Jack Howarth (actor)
Jack Howarth | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Jack Howarth as Albert Tatlock in Coronation Street | |
| Born | John Aubrey Conway Howarth 19 February 1896 Rochdale, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 31 March 1984 (aged 88) |
| Resting place | Ashes scattered on Colwyn Bay |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1908–1984 |
| Spouse |
Sarah Elizabeth Murgatroyd
(m. 1929) |
| Children | 1 |
John Aubrey Conway Howarth, MBE (19 February 1896 – 31 March 1984) was an English stage, radio and television actor, best remembered for his role as grumpy but likeable elderly war veteran Albert Tatlock in the TV series Coronation Street between 1960 and 1984, in which he was an original cast member. Prior to his work with Coronation Street, he had a lengthy career in theatre, and in the radio soap opera Mrs. Dale's Diary.
Early and personal life
Born at 96 Mitchell Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, Howarth was the son of comedian Bert Howarth, and went to school with the singer and actress Gracie Fields.[1]
As a child, Howarth sold theatre programmes at the Theatre Royal, Rochdale, and in 1908 at the age of twelve he began playing juvenile roles on stage. He joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1914 and served in France and Belgium in World War I.[2]
He married Sarah E. "Betty" Murgatroyd at St Mary and St Peter Parish Church, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, on 25 July 1929.[3] The couple were married for 55 years, until Howarth's death and had a son, John Jr., in 1930. It was reported that Howarth bought his wife so much jewellery, she had to keep it in the bank.[1]
His interests included travel and paintings.[1]
Career
Howarth ran a small cinema after the outbreak of the First World War, having been a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers during that war. From 1935, he also ran his own theatre in Colwyn Bay, taking most of the male roles himself, due to the lack of men available to play the parts.
He toured the country in theatre performances where he met and married his wife Betty in Hull in July 1929. He also appeared in a number of films including The Man in the White Suit (1951) and Hobson's Choice (1954).
Howarth made his Coronation Street debut in the first episode in December 1960 and appeared in over 1,300 episodes until his final appearance on 23 January 1984, which was recorded in December 1983.
Death
Howarth spent his final years living in Deganwy, North Wales, with his wife.[4] On 31 March 1984, he died in Llandudno General Hospital from kidney failure and pneumonia, with his wife and son at his bedside.[1] Howarth was cremated six days later at a private funeral in Colwyn Bay.[1] He left his wife £60,000 in his will.[4]
Howarth was Britain's oldest working actor at the time of his death.[1] His death meant that William Roache, who played Albert Tatlock's nephew-in-law, Ken Barlow, was the only original actor left on Coronation Street at that time. The decision to kill off the Albert Tatlock character was made shortly after Howarth's real life death, and Tatlock's death was aired in the episode dated 14 May 1984.
A memorial service was held on 19 June 1984, at St Paul's, Covent Garden, attended by Leslie Crowther, Dickie Henderson, Geoff Love and David Jacobs.[5]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Jeannie | Porter | TV movie |
| 1947 | Mine Own Executioner | Party Guest | Uncredited |
| 1948 | The Men from the Ministry | TV movie | |
| 1949 | Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass | Humpty Dumpty | TV movie |
| 1949 | Under the Counter | Mr. Burrouughs | TV movie |
| 1949 | The Bear and the Barrier Pigeon | Luka | TV Short |
| 1949 | When We Are Married | Alderman Joseph Helliwell | TV movie |
| 1949 | The Cure for Love | Hunter | |
| 1950 | The Magnet | Auction bidder | Uncredited |
| 1950–1956 | BBC Sunday Night Theatre | Timothy "Tubby" Wadlow / Mr Bullamy / Cast member 'The Island of Cipango' / Harry Wall / Amos Entwhistle / Ted Munter / Joe Robinson / Sam Ramsdale | 8 episodes |
| 1951 | The Man in the White Suit | Receptionist at Corland Mill | |
| 1951 | A Legend in China | On the Plate: Second Servant | TV movie |
| 1952 | Francis and Juniper | Merchant | TV Short |
| 1952 | Exercise Hush | Ted, the postman | TV movie |
| 1952 | The Secret Garden | Pedler | Episode: "The Door in the Wall" |
| 1952 | Scotland Yard Inspector | Minor role | Uncredited |
| 1952 | The Pickwick Papers | Stout Cricketer | Episode: "The Second Paper" |
| 1953 | The Great Game | Minor role | Uncredited |
| 1953 | The Shadow Man | Landlord | Uncredited |
| 1953 | Stand By To Shoot | Tug Wilson | Episode: "Falling Star" |
| 1953 | The Persian Kitten | Mr Clay | TV movie |
| 1954 | Hobson's Choice | Tubby Wadlow | |
| 1954 | What Every Woman Wants | Pub Customer | |
| 1955 | The Prince and the Pauper | Constable | Episode: "Hendon Hall" |
| 1955 | Postmark for Danger | Hotel Porter | Uncredited |
| 1956 | My Sister and I | Grandfather | 6 episodes |
| 1956 | Vanity Fair | Waiter at Vauchhall Gardens | 1 episode |
| 1957 | Nathanial Titlark | Croom – Garage owner | Episode: "O Woodman, Spare That Tree" |
| 1957 | Final at Fernell | Joe Trubshaw | TV Short |
| 1957 | The Mail van Murder | Cleaner | Short, Uncredited |
| 1957 | Professor Tim | Villager | |
| 1957–1958 | Be Soon | 3 episodes | |
| 1958 | Champion Road | Mr Briggs | 2 episodes |
| 1959 | ITV Play of the Week | Mr Fowle | Episode: "The Younger Generation" |
| 1959 | The Artful Dodger | Episode: "Going, Going, Gone!" | |
| 1959 | The Man From Room 5143 | Publican | Episode: "The Man Who Made Keys: Part 1" |
| 1959 | Glencannon | Mr. Tooth | Episode: "Pearl of Panama" |
| 1960 | Probation Officer | Mr Boyd | 1 episode |
| 1960 | Yorky | Mr Sellby | Episode: "What's in a Name?" |
| 1960 | Emergency - Ward 10 | Bertie Wallsaw | 1 episode |
| 1960 | BBC Sunday-Night Play | Harry | Episode: "Pay Day" |
| 1960 | Knight Errand Limited | Bootle | Episode: "The Conspirators" |
| 1960 | The Balloon and the Barron | Mr Brown | TV movie |
| 1961 | Armchair Theatre | Uncle Fred | Episode: "Honeymoon Postponed" |
| 1969 | All-Star Comedy Carnival | Albert Tatlock | TV movie |
| 1970 | Spring and Port Wine | 2nd bowler |
Permanent role
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1960–1984 | Coronation Street | Albert Tatlock | 1305 episodes, (final appearance) |
Charity work and Honours
Howarth was the subject of This Is Your Life in November 1974 when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on the set of Coronation Street. When Andrews said, "I'm taking you to London", Howarth replied "Oh no, you're not, you know." He was eventually persuaded to appear on the show, joined by the cast of Coronation Street, with tributes from stars including Bryan Mosley, Betty Driver, Eileen Derbyshire, Margot Bryant, Thora Hird and Arthur Lowe.
Howarth was made an MBE in January 1983 for his charity work, especially for supporting the disabled and children with general learning difficulties.[1] He was national vice-president for Scope, and left them £250 in his will. Howarth had raised more than £50,000 for the charity by collecting a donation each time he signed an autograph.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Star of the Street". The Guardian. 2 April 1984.
- ^ Daily Mirror – 12 November 1980
- ^ http://www.yorkshirebmd.org.uk/cgi/marrind.cgi
- ^ a b c "Street Star Albert's £60,000". Evening Standard. 31 July 1984.
- ^ "Stars pay tribute to 'Albert'". Evening Standard. 19 June 1984.
