Harry Towb:THE VETERAN actor Harry Towb, who has died in a London hospital after a short illness, was a superb comedy talent and a gifted writer.
His genial approach, impeccable timing and a penchant for comedy-character work were the foundation stones on which a highly successful career was laid, spanning more than 55 years.
He was born in Larne in 1925. After leaving technical school in Belfast he won a Bing Crosby “sound-a-like” competition and caught the acting bug. He made his professional debut soon afterwards at the Guildhall, Derry.
He toured Ireland with various repertory companies before, in 1955, moving to London, where he quickly established himself with a West End debut in The Gentle Gunman. Following this, he was cast as Private Dooley in the successful BBC television series The Army Gamewith Charles Hawtrey and Alfie Bass. That same year he co-starred in the ATV comedy series The Randalls.
He appeared in more than 30 films, including Above us the Waves, The Gift Horse(with Trevor Howard), The Blue Max(with George Peppard), Barry Lyndon, The Thirty-Nine Steps, Lamb, and Pattonwith George C Scott.
Television appearances included Paradise Postponed, The Saint, Odd Men In, The Camomile Lawn, Home James, Heartbeat, The Manions of Americaand The Bill.
He performed in Ireland whenever the opportunity arose. At the Olympia in Dublin, he appeared in The House of Blue Leavesand his work at the Abbey included MacCook's Corner(directed by Sir Tyrone Guthrie), The Rivals, Philadelphia, Here I Come!and The Importance of Being Earnest.
At the Gate Theatre he starred, latterly, in Our Lady of Sligoand also appeared in the Beckett centenary festival in 2006.
Over the last decade or longer, he had established himself at the English National Theatre in a repertoire of plays and musicals from Guys & Dollsto Hamlet.
His last appearances were as Janine Butcher's fiance in EastEndersin December 2008 and in Gardens and Rosesfor BBC television last spring.
He wrote radio plays for RTÉ and the BBC and also wrote for the stage. His radio plays included Never Say Dieand Kaddish for McInerneywhich were broadcast by RTÉ in 1996 and 1997. He also wrote short stories and broadcast on RTÉ's Sunday Miscellany.
Harry Towb was an actor who brought real meaning to the term “trooper”. He could hold audiences in the palm of his hand and green room colleagues spellbound with his warmth and geniality.
He is survived by his wife, the actor Diana Hoddinott, his sons Josh and Dan and his daughter Emily.
Harry Towb, born July 27th, 1925; died July 23rd, 2009.