Roddy Hughes

Rotund, cherubic-looking Welsh-born character actor, graduate of Oxford University. Hughes looked every inch the Marlborough House schoolmaster he was earlier in life, prior to embarking upon a theatrical career in 1910. Tailor-made for Dickensian impersonations, he was spot-on casting as Tim Linkinwater, partner and clerk for the Cheeryble Twins (one of whom he also played for a 1957 BBC TV serialisation), in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1947). Equally so, as old Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol (1951). Originally trained as a singer, Hughes first appeared on the London musical comedy scene during the First World War. During the 1920's, he was busy acting in plays at the West End, demonstrating a penchant for comedy. By the end of the decade, he even had a starring turn on Broadway in the popular comedy "Bird in Hand". Hughes entered films in 1932, often featured in small roles as tradesmen, doctors, butlers or minor officials. In later years, he alternated his screen roles with acting on stage. He retired from films in 1961 and died in February 1970 at the age of 78.