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{{short description|English actor}}
{{Short description|English actor (1915–1984)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2012}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2011}}
{{for|the electrical engineer|Leonard Pearce}}
{{for|the electrical engineer|Leonard Pearce}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Lennard Pearce
| name = Leonard Pearce
| image = File:Lennard_Pearce.png
| image = File:Lennard_Pearce.png
| caption = Pearce as '''[[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad]]''' in ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
| caption = Pearce as '''[[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad]]''' in ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1915|02|09|df=y}}<ref name="grave"/>
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1915|10|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Paddington]], London, England
| birth_place = [[Paddington]], London, England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1984|12|15|1915|2|9|df=y}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1984|12|15|1915|10|31|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Archway, London|Archway]], London, England
| death_place = [[Archway, London|Archway]], London, England
| alma_mater = [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
| alma_mater = [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]]
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1930s–1984
| years_active = 1930s–1984
| television = ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' (1981–1984, his death)
| television = ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' (1981–1984)
}}
}}


'''Lennard Pearce''' (9 February 1915 – 15 December 1984) was an English actor who worked mostly in the theatre, but also appeared in British television. He starred in the last years of his life as [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad]] in the sitcom ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'', from its beginning in September 1981 until his death in December 1984.
'''Leonard "Lennard" Pearce''' (31 October 1915 – 15 December 1984) was an English actor who worked in theatre and television. He was perhaps best known for playing [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad]] in the BBC television series ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'', from 1981 until his death in December 1984.


==early Life==
==Early life==
Pearce was born on February 9, 1915 <ref name="grave">{{cite web |title=Lennard Pearce |url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13328523/lennard-pearce |work=findagrave.com |date=7 June 2020}}</ref> in [[Paddington]], Pearce trained as an actor at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]], in London.
Born in [[Paddington]] as the youngest of five children, Pearce's father Sidney was killed in action during [[World War I]]. He trained as an actor at the [[Royal Academy of Dramatic Art]] in London.<ref name="hull"/>


==Career==
==Career==

===Theatre===
===Theatre===
As a young actor in the 1930s, he went on a performance tour in Germany. One theatrical performance was attended by senior members of the [[Nazi Party]]; at the end of the show, party officials came backstage to congratulate the cast, and Pearce shook hands with [[Adolf Hitler]]. Pearce later told his ''Only Fools and Horses'' co-star [[Nicholas Lyndhurst]] that he regretted not taking the opportunity to kill Hitler.<ref>{{cite news|title=Only Fools and Horses actor Lennard Pearce 'had the chance to kill Hitler'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/10/02/fools-horses-actor-lennard-pearce-had-chance-kill-hitler/|accessdate=2 October 2017|work=The Telegraph|location=London|date=2 October 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002141632/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/10/02/fools-horses-actor-lennard-pearce-had-chance-kill-hitler/|archivedate=2 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
As a young actor in the 1930s, Pearce joined a performance tour in Germany. According to [[Nicholas Lyndhurst]], one theatrical performance was attended by senior members of the [[Nazi Party]].<ref name="hitler" /> At the end of the show, party officials came backstage to congratulate the cast, and Pearce shook hands with [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref name="hitler"/> Lyndhurst claimed that Pearce said that he regretted not taking the opportunity to kill Hitler.<ref name="hitler">{{cite web |title=Only Fools and Horses star met Adolf Hitler and 'regretted' not killing him |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/only-fools-and-horses-star-met-adolf-hitler-and-regretted-not-killing-him-a3648276.html|work=standard.co.uk|date=2 October 2017}}</ref>


During [[World War II]], Pearce performed for the [[Entertainments National Service Association]] (ENSA). In the early 1960s, he understudied for [[Stanley Holloway]] as Alfred P. Doolittle in the original West End production of ''[[My Fair Lady]]''. After 1965, he appeared in many plays at the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]], including ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'' and ''[[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead]]''. He worked with both [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Anthony Hopkins]] on stage. In 1966, Pearce starred in [[Richard Brinsley Sheridan]]'s ''[[The Rivals]]'' alongside [[David Jason]], but the two men did not meet again until 15 years later.
During [[World War II]], Pearce performed for the [[Entertainments National Service Association]]. In the early 1960s, he understudied for [[Stanley Holloway]] as Alfred P. Doolittle in the original West End production of ''[[My Fair Lady]]''.<ref name="theatre"/> After 1965, he appeared in many plays at the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]],<ref name="theatre"/> including ''[[Much Ado About Nothing]]'' and ''[[Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead|Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead]]''.<ref name="theatre"/> He worked with both [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Anthony Hopkins]] on stage. In 1966, Pearce starred in [[Richard Brinsley Sheridan]]'s ''[[The Rivals]]'' alongside [[David Jason]], but Pearce and Jason did not meet again until 15 years later.<ref name="theatre">{{cite web |title=Lennard Pearce Past productions|url=https://theatricalia.com/person/267/lennard-pearce|work=theatricalia.com|access-date=7 May 2014}}</ref>


In 1975, Pearce played Owl in a theatre adaptation of ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'' at the [[Phoenix Theatre (London)|Phoenix Theatre]] in London and, two years later, Mr Witherspoon in ''[[Arsenic and Old Lace (play)|Arsenic and Old Lace]]'' at the [[Westminster Theatre]]. He was also a member of the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]].
In 1975, Pearce played Owl in a theatre adaptation of ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'' at the [[Phoenix Theatre (London)|Phoenix Theatre]] in London, and two years later, Mr. Witherspoon in ''[[Arsenic and Old Lace (play)|Arsenic and Old Lace]]'' at the [[Westminster Theatre]].<ref name="theatre"/> He was also a member of the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]].<ref name="theatre"/>


===Television===
===Television===
His other work includes ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'' (1965), ''[[Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV and radio)|Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]'' (1967), ''[[Sykes (TV series)|Sykes]]'' (1972) and ''[[Coronation Street]]'' in May 1969 and April 1977, along with ''[[The Wednesday Play]]'' ("[[Cathy Come Home]]", 1966). Pearce played a role in ''[[Crown Court (TV series)|Crown Court]]'' broadcast in February 1984.<ref name="imdb">{{cite web |title=IMDb > Grandad (Character) |url=https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0026067/ |publisher=[[IMDb]] |accessdate=27 January 2010}}</ref>
Pearce's television work includes ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'' (1965), ''[[Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV and radio)|Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]'' (1967),<ref name="imdb"/> ''[[Sykes (TV series)|Sykes]]'' (1972) and ''[[Coronation Street]]'' in May 1969 and April 1977, along with ''[[The Wednesday Play]]'' ("[[Cathy Come Home]]", 1966). Pearce also appeared in a ''[[Crown Court (TV series)|Crown Court]]'' broadcast in February 1984.<ref name="imdb">{{cite web |title=IMDb > Grandad (Character) |url=https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0026067/ |publisher=[[IMDb]] |accessdate=27 January 2010}}</ref>


In 1981, Pearce starred as [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad]] in the first three series of the [[BBC]] sitcom ''[[Only Fools and Horses]]'' between 1981 and 1983,<ref name="page100">{{cite web |title=The only fools and horses story Page 100 |url= https://archive.org/details/onlyfoolshorsess0000clar/page/100/mode/2up?view=theater |publisher=archive.org |accessdate=14 November 2022}}</ref>
In 1981, Pearce began his role as [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad]] in the first three series of the [[BBC]] sitcom ''[[Only Fools and Horses]].''<ref name="hull"/> He appeared in a 1984 episode of ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' named "The Balance of Power" and played Mr. Coles in three episodes of ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]'' in March 1984.<ref name="imdb"/> Pearce's last television appearance was on ''[[Children in Need]]'', broadcast on BBC1 on 23 November 1984.<ref name="imdb"/>
Pearce also appeared in an episode of ''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]'' named "The Balance of Power", which was shown on Halloween in 1984, along with playing Mr Coles in three episodes of ''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]'' in March 1984. Coincidentally, the man who replaced Pearce as the senior member of the Trotter family, [[Buster Merryfield]], also appeared in two episodes of the same series. Pearce's last TV appearance was an appearance on ''[[Children in Need]]'', broadcast on BBC1 on 23 November 1984.


==Health problems and death==
==Health problems and death==
In 1980, Pearce was in a play at the [[Bristol Old Vic]], when he kept losing balance and repeatedly falling asleep. He was diagnosed as having critical [[hypertension]], and put on seven different tablets for it, taking these for the rest of his life. A heavy smoker for many years, Pearce was in poor health while filming the first episode of series 4 of ''Only Fools and Horses''.<ref name="page100">{{cite web |title=The only fools and horses story Page 100 |url= https://archive.org/details/onlyfoolshorsess0000clar/page/100/mode/2up?view=theater |publisher=archive.org |accessdate=14 November 2022}}</ref> On 12 December 1984, he suffered a heart attack, and was rushed to the [[Whittington Hospital]], where his condition improved.<ref name="page100"/> Two days later, ''Only Fools and Horses'' scriptwriter [[John Sullivan (writer)|John Sullivan]] visited him, and assured Pearce that his place in the programme would be open for him when he recovered.<ref name="page100"/> However, following his discharge, Pearce suffered a second heart attack on 15 December at his flat in [[Archway, London|Archway]] and died instantly, He was 69.<ref name="grave"/>
In 1980, while Pearce was a cast member of a play running at the [[Bristol Old Vic]], he began to lose his balance and would frequently fall asleep. He was diagnosed with critical [[hypertension]]<ref name="hull">{{cite web |title=Only Fools and Horses - the tragedy and heartache that has blighted lovable cast |url= https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/only-fools-horses-tragedy-heartache-6586159 |publisher=hulldailymail.co.uk |date=1 February 2022}}</ref> and was prescribed medication. A heavy smoker for many years, Pearce was in poor health while filming the first episode of Series 4 of ''Only Fools and Horses''.<ref name="page100">{{cite web |title=The only fools and horses story Page 100 |url= https://archive.org/details/onlyfoolshorsess0000clar/page/100/mode/2up?view=theater |publisher=BBC|date=1998|website=archive.org |accessdate=14 November 2022}}</ref> He suffered a heart attack on 12 December 1984 and was rushed by ambulance to [[Whittington Hospital]], where his condition improved.<ref name="page100"/> Two days later, ''Only Fools and Horses'' scriptwriter [[John Sullivan (writer)|John Sullivan]] visited Pearce and assured him that his place in the programme would be left open for him when he recovered.<ref name="page100"/> After he was discharged, Pearce died instantly on 15 December after suffering a second heart attack at his flat in [[Archway, London|Archway]]. He was 69 years old.


Sullivan was phoned the following morning to be told the news, and he broke it to Pearce's ''Only Fools and Horses'' co-stars [[David Jason]] and [[Nicholas Lyndhurst]], who were devastated by Pearce's sudden death, as were the entire crew.<ref name="page100"/>
Sullivan heard the news the following morning and informed Pearce's ''Only Fools and Horses'' costars [[David Jason]] and [[Nicholas Lyndhurst]], who were devastated by Pearce's sudden death, as were the entire crew.<ref name="page100"/>


When Pearce died, production was under way of the ''Only Fools and Horses'' episode "[[Hole in One (Only Fools and Horses)|Hole in One]]". Scenes he had filmed on location prior to his death were re-shot with [[Buster Merryfield]] as the replacement character Uncle Albert, and the episode was put back in the series. The episode "[[Strained Relations]]" begins in the wake of the death of the character Pearce had played.<ref name="page100"/>
When Pearce died, production had begun for the ''Only Fools and Horses'' episode "[[Hole in One (Only Fools and Horses)|Hole in One]]."<ref name="page102"/> The episode was rewritten around Grandad's death, and scenes that had been filmed on location with Pearce were reshot with [[Buster Merryfield]] as the replacement character Uncle Albert.<ref name="page102">{{cite web |title=The only fools and horses story Page 102 |url= https://archive.org/details/onlyfoolshorsess0000clar/page/102/mode/1up |publisher=BBC|date=1998|website=archive.org |accessdate=14 November 2022}}</ref> The episode "[[Strained Relations]]" begins in the wake of the death of the Grandad character.<ref name="page102"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==

===Film===
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role
! Year !! Title !! Role
! class="unsortable" |Notes
|-
|-
|1961
|1961
|''[[The Wind of Change (film)|The Wind of Change]]''
|''[[The Wind of Change (film)|The Wind of Change]]''
|Market trader
|Market trader
|Uncredited
|Film
|-
|-
|1976
|1976
|''Face of Darkness''
|''Face of Darkness''
|Edward Langdon
|Edward Langdon
|
|Film
|}
|}


===Television===
===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role
! Year !! Title !! Role
! class="unsortable" |Notes
|-
|-
|1957–1958
|1957–1958
Line 74: Line 76:
|''The Case Before You''
|''The Case Before You''
|Victor Hardwick
|Victor Hardwick
|Episode: #1.1
|1 episode
|-
|1958 +1964
|''[[Armchair Theatre]]''
|Albert Waite Bill Brough
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|1964
|1964
|''[[Melissa (1964 TV series)|Melissa]]''
|''[[Melissa (1964 TV series)|Melissa]]''
|Detective Sergeant Heston
|Detective Sergeant Heston
|Episode: "Part 4"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1964
|1964
|''[[No Hiding Place]]''
|''[[No Hiding Place]]''
|1st Ambulance man
|1st Ambulance man
|Episode: "Aftertaste"
|1 episode
|-
|1958–1964
|''[[Armchair Theatre]]''
|Albert Waite Bill Brough
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|1964
|1964
|''[[Thorndyke (TV series)|Thorndyke]]''
|''[[Thorndyke (TV series)|Thorndyke]]''
|Shenston
|Shenston
|Episode: "The Puzzle Lock"
|
|-
|-
|1965
|1965
|''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]''
|''[[The Sullavan Brothers]]''
|Prison officer Gunter
|Mr. Kemp
|Episode: "Put Them Away for Keeps"
|1 episode
|-
|1965
|''Blackmail''
|George Dickson - Night Watchman
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1965
|1965
|''[[Undermind (TV series)|Undermind]]''
|''[[Undermind (TV series)|Undermind]]''
|Gregson
|Gregson
|Episode: "Test for the Future"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1965
|1965
|''Blackmail''
|''[[The Sullavan Brothers]]''
|George Dickson - Night Watchman
|Prison officer Gunter
|Episode: "Kill Me"
|1 episode
|-
|1965
|''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]''
|Mr. Kemp
|Episode: "Act of Violence"
|-
|-
|1966
|1966
|''[[The Wednesday Play]]''
|''[[ The Newcomers (TV series)|The Newcomers]]''
|Man in Courtroom
|Ratepayer
|Episode: #1.75
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1966
|1966
|''[[Emergency-Ward 10]]''
|''[[Emergency-Ward 10]]''
|Dr. Hammond, MOH
|Dr. Hammond, MOH
|Episode: #1.936
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1966
|1966
|''[[ The Newcomers (TV series)|The Newcomers]]''
|''[[The Wednesday Play]]''
|Ratepayer
|Man in Courtroom
|Episode: "Cathy Come Home"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1969
|1969
|''[[ Coronation Street]]''
|''[[Market in Honey Lane]]''
|Jasper Tewkes
|Mr. Bracegirdle
|Episode: #3.52
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1969
|1969
|''[[ The First Lady (British TV series)|The First Lady]]''
|''[[ The First Lady (British TV series)|The First Lady]]''
|Gierson
|Gierson
|Episode: "To Hell with Purity"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1969
|1969
|''[[ Market in Honey Lane]]''
|''[[Coronation Street]]''
|Mr. Bracegirdle
|Jasper Tewkes
|Episode: #1.876
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1967–1969
|1967–1969
|''[[ Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]''
|''[[Dr. Finlay's Casebook]]''
|Consultant John Dow Pearson
|Consultant John Dow Pearson
|3 episodes
|3 episodes
|-
|1970
|''[[A Family at War]]''
|Cowking
|Episode: "Hope Against Hope"
|-
|-
|1970
|1970
|''[[Nearest and Dearest]]''
|''[[Nearest and Dearest]]''
|Doctor
|Doctor
|Episode: "Make Yourself at Home"
|1 episode
|-
|1970
|''[[ A Family at War]]''
|Cowking
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1971
|1971
|''[[ Under and Over]]''
|''[[Take Three Girls]]''
|Fulton
|Secretary
|Episode: "Coda and Resolution"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1971
|1971
|''Advent of Steam''
|''Advent of Steam''
|Trundell
|Trundell
|Episode: "The Iron Horse: Part 1"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1971
|1971
|''[[ Take Three Girls]]''
|''[[Under and Over]]''
|Secretary
|Fulton
|Episode: "The Chaotic Ceilidh"
|1 episode
|-
|1972
|''[[Softly, Softly: Task Force]]''
|Pearson
|Episode: "The Amateur"
|-
|-
|1972
|1972
|''[[ Sykes (TV series)|Sykes]]''
|''[[ Sykes (TV series)|Sykes]]''
|Club Member
|Club Member
|Episode: "Uncle"
|1 episode
|-
|1972
|''[[Softly, Softly: Task Force]]''
|Pearson
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1974
|''[[Antony and Cleopatra (1974 TV drama)|Antony and Cleopatra]]''
|Cleopatra's Schoolteacher
|TV Movie
|-
|1974
|1974
|''[[Marked Personal]]''
|''[[Marked Personal]]''
Line 196: Line 193:
|2 episodes
|2 episodes
|-
|-
|1974
|''[[Antony and Cleopatra (1974 TV drama)|Antony and Cleopatra]]''
|Cleopatra's Schoolteacher
|TV movie
|-
|1975
|1975
|''Zigger Zagger''
|''Zigger Zagger''
|Headmastr
|Headmastr
|Episode: #1.1
|1 episode
|-
|1976
|''[[Within These Walls]]''
|Mr. Kearny
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1976
|1976
|''Victorian Scandals''
|''Victorian Scandals''
|Detective Sergeant Simmonds
|Detective Sergeant Simmonds
|Episode: "The Fruits of Philosophy"
|1 episode
|-
|1976
|''[[Within These Walls]]''
|Mr. Kearny
|Episode: "The Mystery"
|-
|-
|1977
|1977
|''Seven Faces of Woman''
|''Seven Faces of Woman''
|Customer in pub
|Customer in pub
|Episode: "She: The Barfly"
|1 episode
|-
|1980
|''[[Play for Today]]''
|Patient
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1980
|1980
|''[[Hammer House of Horror]]''
|''[[Hammer House of Horror]]''
|Rector
|Rector
|Episode: "Witching Time"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1980
|1978
|''[[Bless Me, Father]]''
|''[[Play for Today]]''
|Patient
|Clerk of the Court
|Episode: "Name for the Day"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1981
|1981
|''Second Chance''
|''Second Chance''
|Registrar
|Registrar
|Episode: "April II"
|1 episode
|-

|1981
|''[[Bless Me, Father]]''
|Clerk of the Court
|Episode: "Porgy and Bess"
|-
|-
|1981
|1981
|''[[Diamonds (UK TV series)|Diamonds]]''
|''[[Diamonds (UK TV series)|Diamonds]]''
|Priest
|Priest
|Episode: "My End is my Beginning"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1982
|''[[The Funny Side of Christmas]]''
|Grandad
|TV Movie
|-
|1982
|1982
|''[[Only Fools and Horses]]: Christmas Trees''
|''[[Only Fools and Horses]]: Christmas Trees''
|[[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter)]]
|Grandad
|TV Short
|TV Short
|-
|-
|1982
|''[[The Funny Side of Christmas]]''
|Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter)
|TV movie
|-
|1981–1983
|1981–1983
|''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
|''[[Only Fools and Horses]]''
| [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter)]]
| Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter)
|22 episodes
|22 episodes
|-
|-
|1984
|1984
|''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]''
|''[[Miracles Take Longer]]''
|Elderly man
|Mr. Coles
|Episode: #2.3
|3 episodes
|-
|-
|1984
|1984
|''[[Crown Court (TV series)|Crown Court]]''
|''[[Crown Court (TV series)|Crown Court]]''
|Ronald Wardle
|Ronald Wardle
|Episode: "Mother Figures: Part 1"
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1984
|1984
|''[[Only Fools and Horses]]: Licensed to Drill''
|''[[Shroud for a Nightingale]]''
|Mr. Coles
| [[Grandad (Only Fools and Horses)|Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter)]]
|3 episodes
|Video
|-
|1984
|''[[Miracles Take Longer]]''
|Elderly man
|1 episode
|-
|-
|1984
|1984
|''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]''
|''[[Minder (TV series)|Minder]]''
|George
|George
|Episode: "The Balance of Power"
|1 episode
|-
|1984
|''[[Only Fools and Horses]]: Licensed to Drill''
| Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter)
|Video
|}
|}


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[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:English male television actors]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
[[Category:British male comedy actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from London]]
[[Category:People from Paddington]]
[[Category:People from Paddington]]
[[Category:Actors from the City of Westminster]]

Revision as of 03:19, 19 November 2024

For the electrical engineer, see Leonard Pearce.
Leonard Pearce
Pearce as Grandad in Only Fools and Horses
Born(1915-10-31)31 October 1915
Paddington, London, England
Died15 December 1984(1984-12-15) (aged 69)
Archway, London, England
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
OccupationActor
Years active1930s–1984
TelevisionOnly Fools and Horses (1981–1984)

Leonard "Lennard" Pearce (31 October 1915 – 15 December 1984) was an English actor who worked in theatre and television. He was perhaps best known for playing Grandad in the BBC television series Only Fools and Horses, from 1981 until his death in December 1984.

Early life

Born in Paddington as the youngest of five children, Pearce's father Sidney was killed in action during World War I. He trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[1]

Career

Theatre

As a young actor in the 1930s, Pearce joined a performance tour in Germany. According to Nicholas Lyndhurst, one theatrical performance was attended by senior members of the Nazi Party.[2] At the end of the show, party officials came backstage to congratulate the cast, and Pearce shook hands with Adolf Hitler.[2] Lyndhurst claimed that Pearce said that he regretted not taking the opportunity to kill Hitler.[2]

During World War II, Pearce performed for the Entertainments National Service Association. In the early 1960s, he understudied for Stanley Holloway as Alfred P. Doolittle in the original West End production of My Fair Lady.[3] After 1965, he appeared in many plays at the National Theatre,[3] including Much Ado About Nothing and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.[3] He worked with both Laurence Olivier and Anthony Hopkins on stage. In 1966, Pearce starred in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals alongside David Jason, but Pearce and Jason did not meet again until 15 years later.[3]

In 1975, Pearce played Owl in a theatre adaptation of Winnie the Pooh at the Phoenix Theatre in London, and two years later, Mr. Witherspoon in Arsenic and Old Lace at the Westminster Theatre.[3] He was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.[3]

Television

Pearce's television work includes Dixon of Dock Green (1965), Dr. Finlay's Casebook (1967),[4] Sykes (1972) and Coronation Street in May 1969 and April 1977, along with The Wednesday Play ("Cathy Come Home", 1966). Pearce also appeared in a Crown Court broadcast in February 1984.[4]

In 1981, Pearce began his role as Grandad in the first three series of the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses.[1] He appeared in a 1984 episode of Minder named "The Balance of Power" and played Mr. Coles in three episodes of Shroud for a Nightingale in March 1984.[4] Pearce's last television appearance was on Children in Need, broadcast on BBC1 on 23 November 1984.[4]

Health problems and death

In 1980, while Pearce was a cast member of a play running at the Bristol Old Vic, he began to lose his balance and would frequently fall asleep. He was diagnosed with critical hypertension[1] and was prescribed medication. A heavy smoker for many years, Pearce was in poor health while filming the first episode of Series 4 of Only Fools and Horses.[5] He suffered a heart attack on 12 December 1984 and was rushed by ambulance to Whittington Hospital, where his condition improved.[5] Two days later, Only Fools and Horses scriptwriter John Sullivan visited Pearce and assured him that his place in the programme would be left open for him when he recovered.[5] After he was discharged, Pearce died instantly on 15 December after suffering a second heart attack at his flat in Archway. He was 69 years old.

Sullivan heard the news the following morning and informed Pearce's Only Fools and Horses costars David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst, who were devastated by Pearce's sudden death, as were the entire crew.[5]

When Pearce died, production had begun for the Only Fools and Horses episode "Hole in One."[6] The episode was rewritten around Grandad's death, and scenes that had been filmed on location with Pearce were reshot with Buster Merryfield as the replacement character Uncle Albert.[6] The episode "Strained Relations" begins in the wake of the death of the Grandad character.[6]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1961 The Wind of Change Market trader Uncredited
1976 Face of Darkness Edward Langdon

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1957–1958 Our Miss Pemberton Edward Simpson 6 episodes
1959 The Case Before You Victor Hardwick Episode: #1.1
1964 Melissa Detective Sergeant Heston Episode: "Part 4"
1964 No Hiding Place 1st Ambulance man Episode: "Aftertaste"
1958–1964 Armchair Theatre Albert Waite Bill Brough 2 episodes
1964 Thorndyke Shenston Episode: "The Puzzle Lock"
1965 The Sullavan Brothers Prison officer Gunter Episode: "Put Them Away for Keeps"
1965 Undermind Gregson Episode: "Test for the Future"
1965 Blackmail George Dickson - Night Watchman Episode: "Kill Me"
1965 Dixon of Dock Green Mr. Kemp Episode: "Act of Violence"
1966 The Newcomers Man in Courtroom Episode: #1.75
1966 Emergency-Ward 10 Dr. Hammond, MOH Episode: #1.936
1966 The Wednesday Play Ratepayer Episode: "Cathy Come Home"
1969 Market in Honey Lane Jasper Tewkes Episode: #3.52
1969 The First Lady Gierson Episode: "To Hell with Purity"
1969 Coronation Street Mr. Bracegirdle Episode: #1.876
1967–1969 Dr. Finlay's Casebook Consultant John Dow Pearson 3 episodes
1970 A Family at War Cowking Episode: "Hope Against Hope"
1970 Nearest and Dearest Doctor Episode: "Make Yourself at Home"
1971 Take Three Girls Fulton Episode: "Coda and Resolution"
1971 Advent of Steam Trundell Episode: "The Iron Horse: Part 1"
1971 Under and Over Secretary Episode: "The Chaotic Ceilidh"
1972 Softly, Softly: Task Force Pearson Episode: "The Amateur"
1972 Sykes Club Member Episode: "Uncle"
1974 Marked Personal Mr. Potts 2 episodes
1974 Antony and Cleopatra Cleopatra's Schoolteacher TV movie
1975 Zigger Zagger Headmastr Episode: #1.1
1976 Victorian Scandals Detective Sergeant Simmonds Episode: "The Fruits of Philosophy"
1976 Within These Walls Mr. Kearny Episode: "The Mystery"
1977 Seven Faces of Woman Customer in pub Episode: "She: The Barfly"
1980 Hammer House of Horror Rector Episode: "Witching Time"
1980 Play for Today Patient Episode: "Name for the Day"
1981 Second Chance Registrar Episode: "April II"
1981 Bless Me, Father Clerk of the Court Episode: "Porgy and Bess"
1981 Diamonds Priest Episode: "My End is my Beginning"
1982 Only Fools and Horses: Christmas Trees Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter) TV Short
1982 The Funny Side of Christmas Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter) TV movie
1981–1983 Only Fools and Horses Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter) 22 episodes
1984 Miracles Take Longer Elderly man Episode: #2.3
1984 Crown Court Ronald Wardle Episode: "Mother Figures: Part 1"
1984 Shroud for a Nightingale Mr. Coles 3 episodes
1984 Minder George Episode: "The Balance of Power"
1984 Only Fools and Horses: Licensed to Drill Grandad Trotter (Edward "Ted" Trotter) Video

References

  1. ^ a b c "Only Fools and Horses - the tragedy and heartache that has blighted lovable cast". hulldailymail.co.uk. 1 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Only Fools and Horses star met Adolf Hitler and 'regretted' not killing him". standard.co.uk. 2 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Lennard Pearce Past productions". theatricalia.com. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d "IMDb > Grandad (Character)". IMDb. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d "The only fools and horses story Page 100". archive.org. BBC. 1998. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "The only fools and horses story Page 102". archive.org. BBC. 1998. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
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