Tony Melody
Acting
Born December 18, 1922, London, England, UK
Anthony John Melody (18 December 1922 – 26 June 2008), known professionally as Tony Melody, was an English television character actor who appeared in a number of long running comedies and soap operas, with more than 100 television roles. Born in London where his father was stationed in the Royal Horse Guards, Melody grew up in Goole, Yorkshire. He started his career as a professional singer and dancer and, whilst serving in the RAF during WWII, participated as such with the Ralph Reader Gang Show, entertaining the troops. In peace time, Melody began a double act with Jimmy Clitheroe, his neighbour in Bispham, Blackpool, which continued up until the entertainer's death in 1973. From the 1970s onwards, Melody was getting regular television work, in comedies at first, but gradually becoming more varied as time went on. In 1979 he starred in John Schlesinger's movie Yanks, which led to greater dramatic work on both film and television. Throughout his broadcasting, career he continued to work live in summer season (at holiday camps such as Butlin's, and in seaside resorts such as Blackpool and Skegness). He also worked in pantomime. Melody was married twice and had four children: three sons and a daughter from his first marriage. He died in a nursing home from cancer after a short illness on 26 June 2008, aged 85. His funeral was held at Carleton Crematorium, Blackpool, Lancashire on 3 July, and was survived by his second wife.
Filmography
- 2002Harold Shipman: Doctor Death — Len Fellows
- Dalziel and Pascoe — Harold Lapping
- Heartbeat — Walter Openshaw
- Billy Webb's Amazing Story — Mr Hardwood
- Fiddlers Three — Jack
- New Voices
- Plaza Patrol — Les
- 1990Missing Persons — Robert Wainthrop
- 1988No Further Cause for Concern — Principal Prison Officer Whittaker
- 1988The Nature of the Beast — Chunder
- 1987On the Palm — Joe
- Casualty — Brian Miller
- 1986Mr. Love — Ferris
- ScreenPlay — Principal Prison Officer Whittaker
- The Winning Streak — Matt Hutton
- 1985Turtle Diary — Garage Attendant
- The Hello Goodbye Man — Mr Bulstrode
- 1983Invitation to the Wedding
- 1983Last of the Summer Wine: Getting Sam Home — Sid (voice) (uncredited)
- No Excuses — Dad
- 1982Walter — Mr. Hingley
- Bergerac — Chief
- The Chinese Detective
- 1980Little Lord Fauntleroy — Kimsey
- 1980The Flipside of Dominick Hide — Harry Shoe
- The Nesbitts Are Coming
- Turtle's Progress — Colour Sergeant Arnold
- 1979Yanks — Mr. Jim Moreton
- All Creatures Great and Small — Mr. Skipton
- Strangers — Joe Revell
- 1977The Stick Up — Policeman
- The Sunday Drama — Chris
- George and Mildred — Ernest Groves
- Rumpole of the Bailey — Saggers
- 1974Baby Love — Detective
- Last of the Summer Wine — Landlord
- 1973Mummy and Daddy — Leslie
- Oranges and Lemons — Joe Sewell
- Home and Away — Godfrey
- New Scotland Yard — Charles Change
- Sykes — Milkman
- Bless This House — Owen
- Justice — Charlie Thompson
- Play for Today — Harry Shoe, Detective
- 1970Roll On Four O'Clock — Jack Scott
- ITV Saturday Night Theatre — Jack Scott
- The Main Chance — Sammy Dayton
- Not in Front of the Children — PC Wilson
- Public Eye — Harry
- Steptoe and Son — Milkman
- Coronation Street — Coach Proprietor, Ernie Bond