Richard O’ Sullivan, 70s TV sitcom star from Chiswick, dies aged 82

Richard O’Sullivan in Man About the House (1974); image IMDb

Star of Man About the House and Robin’s Nest

The actor Richard O’Sullivan, best known for seventies sitcoms Man About the House and Robin’s Nest, has died at the age of 82.

The Chiswick-born TV star was born on 7 May 1944. His early education was at St John the Evangelist’s RC Primary School in Brentford.

He began his showbusiness career as a child actor in the 1950s, appearing in films that starred some of the biggest names of the period, including John Mills, Trevor Howard, Keith Michell and Audrey Hepburn, and had a small role as a pupil in one of the early Carry On films, Carry On Teacher (1959).

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1957); Richard O’Sullivan in Doctor at Large (1971)

Early television work included appearances in an episode of Sherlock Holmes in 1955, and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1957). Stage work included a role as a pageboy in a production of Love’s Labour Lost by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford directed by Peter Hall.

By the time he reached adulthood he was well set for a career as a jobbing actor, becoming a well-known face on British TV in series such as Emergency Ward 10, Danger Man and Dixon of Dock Green.

His breakthrough in TV comedy came with the role of Dr Lawrence Bingham in LWT’s Doctor At Large, one of seven series based on Richard Gordon’s Doctor books. The writers included Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden, John Cleese and Graham Chapman.

The role continued in the later Doctor in Charge (1972–73). That and a main role in the Thames TV comedy Alcock and Gander (1972) with Beryl Reid led to his landing the lead role in another Thames TV series Man About the House, which made Richard O’ Sullivan a household name.

Man About the House (1974); Paula Wilcox, Richard O’Sullivan, Sally Thomsett, Brian Murphy, Yootha Joyce; image IMDb

In the series, which ran from 1973 to 1976 and became one of the biggest hits of the decade, he played a trainee chef sharing a flat with two women. They find him asleep in their bath the morning after a party and, impressed by his skills in the kitchen, let him stay. To overcome the landlord’s objections to a mixed flat-share they pretend he’s gay, which doesn’t stop him flirting with them.

In the spin-off Robin’s Nest, (1977 – 81) he qualifies as a chef and opens his own bistro. It was the first UK sitcom to feature an unmarried couple cohabiting. Creators and writers Brian Cooke and Johnnie Mortimer had to obtain special permission from the Independent Broadcasting Commission to portray an unmarried couple living together, especially because of scenes in which Robin and Vicky are undressed in bed together.

It all sounds very quaint now, but such was television comedy in the seventies. The other spin-off, by the way, was George & Mildred, based on the landlord (Brian Murphy), and his wife (Yootha Joyce).

Richard O’Sullivan and Tessa Wyatt in Robin’s Nest; image IMDb

Richard O’ Sullivan worked with some of the biggest names in British TV comedy, collaborating with Ronnie Barker on several projects in the late ‘60s and starring opposite Ronnie Corbett in ITV sitcom Now Look Here... from 1971 to 1973.

He continued working until 1996, when he retired following a period of ill health. For the last two decades of his life he lived at Brinsworth House, the Royal Variety Charity’s care home in Twickenham, after he suffered a serious stroke in 2003.

In a statement issued by the charity, his son James said:

‘My dad was as funny and charming in real life as he appeared on our TV screens over the years. Always kind-spirited, good humoured, a doting grandfather and a wonderful dad – I will miss him dearly.

‘Although much of his career happened before I was born, I was fortunate enough to be able to enjoy and witness his incredible talents on the countless re-runs of his shows that made him the respected and loved actor that he was.

‘I would like to thank the incredible team at Brinsworth for their love, kindness and care over the last 23 years. They have been truly amazing and will always hold a special place in my heart.’