James Elliott (actor)
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Elliott (11 June 1928 – 12 February 2011) was a Scottish-born Australian theatre and television actor best known for his long-running role of Alf Sutcliffe in the 1970s television soap opera Number 96
.
Elliott was an original cast member of Number 96 which premiered March 1972. The show became Australia's highest-rated television program in 1973 and 1974. Alf and his wife Lucy (Elisabeth Kirkby
) were immigrants from Yorkshire, England and Alf was presented as an archetypal "whinging Pom" who complained constantly about Australia while proving himself incapable of holding down a job. He also endured Lucy's series of dramatic health concerns which included a breast cancer scare, blindness, and an unplanned pregnancy followed by a troubled birth, where he proved himself somewhat kind and understanding. In late 1973 the show had a feature film spin-off featuring much of the show's current cast, including Elliott, reprising their television roles.
Prior to Number 96 Elliott had acted in Australian radio plays and serials, made several guest appearances in Australian television series including Consider Your Verdict
and The Link Men
, and he played Guildenstern in an Australian Broadcasting Corporation
television production of the play Hamlet
—this production being the first Shakespearean drama produced on Australian television. Other Shakespearean roles included Capulet in Romeo and Juliet
for the Sydney University Players, and a supporting role in an Australian Broadcasting Corporation television production of The Tempest. Elliott also had a role in the feature film Ned Kelly
(1970).
Despite once describing the serial as "instant television", Elliot played in Number 96 continuously for almost four years. In October 1975 Alf and Lucy were written out of Number 96 as part of a drastic remodelling of the show in the wake of declining ratings. Elliott subsequently made guest appearances on Australian drama series such as Solo One
(1976), Glenview High
(1977), Chopper Squad
(1978), played in three episodes of legal drama Case for the Defence (1978), and later appeared in an episode of crime drama Bellamy
(1981). He also acted in feature films Summer City
(1977), Money Movers
(1978), Little Boy Lost
(1978), Lady Stay Dead (1981), Brothers (1982).
Later television guest appearances include three episodes of medical drama All Saints
, in 2001 and 2003.
James Elliott died peacefully on ,12 February 2011. He was survived by two sons with his first wife Mary, and one son by his second wife Elaine.
Number 96 (TV series)
Number 96 was a popular Australian soap opera set in a Sydney apartment block. Don Cash and Bill Harmon produced the series for Network Ten, which requested a Coronation Street-type serial, and specifically one that explored adult subjects...
.
Elliott was an original cast member of Number 96 which premiered March 1972. The show became Australia's highest-rated television program in 1973 and 1974. Alf and his wife Lucy (Elisabeth Kirkby
Elisabeth Kirkby
Elisabeth "Liz" Kirkby was an Australia-based theatre and television actress and politician known as a long time member of the New South Wales Legislative Council....
) were immigrants from Yorkshire, England and Alf was presented as an archetypal "whinging Pom" who complained constantly about Australia while proving himself incapable of holding down a job. He also endured Lucy's series of dramatic health concerns which included a breast cancer scare, blindness, and an unplanned pregnancy followed by a troubled birth, where he proved himself somewhat kind and understanding. In late 1973 the show had a feature film spin-off featuring much of the show's current cast, including Elliott, reprising their television roles.
Prior to Number 96 Elliott had acted in Australian radio plays and serials, made several guest appearances in Australian television series including Consider Your Verdict
Consider Your Verdict
Consider Your Verdict is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Seven Network originally screening from February 1961 through to June 1964. It was based on a radio series with the same name broadcast on 3DB in Melbourne from 1958 to 1960.The television series was...
and The Link Men
The Link Men
The Link Men was an Australian television series shown in 1970.The series was the first drama series made in-house by the Nine Network as part of an attempt to rival the cop shows produced by Crawford Productions such as Homicide and Division 4. The Link Men starred Kevin Miles, Bruce Montague and...
, and he played Guildenstern in an Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
television production of the play Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
—this production being the first Shakespearean drama produced on Australian television. Other Shakespearean roles included Capulet in Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
for the Sydney University Players, and a supporting role in an Australian Broadcasting Corporation television production of The Tempest. Elliott also had a role in the feature film Ned Kelly
Ned Kelly (1970 film)
Ned Kelly is a 1970 British adventure film. It was the second Australian feature film version of the story of 19th century Australian bushranger Ned Kelly....
(1970).
Despite once describing the serial as "instant television", Elliot played in Number 96 continuously for almost four years. In October 1975 Alf and Lucy were written out of Number 96 as part of a drastic remodelling of the show in the wake of declining ratings. Elliott subsequently made guest appearances on Australian drama series such as Solo One
Solo One
Solo One is an Australian television series made by Crawford Productions for the Seven Network and screened in 1976. There were 13 half hour episodes....
(1976), Glenview High
Glenview High
Glenview High is an Australian television drama series produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Seven Network between 1977 and 1978.-Story:...
(1977), Chopper Squad
Chopper Squad
Chopper Squad is an Australian television series produced by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the 0-10 Network .The series was based around the work of a helicopter rescue team operating on Dee Why beach in Sydney...
(1978), played in three episodes of legal drama Case for the Defence (1978), and later appeared in an episode of crime drama Bellamy
Bellamy (TV series)
Bellamy is an Australian television series made by the Reg Grundy Organisation for the Ten Network in 1981.The series focused on a maverick cop named Steve Bellamy . His partner was Detective Mitchell...
(1981). He also acted in feature films Summer City
Summer City
Summer City is a 1977 Australian film, most notable for having Mel Gibson in his first role. It was filmed in Sydney, Australia and is also known as Coast of Terror.-Plot:...
(1977), Money Movers
Money Movers
Money Movers is a 1978 crime action drama film directed by Bruce Beresford. The film was based on the book Money Movers by Devon Minchin, founder of Metropolitan Security Services...
(1978), Little Boy Lost
Little Boy Lost (1978 film)
Little Boy Lost is a 1978 Australian drama film starring Nathan Dawes as Stephen Walls, John Hargreaves as Jacko Walls, Lorna Lesley as Dorrie Walls, Tony Barry as Constable O'Dea and Steve Dodd as William Stanley, the Aboriginal tracker....
(1978), Lady Stay Dead (1981), Brothers (1982).
Later television guest appearances include three episodes of medical drama All Saints
All Saints (TV series)
All Saints is an Australian medical drama which first screened on the Seven Network. The series debuted on 24 February 1998 and concluded its run on 27 October 2009...
, in 2001 and 2003.
James Elliott died peacefully on ,12 February 2011. He was survived by two sons with his first wife Mary, and one son by his second wife Elaine.