Biography

Coming from a theatrical family, Jack Douglas' entry into show business was as a producer, however, not as a performer. His father was a theatrical producer, and Jack followed in his footsteps at an early age--he produced his first show at 15. Douglas showed no interest in the performing end of the business until one night when one of his actors took ill and, there being no replacement, Douglas put on the character's costume and did it himself. He enjoyed it so much that he soon gave up producing comedies and began performing in them. It wasn't long before he became one of the more recognizable character actors in British films, especially in the "Carry On" series, where he played a variation on his most famous character, a nervous, terrified and perpetually fidgety little man.
- IMDb mini biography by: frankfob2@yahoo.com

His theatrical background went back four generations, with his grandfather in silent films and his father a Northern impresarios, putting on shows and pantomimes. During the war, he abandoned school for show business, working for his father as stagehand, carpenter and electrician. At fifteen, his father gave him a pantomime script and told him to go and produce it at Sunderland. When the lead in one of his pantomimes fell ill, and with no one else knowing the lines, he took over the part which gave him a taste for comedy acting. Later, he acted as stooge for Arthur Askey, Bruce Forsyth and Benny Hill, before teaming up with Joe Baker in a double act which came about by accident, when, at the Kingston Empire, Jack had to take over the role of Captain to Joe's role of Mate in 'Dick Whittington'. They were an instant hit and became a team, which led to the TV series 'Crackerjack' (1955 -59), a Blackpool Summer season in '59 and, the following year, an Australian tour and a summer season in Weston Super Mare, as well as the pantomime 'Robin Hood' at Bradford Alhambra. Somehow, Joe got locked out of a theatre they were appearing at and Jack had to go on alone. Being nervous, he began twitching and falling about ,which got huge laughs and thus was born Alf Ippititimus. He became a freelance stooge, appearing with Bruce Forsyth, Arthur Haynes and Benny Hill, before getting a call from Des O'Connor. Thus started a long partnership, appearing in 1966 on the American 'Ed Sullivan Show' and 'The Royal Variety Show. at the London Palladium. In 1974, he started a long association with the television game show 'Jokers Wild and the following year joined Hilda Baker in the sitcom 'Not on Your Nellie'. He was a passionate jazz enthusiast with a large collection of rare records, as well as an excellent cook. He had his own cook books published and had also designed his own clothes.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonyman 5