Jonathan Adams (British actor)

For other people named Jonathan Adams, see Jonathan Adams (disambiguation).

Jonathan Adams
as the Narrator in The Rocky Horror Show (photo: Joe Gaffney)
Born	John Adams (1931-02-14)14 February 1931 Northampton, England
Died	13 June 2005(2005-06-13) (aged 74) London, England
Occupation	Actor & artist
Spouse	Julia Vezza ​ ​ (m. 1969; div. 1976)​

Jonathan Adams (14 February 1931 – 13 June 2005) was an English actor specifically of television and film, but he also appeared in theatre roles. He was also an artist who continued exhibiting works throughout his life.

Biography

Born John Adams in Northampton, he trained as an artist at Northampton Art College and Chelsea College of Art. He became an acor in 1959 (changing his name to Jonathan Adams), but continued his work as an artist. His final exhibition, "Jonathan Adams in Wonderland", opened at the Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London, the April before his death. He was especially known for his surrealist cartoons and collages.

As an actor, he is best known for originating the role of the Narrator in the original 1973 London production of The Rocky Horror Show, and is featured on the original cast soundtrack; but is also famous for portraying the part of Dr. Everett Von Scott in the 1975 film version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

He played a number of roles in British theatre, TV and film, including work with The Actor's Company and at the Old Vic. On television, he played the part of Adam the shepherd in the TV mini-series Jesus of Nazareth (1977), the part of the Reverend Quiverful in the BBC serial 'The Barchester Chronicles' (1982), in the TV serial 'The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' he played Jonas Oldacre in 'The Norwood Builder' (1985), the part of Carter in the Miss Marple episode Nemesis (1987), and the part of Professor Marriott in Yes, Prime Minister. His film career included appearances in British comedies such as Eskimo Nell (1975), Three for All (1975), It Could Happen to You (1975), Adventures of a Private Eye (1977) and Adventures of a Plumber's Mate (1978).

He was a member of the London cast of Tom Foolery. He died in London, England, of a stroke at the age of 74.

A portrait of Jonathan Adams by British artist David Gommon is displayed on the BBC Paintings on-line gallery.

Filmography

• The Assassination Bureau (1969) - French President (uncredited)
• Eskimo Nell (1975) - Lord Coltwind
• Three for All (1975) - Dr. Sparks
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - Dr. Everett V. Scott - A Rival Scientist
• It Could Happen to You (1975) - Henry VIII
• Adventures of a Private Eye (1977) - Inspector Hogg
• Jesus of Nazareth (1977) - Adam
• Adventures of a Plumber's Mate (1978) - Rent Collector
• Revolution (1985) - Chaplain
• Two Evil Eyes (1990) - Hammer (segment "The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar")

External links

• Jonathan Adams at IMDb
• Jonathan Adams obituary The Independent (retrieved 21 September 2010, updated 16 November 2017)