John Challis is an accomplished character actor, personality and raconteur whose wide-ranging career has ranged from classical roles on the stage to heavies in television drama, a multitude of policemen, sitcom stardom, pantomime performances and even a one-man show. He wanted to act from a young age but was encouraged to get a "proper" job, so he ...
Carol Challis (m. 1990), Sabina Franklyn (m. 1983–1985), Debbie Arnold (m. 1980–1982), Jean Challis (m. 1964)
Parents
James Alec
Movies
The Tichborne Claimant, Burning an Illusion, Who Killed Lamb?, Subterrain, Tea For Two, Dream
TV Shows
The Green Green Grass, Doctor Snuggles, Only Fools and Horses
Star Sign
Leo
#
Quote
1
For me an appearance in Doctor Who (1963) in 1976 came along at the right time. I had got to a point in my life where I had wanted to give up acting. It had got to a point that I had even opened up a garden centre. This did not work and my mother had to bail me out financially. So when I got the call to appear as a villain in Doctor Who (1963) it came at the right time. It was a great job and I had so much fun. From doing that I had the chance to appear in a play, which lead to appearing in a Tom Stoppard play at The National Theatre. So what happened is I went from a bad time to having a wonderful period in my life.
2
Sad news of Lynsey de Paul, beautiful and talented singer/songwriter. Storm in a Teacup, one of my favourite songs.
3
Playing so many villains is really quite difficult for me because I can't fight. I've never been able to fight. I can play football and cricket and all that but I can't run and I can't fight.
4
[on Doctor Who (1963)] Tom's [Tom Baker] a lot of people's favourite Doctor. He loved a laugh. We had some great times, that was one of the happiest jobs I ever did.
5
Jamaica Inn (2014) looks very good but I haven't heard a single word...Either the actors are mumbling or the sound track is faulty.
6
[on Roger Lloyd Pack] Speaking as a rather theatrical actor myself, I sort of quite envied him the ability to suggest something by doing absolutely nothing.
7
We just knew that whatever else we did, however good we were in other roles, the most famous thing we'd ever do was Only Fools and Horses.... (1981). It was just so big. But it was wonderful to be in something that meant so much to people.
8
I think I prefer comedy, because there is no better feeling then to hear someone laughing- it's to do with making people happy.
#
Fact
1
According to David Jason, he was nothing like Boycie, his best known character from Only Fools and Horses.... (1981) and it's spin-off series The Green Green Grass (2005) in real life; to those who knew him he was charming, well spoken, an actor of great weight, a gentleman to work with and a team player.
2
To commemorate the completion of the notoriously troubled Only Fools and Horses.... (1981) episode A Royal Flush, he had T-shirts made for everyone, with a picture of a thumb and forefinger clenched around a nose, which is what the crew did when they were asked how long it would take to film the episode.
$800,000
