Biography for
Sid James (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

8 May 1913, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, South Africa

Date of Death

26 April 1976, Sunderland, Tyne-and-Wear, England, UK (heart attack)

Birth Name

Joel Solomon Cohen

Nickname

King of Carry On

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Mini Biography

Best known for his gruff manner, his preposterous looks and his filthy cackle. Key roles included: Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond in Carry On... Up the Khyber (1968), Sid Boggle in Carry on Camping (1969) and Henry VIII in Carry on Henry (1971). A South African-born former hairdresser, he was a prodigiously hard worker - just as well, since he was a chronic gambler who borrowed from friends (usually without repaying them), and was invariably in debt to the Inland Revenue (The UK equivalent of the IRS). With Kenneth Williams, he was the best paid "Carry On" actor, earning £5000 per film. In 1976, at the age of 62, he had a heart attack on the opening night of "The Mating Season" at the Sunderland Empire, and died on the way to the hospital.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Joolz

Spouse

Valerie James	(21 August 1952 - 26 April 1976) (his death) 2 children
Meg Williams	(1943 - 17 August 1952) (divorced) 1 child
Berthe Sadie Delmont	(12 August 1936 - 1940) (divorced)

Trade Mark

The dirtiest laugh in film

Trivia

Arrived in Britain on Dec 25th 1946, spending his army demob money on one-way tickets. Once described as "The man with a face like an unmade bed!". Voted (some time ago) to have the world's dirtiest laugh.

Career prior to acting was as a top ladies' hairdresser in South Africa.

Sid and Meg had a daughter Reine (named after Sid's mother)

Frequently remembered as a former boxer, but he never actually was! People got that impression that he had been a boxer from his craggy features and bulbous nose.

He is the father of Stephen James, a musician and sound technician who appeared on Fortran 5's debut album "Blues", in October 1991. The song "Bike" heavily sampled Sid's voice and distinctive laugh. Also, Sidney James' portrait appears on the album cover.

Collapsed and died on-stage of a heart attack while appearing in "The Mating Game" at the Empire Theatre, Sunderland.

Was the regular sidekick-cum-bête noir of Tony Hancock throughout the six series of the radio series "Hancock's Half Hour". Likewise, became Hancock's regular pal in the TV series "Hancock's Half Hour" (1956), until the final series when Hancock decided it was getting too much like a double act.

Sid was nicknamed "One take James" because he nearly always did it right first time. He was also earning the highest daily rate of any British character actor.

In late 1960s, he attended a showbusiness houseparty near the Thames and, according to a TV news bulletin, was the hero of the hour because fire broke out and Sid kept dashing back indoors to help others to safety. Apparently, the emergency services had to eventually restrain him from re-entering the fire.

Was infamous for using branded products in the Carry On films and advertising them. In one particular film he opened a cupboard to reveal a cupboard full of Johnny Walker Red Label Scotch Whiskey.

Had an affair with "Carry On..." series star Barbara Windsor from 1973 until his death in 1976. Their life together is chronicled in the movie Cor, Blimey! (2000) (TV). Ms. Windsor is an advisor to the cast.

His daughter, Sue James, is a children's TV Producer.

Suffered a serious heart attack in 1967, and was therefore replaced by Phil Silvers as the star of Follow That Camel (1967).

His son, Steve James is a music producer.

His best friends were his Carry On co-stars Patsy Rowlands and Peter Butterworth.

Salary

Carry On... Up the Khyber (1968)

£ 4,500

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