James Hazeldine
British actor James Hazeldine was a well-known face both on British Television and on Stage. Best known for his role as Mike "Bayleaf" Wilson in the ITV drama, London's Burning (1988), many real-life firefighters thought Bayleaf was the character who closely and accurately portrayed your average real-life firefighter, a credit to his acting abilities. A meticulous performer, he was well-known for researching every part he played, and firmly believed that by accurately portraying a character the audience would feel much more involved in and enveloped by the performance. He played the role continuously for seven years from the serial's inception in 1988. (The character's sobriquet stemmed from a culinary bent for complex recipes). In a career spanning three decades, he also guested in such series as 'Boon' and 'Miss Marple', and, in the late 1980s, played the manager of the electrics company in Central's early-evening situation comedy, Young, Gifted and Broke (1989). In 1995, Hazeldine's character was written out of London's Burning of the actor's own volition, but he remained with the programme as a director. In years to come, he expanded his directing talents to encompass other UK drama serials, among them TV's The Knock (1994) and Heartbeat (1992). His acting CV also included sporadic film appearances, such as Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982). Although renowned as a television performer, he was also a respected stage actor, having trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company and, at one time, acted on Broadway alongside Glenda Jackson. He was rehearsing for his role as Sigmund Freud in a new stage play, 'The Talking Cure', when he became ill. In 2002 he appeared in the controversial drama, Shipman, which re-enacted events surrounding the murderous killing spree of Dr Harold Shipman, Britain's most prolific serial killer. Hazeldine assumed the role of Detective Inspector Stan Egerton, the man charged with leading the investigation into the deranged doctor's crimes. Determined that the dramatization should be as authentic as possible, Hazeldine even met with the retired policeman to ensure a realistic portrayal of the diligent law enforcer. Ironically, while the Shipman drama was in production, the real-life Mr. Egerton died suddenly and prematurely of a coronary disorder. James Hazeldine died on 18 December 2002, aged 55. There will never be anyone quite like him again, British Television mourned the loss of a truly great actor, director and personality.
Known For
Credits
- 2002 · Harold Shipman: Doctor Death as DI Stan Egerton
- 2002 · The Inspector Lynley Mysteries as Dennis Luxford
- 2001 · Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years as Ivan Braithwaite
- 2000 · Hero of the Hour as D. I. Whelan
- 1999 · The Last Train as Austin Danforth
- 1999 · The Vice as
- 1997 · The Grand as
- 1997 · Midsomer Murders as Leo Bantock
- 1996 · Emma as Mr. Weston
- 1996 · Dalziel & Pascoe as
- 1992 · My Friend Walter as Charlie Throckmorton
- 1992 · Heartbeat as Reg Manston
- 1991 · Pirate Prince as Jack Prince
- 1991 · A Small Dance as Brian Matkin
- 1990 · Close Relations as Trevor
- 1989 · Young, Gifted And Broke as
- 1988 · Streets Apart as Bernie Walters
- 1987 · Truckers as Peter Picard
- 1987 · On the Palm as Mowbray
- 1987 · Inspector Morse as Digby Tuckerman
- 1987 · Business as Usual as Mark
- 1986 · Miss Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage as Lawrence Redding
- 1986 · Noel's Christmas Presents as
- 1986 · London's Burning as Mike 'Bayleaf' Wilson
- 1986 · London's Burning: The Movie as Michael 'Bayleaf' Wilson
- 1986 · Chocky's Challenge as
- 1986 · Chocky's Challenge as David Gore
- 1985 · The Corsican Brothers as Vincente Da Franchi
- 1985 · Chocky's Children as David Gore
- 1984 · Miss Marple as Lawrence Redding
- 1984 · Sherlock Holmes as Richard Brunton
- 1984 · Chocky as David Gore
- 1984 · Chocky as David Gore
- 1983 · Macbeth as Malcolm
- 1983 · One Summer as
- 1982 · John David as Patrick
- 1982 · Pink Floyd: The Wall as Lover
- 1980 · Exchange and Divide as Kenneth Carr
- 1979 · The Omega Factor as Tom Crane
- 1979 · Kids as
- 1978 · BBC Television Shakespeare as
- 1978 · The Medusa Touch as Lovelass
- 1978 · Red Shift as John Fowler
- 1978 · Forgotten Love Songs as Jack
- 1977 · Love on a Gunboat as Dennis Horncastle
- 1976 · The Lady of the Camellias as Gaston
- 1976 · Cilla's World Of Comedy as
- 1976 · For Services to Myself as Graham Banks
- 1974 · Stardust as Brian
- 1973 · Sam as Frank Barraclough
- 1973 · The National Health as
- 1973 · Kisses at Fifty as Chris
- 1972 · The Ruling Class as Fraser
- 1971 · Nicholas and Alexandra as Stalin
- 1971 · Everybody Say Cheese as George Green
- 1970 · Ride, Ride as Gerald
- 1970 · Play for Today as Patrick
- 1970 · Play for Today as Chris
- 1970 · The Long Distance Piano Player as Alf
- 1970 · Sovereign's Company as Dawkins
- 1969 · The Main Chance as Staff Sgt. Timson
- 1965 · BBC Play of the Month as
- 1964 · Horizon as Self
- 1951 · Hallmark Hall of Fame as Vincente de Franchi