Lennard Pearce
Encyclopedia
Lennard Pearce was an English
actor who worked mostly in the theatre, but also appeared in a number of British television programmes. He landed his most notable TV role during the final few years of his life, starring as Edward "Grandad" Trotter
in the popular sitcom, Only Fools and Horses
from 1981 to 1984. In 2010 a prequel was aired following the lives of the Trotter family in the 1960s. Phil Daniels
is playing the part of Grandad Trotter in the spin-off Rock & Chips. It is uncertain whether more episodes will be written following the death of the writer John Sullivan
in April 2011, though these episodes may be written by Dan Sullivan, John's son, who previously wrote material for the previous Only Fools and Horses spin-off, The Green Green Grass
.
, in London
and performed for the Entertainments National Service Association
during World War II
. In the 1950s Pearce starred in many West End
plays. In the early 1960s, he understudied Doolittle in the original West End production of My Fair Lady
. After 1965, he appeared in many plays at the National Theatre
, including Much Ado About Nothing
and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. He worked with both Laurence Olivier
and Anthony Hopkins
on stage. In 1966, Pearce starred in an 18th Century called The Rivals, alongside David Jason
, but they wouldn't meet again until 15 years later.
In 1975, Pearce played the Owl in a Winnie the Pooh play at the Phoenix Theatre
, in London, and two years later, in 1977, Mr Witherspoon in Arsenic and Old Lace
at the Westminster Theatre
. He was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
.
in 1965, Dr Finlay's Casebook
(1967), Sykes
(1972) and Coronation Street
in May 1969 and April 1977, along with Play for Today, in 1966 and 1980. Pearce played Ronald Wardle in Crown Court in February 1984. Pearce starred as "Grandad" Trotter
in the first 23 episodes of the BBC
sitcom Only Fools and Horses
between 1981 and 1983, in a role with which he is most closely associated.
Pearce also appeared in an episode of Minder
named The Balance of Power, which was shown on Halloween
in 1984, along with playing Mr Coles in three episodes of Shroud for a Nightingale
in March 1984. Coincidentally, the man who replaced Pearce as the senior member of the Trotter family, Buster Merryfield
, also appeared in two episodes of the same series. Pearce's last TV appearance was on BBC 1's Children in Need
, on 23 November 1984.
, when he kept losing balance and repeatedly falling asleep. He was diagnosed as having critical hypertension
, and put on seven different tablets for it, taking these for the rest of his life. On 12 December 1984, Pearce suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to the Whittington Hospital
, admitted, and his condition improved. Two days later, Only Fools and Horses scriptwriter John Sullivan
visited him, and assured Pearce that his place in the programme would be open for him when he recovered. However, Pearce suffered a second heart attack, and died instantly, on the night of 15 December 1984. Sullivan was phoned the following morning to be told the news, and he broke it to Pearce's Only Fools and Horses co-stars David Jason
and Nicholas Lyndhurst
, who were both devastated by Pearce's sudden death.
When Pearce died, production was underway of the Only Fools and Horses episode Hole In One. Scenes he had filmed on location prior to his death were re-shot with Buster Merryfield
as the replacement character Uncle Albert, and the episode was put back in the series. The episode Strained Relations
begins in the wake of the death of the character Pearce had played.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
actor who worked mostly in the theatre, but also appeared in a number of British television programmes. He landed his most notable TV role during the final few years of his life, starring as Edward "Grandad" Trotter
Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)
Edward Kitchener "Ted" Trotter better known simply as Grandad, was a character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses from 1981-1984...
in the popular sitcom, Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
from 1981 to 1984. In 2010 a prequel was aired following the lives of the Trotter family in the 1960s. Phil Daniels
Phil Daniels
Philip W. "Phil" Daniels is an English actor, most noted for film and television roles as "cockneys" such as Jimmy in Quadrophenia, Richards in Scum, Stewart in The Class of Miss MacMichael, Mark in Meantime, Kevin Wicks in EastEnders, DCS Frank Patterson in New Tricks and Edward Kitchener "Ted"...
is playing the part of Grandad Trotter in the spin-off Rock & Chips. It is uncertain whether more episodes will be written following the death of the writer John Sullivan
John Sullivan (writer)
John Richard Thomas Sullivan OBE was an English television scriptwriter responsible for several popular British sitcoms, including Only Fools and Horses, Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends....
in April 2011, though these episodes may be written by Dan Sullivan, John's son, who previously wrote material for the previous Only Fools and Horses spin-off, The Green Green Grass
The Green Green Grass
The Green Green Grass is a British sitcom, created and initially written by John Sullivan, produced by Shazam Productions for the BBC. It is a spin-off of the long running sitcom Only Fools and Horses and stars John Challis, Sue Holderness and Jack Doolan...
.
Theatre
Pearce studied drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic ArtRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art is a drama school located in London, United Kingdom. It is generally regarded as one of the most renowned drama schools in the world, and is one of the oldest drama schools in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1904.RADA is an affiliate school of the...
, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and performed for the Entertainments National Service Association
Entertainments National Service Association
The Entertainments National Service Association or ENSA was an organisation set up in 1939 by Basil Dean and Leslie Henson to provide entertainment for British armed forces personnel during World War II. ENSA operated as part of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In the 1950s Pearce starred in many West End
West End of London
The West End of London is an area of central London, containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings, and entertainment . Use of the term began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross...
plays. In the early 1960s, he understudied Doolittle in the original West End production of My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady is a musical based upon George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe...
. After 1965, he appeared in many plays at the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
, including Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy written by William Shakespeare about two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero....
and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. He worked with both Laurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
Laurence Kerr Olivier, Baron Olivier, OM was an English actor, director, and producer. He was one of the most famous and revered actors of the 20th century. He married three times, to fellow actors Jill Esmond, Vivien Leigh, and Joan Plowright...
and Anthony Hopkins
Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, KBE , best known as Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage and television...
on stage. In 1966, Pearce starred in an 18th Century called The Rivals, alongside David Jason
David Jason
Sir David John White, OBE , better known by his stage name David Jason, is an English BAFTA award-winning actor. He is best known as the main character Derek "Del Boy" Trotter on the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses from 1981, the voice of Mr Toad in The Wind In The Willows and as detective Jack...
, but they wouldn't meet again until 15 years later.
In 1975, Pearce played the Owl in a Winnie the Pooh play at the Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix Theatre (London)
The Phoenix Theatre is a West End theatre in the London Borough of Camden, located on Charing Cross Road . The entrance is in Phoenix Street....
, in London, and two years later, in 1977, Mr Witherspoon in Arsenic and Old Lace
Arsenic and Old Lace (play)
Arsenic and Old Lace is a play by American playwright Joseph Kesselring, written in 1939. It has become best known through the film adaptation starring Cary Grant and directed by Frank Capra. The play was directed by Bretaigne Windust, and opened on January 10, 1941. On September 25, 1943, the...
at the Westminster Theatre
Westminster Theatre
The Westminster Theatre was a London theatre, on Palace Street in Westminster. It was originally built as the Charlotte Chapel in 1766, which was altered and given a new frontage for use as a cinema from 1924 onwards. It finally became a theatre in 1931 after radical alterations...
. He was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a 1,040+ seat thrust stage theatre owned by the Royal Shakespeare Company dedicated to the British playwright and poet William Shakespeare. It is located in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon - Shakespeare's birthplace - in the English Midlands, beside the River Avon...
.
Television
Pearce appeared in Dixon of Dock GreenDixon of Dock Green
Dixon of Dock Green was a popular BBC television series that ran from 1955 to 1976, and later a radio series. Despite being a drama series, it was initially produced by the BBC's light entertainment department.-Overview:...
in 1965, Dr Finlay's Casebook
Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV & radio)
Dr. Finlay's Casebook is a television series that was broadcast on the BBC from 1962 until 1971. Based on A. J. Cronin's novella entitled Country Doctor, the storylines centred on a general medical practice in the fictional Scottish town of Tannochbrae during the late 1920s...
(1967), Sykes
Sykes
Sykes is a British sitcom that aired on BBC1 from 1972 to 1979. Starring Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques, it was written by Eric Sykes, who had previously starred with Jacques in Sykes and A... and Sykes and a Big, Big Show ....
(1972) and Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
in May 1969 and April 1977, along with Play for Today, in 1966 and 1980. Pearce played Ronald Wardle in Crown Court in February 1984. Pearce starred as "Grandad" Trotter
Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)
Edward Kitchener "Ted" Trotter better known simply as Grandad, was a character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses from 1981-1984...
in the first 23 episodes of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses
Only Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
between 1981 and 1983, in a role with which he is most closely associated.
Pearce also appeared in an episode of Minder
Minder (TV series)
Minder is a British comedy-drama about the London criminal underworld. Initially produced by Verity Lambert, it was made by Euston Films, a subsidiary of Thames Television and shown on ITV...
named The Balance of Power, which was shown on Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
in 1984, along with playing Mr Coles in three episodes of Shroud for a Nightingale
Shroud for a Nightingale
Shroud for a Nightingale is a 1971 detective novel written by PD James in her Adam Dalgliesh series. Chief Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate the death of two student nurses at the hospital nursing school of Nightingale House...
in March 1984. Coincidentally, the man who replaced Pearce as the senior member of the Trotter family, Buster Merryfield
Buster Merryfield
Harry "Buster" Merryfield was an English actor best known for starring in the BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses.-Early life:...
, also appeared in two episodes of the same series. Pearce's last TV appearance was on BBC 1's Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
, on 23 November 1984.
Health problems
In 1980 Pearce was in a play at the Bristol Old VicBristol Old Vic
The Bristol Old Vic is a theatre company based at the Theatre Royal, King Street, in Bristol, England. The theatre complex includes the 1766 Theatre Royal, which claims to be the oldest continually-operating theatre in England, along with a 1970s studio theatre , offices and backstage facilities...
, when he kept losing balance and repeatedly falling asleep. He was diagnosed as having critical hypertension
Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...
, and put on seven different tablets for it, taking these for the rest of his life. On 12 December 1984, Pearce suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to the Whittington Hospital
Whittington Hospital
The Whittington Hospital is a British hospital in Archway, Islington, London. It is named after Richard Whittington.It is a district general hospital, although it is also a teaching hospital of the UCL Medical School and Middlesex University School of Health and Social Sciences.- History :Although...
, admitted, and his condition improved. Two days later, Only Fools and Horses scriptwriter John Sullivan
John Sullivan (writer)
John Richard Thomas Sullivan OBE was an English television scriptwriter responsible for several popular British sitcoms, including Only Fools and Horses, Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends....
visited him, and assured Pearce that his place in the programme would be open for him when he recovered. However, Pearce suffered a second heart attack, and died instantly, on the night of 15 December 1984. Sullivan was phoned the following morning to be told the news, and he broke it to Pearce's Only Fools and Horses co-stars David Jason
David Jason
Sir David John White, OBE , better known by his stage name David Jason, is an English BAFTA award-winning actor. He is best known as the main character Derek "Del Boy" Trotter on the BBC sit-com Only Fools and Horses from 1981, the voice of Mr Toad in The Wind In The Willows and as detective Jack...
and Nicholas Lyndhurst
Nicholas Lyndhurst
Nicholas Simon Lyndhurst is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses, Gary Sparrow in Goodnight Sweetheart, and as Adam Parkinson in Carla Lane's series Butterflies...
, who were both devastated by Pearce's sudden death.
When Pearce died, production was underway of the Only Fools and Horses episode Hole In One. Scenes he had filmed on location prior to his death were re-shot with Buster Merryfield
Buster Merryfield
Harry "Buster" Merryfield was an English actor best known for starring in the BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses.-Early life:...
as the replacement character Uncle Albert, and the episode was put back in the series. The episode Strained Relations
Strained Relations
"Strained Relations" is an episode of the BBC sitcom, Only Fools and Horses. It was the second episode of series 4, and was first screened on 28 February, 1985.-Synopsis:It is a day full of sorrow for Del Boy and Rodney, as their Grandad has died...
begins in the wake of the death of the character Pearce had played.
Comedy
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Nearest and Dearest Nearest and Dearest Nearest and Dearest is a British television sitcom that ran from 1968 to 1973. A total of 46 episodes were made, 18 in monochrome and 28 in colour... |
Doctor |
| 1981 | Bless Me Father Bless Me Father Bless me, Father was a British situation comedy starring Arthur Lowe, Daniel Abineri, Gabrielle Daye, Patrick McAlinney, David Ryall, Derek Francis and Sheila Keith. It was aired on ITV from 1978 until 1981 and described the adventures of an Irish Catholic priest, Father Charles Duddleswell and... |
Clerk of the Court |
| 1981–84 | Only Fools and Horses Only Fools and Horses Only Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003... |
Grandad Trotter Grandad (Only Fools and Horses) Edward Kitchener "Ted" Trotter better known simply as Grandad, was a character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses from 1981-1984... |
Drama
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Cathy Come Home Cathy Come Home Cathy Come Home is a 1966 BBC television play by Jeremy Sandford, produced by Tony Garnett and directed by Ken Loach, about homelessness. An industry poll rated it as the best British television drama ever made. Filmed in a gritty, realistic drama documentary style, it was first broadcast on 16... |
Ratepayer |
| 1974 | Antony and Cleopatra | Cleopatra's schoolteacher |
| 1980 | Hammer House of Horror Hammer House of Horror In 1980, Hammer Films created a series for British television, the Hammer House of Horror, which ran for 13 episodes with 51 minutes per episode... |
Vicar |