In The News

Actor Graham Stark passes away

Actor Graham Stark passes away

TRIBUTES have been paid to the actor Graham Stark who has passed away at the age of 91.

During his career, Mr. Stark appeared in some of the best British comedy films and television shows over a 50-year period. After studying at RADA his career plans had to be put on hold while serving in the R.A.F. during the Second World War. But during the fifties he became a familiar face on TV, appearing on such shows as A Show Called Fred, Hancock’s Half Hour and Son of Fred. He went on to land his own sketch show, The Graham Stark Show, in 1964

His movie credits included many of the Pink Panther series which starred his good friend Peter Sellers. He first appeared in A Shot in the Dark (1964) in the role of Inspector Clouseau’s assistant Hercule Lajoy (see below), going on to appear in a number of subsequent outings by Clouseau including The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) in which he played the hotel clerk in the scene in which the inspector is bitten by a dog (see below).

Among his other films were Alfie (1966), The Plank (1967), The Prisoner of Zenda (1979) and Superman III (1983).

He also wrote and directed two movies, the short Simon Simon in 1970 and The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins in 1971.

Away from acting, Mr. Stark was an accomplished photographer whose work was exhibited widely.

His autobiography, Stark Naked, was published in 2003.

Mr. Stark passed away in London after recently suffering a stroke. He is survived by his wife Audrey and three children.

To view footage of Mr. Stark in the role of Hercule Lajoy opposite Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, click here.

To see the dog bite scene from The Pink Panther Strikes Again, click here.

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