Neighbour refers to the Biblical phrase "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" from the Book of Leviticus 19:18 in the Old Testament about the ethic of reciprocity known as the Golden Rule or the Great Commandment. ...
'' (1975); ''
Quiller Quiller is a fictional character created by English novelist Elleston Trevor. Quiller, whose one-word name is a pseudonym, works as a spy, and he is the hero of a series of 19 Cold War thrillers written under the pseudonym Adam Hall, and beca ...
'' (1975); ''
Till Death Us Do Part ''Till Death Us Do Part'' is a British television sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1965 to 1975. The show was first broadcast in 1965 as a ''Comedy Playhouse'' pilot, then as seven series between 1966 and 1975. In 1981, ITV continued the sitcom ...
'' (1975); ''
The Goodies The Goodies were a trio of British comedians: Tim Brooke-Taylor (17 July 1940–12 April 2020), Graeme Garden (b. 18 February 1943) and Bill Oddie (b. 7 July 1941). The trio created, wrote for and performed in their eponymous television comed ...
'' (the 1975 episode "
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
", in which he played
Enoch Powell John Enoch Powell, (16 June 1912 – 8 February 1998) was a British politician, classical scholar, author, linguist, soldier, philologist, and poet. He served as a Conservative Member of Parliament (1950–1974) and was Minister of Health (1 ...
); ''
Gangsters A gangster is a criminal who is a member of a gang. Most gangs are considered to be part of organized crime. Gangsters are also called mobsters, a term derived from ''mob'' and the suffix '' -ster''. Gangs provide a level of organization and r ...
'' (1976); ''
Angels In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God. Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles incl ...
'' (1976); '' The Professionals''; '' Out'' (1978); ''
Minder A minder is the person assigned to guide or escort a visitor, or to provide protection to somebody, or to otherwise assist or take care of something, i.e. a person who " minds". Government-appointed persons to accompany foreign visitors are of ...
'' (1979); '' Shoestring'' (1980); '' Tales of the Unexpected'' (1981) and ''
The Gentle Touch ''The Gentle Touch'' is a British police drama television series made by London Weekend Television for ITV which began on 11 April 1980 and ran until 1984. The series is notable for being the first British series to feature a female police off ...
'' (1984). He was the first black actor to appear in the
ITV ITV or iTV may refer to: ITV *Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of: ** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...
soap opera ''
Emmerdale Farm ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British soap opera that is broadcast on ITV1. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, '' ...
'' in 1978 as Antony Moeketsi, an African teacher who taught
Seth Armstrong Archibald Seth Armstrong is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ''Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British soap opera that is broadcast on ITV1. The show is set in Emmerdale (know ...
to read. However, he is best known for his role as
Tony Carpenter Tony Carpenter is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Oscar James, from 28 February 1985 until 28 May 1987. Happy-go-lucky Tony tries to carve himself a successful business and steady home for his family, but ...
in the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
television soap opera ''
EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a Television in the United Kingdom, British soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the Ea ...
''. James was one of the original cast members, appearing in the series from its debut in 1985 until 1987. Other TV credits include: ''
Minder A minder is the person assigned to guide or escort a visitor, or to provide protection to somebody, or to otherwise assist or take care of something, i.e. a person who " minds". Government-appointed persons to accompany foreign visitors are of ...
'' in the Series 1 episode "
Come in T-64, Your Time Is Ticking Away This episode list gives brief descriptions and some other details of the episodes of the ITV television series ''Minder'', set in contemporary London. The earliest episodes focus on Terry McCann (Dennis Waterman), a former professional boxer ...
" (1979), ''
Casualty Casualty may refer to: *Casualty (person), a person who is killed or rendered unfit for service in a war or natural disaster **Civilian casualty, a non-combatant killed or injured in warfare * The emergency department of a hospital, also known as ...
'' (1996), ''
Lovejoy ''Lovejoy'' is a British television comedy-drama mystery series, based on the novels by John Grant under the pen name Jonathan Gash. The show, which ran to 71 episodes over six series, was originally broadcast on BBC1 between 10 January 19 ...
'' (1994), '' London's Burning'' (2002), ''
Doctors Doctor or The Doctor may refer to: Personal titles * Doctor (title), the holder of an accredited academic degree * A medical practitioner, including: ** Physician ** Surgeon ** Dentist ** Veterinary physician ** Optometrist *Other roles ** ...
'' (2002; 2005), ''
The Bill ''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983. The programme focused on ...
'' (2006), ''
Crocodile Shoes II ''Crocodile Shoes II'' is a British six-part television series made by the BBC and screened on BBC One in 1996. The follow-up to ''Crocodile Shoes'', it was written by Jimmy Nail with Nick Mead as script associate. Where ''Crocodile Shoes'' fol ...
'' (2006), ''
The Line of Beauty ''The Line of Beauty'' is a 2004 Man Booker Prize-winning novel by Alan Hollinghurst. Plot The novel is set in Britain in three parts, taking place in 1983, 1986 and 1987. The story surrounds the young gay protagonist, Nick Guest. Nick is midd ...
'' (2006), ''
Holby City ''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as HOLBY CIY) is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama ''Casualty'', and pr ...
'' (2006), ''
Dream Team Dream Team may refer to: Sport Basketball * Dream Team, the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team in Barcelona * Dream Team II, the 1994 U.S. men's national basketball team at the FIBA World Championship * Dream Team III, the 1996 ...
'' (2002), ''
Afterlife The afterlife (also referred to as life after death) is a purported existence in which the essential part of an individual's identity or their stream of consciousness continues to live after the death of their physical body. The surviving ess ...
'' (2005) and the television drama ''Angel Cake'' (2006). He has also appeared in several films, including the 1977 film '' Black Joy'', where he played loan shark Jomo, and the 2005
Tim Burton Timothy Walter Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for his gothic fantasy and horror films such as ''Beetlejuice'' (1988), ''Edward Scissorhands'' (1990), ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'' (1993), ...
adaptation of ''
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' is a 1964 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. The story was originally ...
'', where he played the shopkeeper in whose shop
Charlie Bucket This is a list of characters in the 1964 Roald Dahl book ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'', his 1972 sequel ''Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator'', and the former's film adaptations, ''Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'' (1971) and ' ...
finds the final Golden Ticket. In 2004, James played Herbert in ''Oxford Road: the Story'', a radio play in which he worked alongside
Doña Croll Doña Croll (born 29 August 1953) is a Jamaican-born British actress. She is best known for her roles in British television soap opera playing Pearl McHugh in Channel 5's '' Family Affairs'', Vera Corrigan in the BBC Vera Corrigan '' Doctors' ...
, an actress with whom he had previously worked in
Kwame Kwei-Armah Kwame Kwei-Armah (born Ian Roberts; 24 March 1967 in Hillingdon, London) is a British actor, playwright, director, singer and broadcaster. He is best known for playing paramedic Finlay Newton in the BBC medical drama ''Casualty'' from 1999 unti ...
's play ''
Elmina's Kitchen ''Elmina's Kitchen'', first performed in May 2003, is the fifth play from the British actor, playwright and broadcaster, Kwame Kwei-Armah. Set in a West Indian restaurant in London, ''Elmina's Kitchen'' tells a tale of family, drugs and crime on ...
'' at the National Theatre. ''Elmina's Kitchen'' was adapted into a
BBC Four BBC Four is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It was launched on 2 March 2002
televised film in 2005, in which James also starred.


Partial filmography

* ''
A Matter of Choice ''A Matter of Choice'' is a 1963 British drama film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Anthony Steel, Jeanne Moody and Ballard Berkeley. The screenplay concerns two youths who accidentally kill a man. It was one of a number of low budget Br ...
'' (1963) - Dancing man at club (uncredited) * '' Man in the Middle'' (1964) - Court Martial stenographer (uncredited) * ''Never Mention Murder'' (1965) - Hospital Orderly (uncredited) * ''
Naked Evil ''Naked Evil'' is a black-and-white independent 1966 British horror film, written and directed by Stanley Goulder and starring Basil Dignam, Basil Dingnam, Anthony Ainley, Richard Coleman and John Ashley Hamilton. It was produced by Michael F. ...
'' (1966) - Dupree * '' Carry on Up the Jungle'' (1970) - Nosha Warrior (uncredited) * ''
The Breaking of Bumbo ''The Breaking of Bumbo'' is a 1970 British comedy film written and directed by Andrew Sinclair, a former Coldstream Guards National service officer that was updated from his 1959 novel of the same name that featured the Suez Crisis. It star ...
'' (1970) - Second Student * ''
All the Right Noises ''All the Right Noises'' is a 1971 British drama film directed by Gerry O'Hara and starring Tom Bell, Olivia Hussey, Judy Carne and John Standing. It is set in London. Premise A married man with two young children, working as a lighting techn ...
'' (1971) - Guard * '' Gumshoe'' (1971) - Azinge * ''
Pressure Pressure (symbol: ''p'' or ''P'') is the force applied perpendicular to the surface of an object per unit area over which that force is distributed. Gauge pressure (also spelled ''gage'' pressure)The preferred spelling varies by country and e ...
'' (1976) - Colin * '' Black Joy'' (1977) - Jomo * ''
Jaguar Lives! ''Jaguar Lives!'' is a 1979 American action film directed by Ernest Pintoff and starring Joe Lewis, Christopher Lee, Donald Pleasence and Barbara Bach. Its plot follows a secret agent who battles an international drugs ring. Plot Cast * J ...
'' (1979) - Collins * ''
Student Bodies ''Student Bodies'' is a 1981 American parody slasher film written and directed by Mickey Rose, with an uncredited Michael Ritchie co-directing. A spoof of slasher horror films such as ''Halloween'', ''Friday the 13th'' and '' Prom Night'', '' ...
'' (1981) - Football Coach * ''
Last Night at the Alamo ''Last Night at the Alamo'' is a 1983 American black-and-white independent film directed and co-produced by Eagle Pennell, written and co-produced by Kim Henkel and starring Sonny Carl Davis and Lou Perryman. Plot "The Alamo" is a dive bar in H ...
'' (1983) - Dub * ''
Water Water (chemical formula ) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a ...
'' (1985) - Miguel * '' Three Kinds of Heat'' (1987) - Unle Joe * '' Hardware'' (1990) - Chief * '' My Kingdom'' (2001) - Desmond * ''
If Only If Only may refer to: * ''If Only'' (film), a 2004 film directed by Gil Junger * ''If Only'' (TV series), an Armenian TV series * ''If Only'' (book), Geri Halliwell's 1999 autobiography * "If Only" (Dove Cameron song), 2015 * "If Only" (KT Tunstall ...
'' (2004) - Superintendent * ''
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' is a 1964 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka. The story was originally ...
'' (2005) - Shopkeeper * ''Shoot the Messenger'' (2006) - Rodney Pascale * ''Oh Happy Day'' (2007) - Storekeeper * '' Deadmeat'' (2007) - Detective Peters


References


External links

*
"Oscar James and Mustapha Matura in conversation"
National Theatre, July 2013. {{DEFAULTSORT:James, Oscar 1942 births Living people Trinidad and Tobago male film actors Trinidad and Tobago male stage actors Trinidad and Tobago male television actors Trinidad and Tobago taxi drivers British male film actors British male stage actors British male soap opera actors British taxi drivers Royal Shakespeare Company members Trinidad and Tobago emigrants to the United Kingdom Black British male actors 20th-century Trinidad and Tobago male actors 21st-century Trinidad and Tobago male actors 20th-century British male actors 21st-century British male actors 21st-century Trinidad and Tobago actors 20th-century Trinidad and Tobago actors