Sid James was a South African actor and comedian.
Appearing in British films from 1947, he was cast in numerous small and supporting roles into the 1960s. His profile was raised as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour, which ran on television from 1956 until 1960, and then he became known as a regular performer in the Carry On films, appearing in 19 films of the series with the top billing role in 17 (in the other two he was cast below Frankie Howerd). Meanwhile, his starring roles in television sitcoms continued for the rest of his life. He starred alongside Diana Coupland in the 1970s sitcom Bless This House which aired from 1971 until James died in 1976.
Remembered for a lascivious persona, the Snopes website describing him as "the grand old man of dirty laughter", he became known for his amiability in his later television work.Bruce Forsyth described him as "a natural at being natural.
On 26 April 1976, James was touring in The Mating Season, appearing at the Sunderland Empire Theatre when he died from a heart attack. Some, including comedian Les Dawsonclaim to have seen the ghost of James at the theatre.
