Joseph Brady(1928-2001)

He became a well known face, playing the part of policeman Jock Weir in the television series Z Cars, partnering Fancy Smith (played by Brian Blessed) and comprising the Z Victor 1 team. One of a large Glasgow working class family, he spent five years in the merchant navy, before, encouraged by his sister, he became an actor. He graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama as Best Comedy Actor and Most Promising Male Actor. He was given a year's contract at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre and spent a year at Perth Theatre prior to joining Z Cars. After leaving the series in the late 60's, he played the lead in BBC's 17th century drama The Borderers, which ran for 26 episodes. After this, he alternated between stage and television, the latter including Dr Finlay's Casebook, Taggart, The Bill and Casualty. In the70's, he toured with Shirley Anne Field in The Hasty Heart and appeared in many productions at the Edinburgh Lyceum. In 1985, he was in The Seagull with Vanessa Redgrave in London's West End and in 1988 in A Handful of Stars, which was a big success. A favourite role was that of Joe's father in Golden Boy at The National in 1984. He was a big Queens Park Rangers fan and a season ticket holder. A bachelor, he lived in Chiswick area of London. He died on June 12th 2001.