Tony Melody(1922-2008)
- Actor
Tony Melody played character parts in many of Britain's most popular TV
shows, including
Coronation Street (1960),
Emmerdale Farm (1972) and
Last of the Summer Wine (1973).
For 15 years he played the neighbour, Mr. Higginbottom, in The
Clitheroe Kid on BBC radio. Melody's long, hangdog face also earned him
comedy cameos in
Steptoe and Son (1962),
Heartbeat (1992),
City Central (1998), and
Where the Heart Is (1997).
Melody also worked in stage shows and films. His big break came with
Yanks (1979) starring
Richard Gere. Sudden fame came his way when
he appeared in a TV McDonald's campaign in 2002. His broadcasting break
came in the BBC's North Region in 1955 with What Makes A Star? - a
showcase for new talent. His first network television was in 1957 in
the Hylda Baker comedy series
Be Soon (1957). In the 1980s he was
regular on Bergerac (1981),
Dalziel and Pascoe (1996).
An unassuming man who was shy offscreen and rarely gave interviews.
Melody's first marriage was dissolved and in 1972 he married Maggie, a
former dancer he met in Skegness. They lived happily ever after.
