Family notices from all newspapers in ThisIsAnnouncements, with readers' tributes and messages.
Choose a publication
James Beck : Obituary
Published on the ThisIsAnnouncements.co.uk website on 21st August 200821st February 1929 - 6th August 1973
James, or Jimmy, Beck was a busy radio, TV and theatre actor best remembered for his role as Private Joe Walker, the Cockney spiv in the popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army.
In a cast mainly made up of much older actors it was a tragic irony that he was the first to die at the age of 44.
Stanley James Carroll Beck was born on 21 February, 1929, in Islington, North London. As a child he kept a scrapbook of stage and screen stars and was said to have been a particular fan of comic Sid Field.
His childhood was far from easy, with his father, a tram driver, frequently out of work.
After spending time at art college, and a period of National Service where he was an army PT instructor, Mr Beck took up acting. After stints with various repertory companies he became the leading actor at York where he met his future wife, Kay.
He began to secure television roles including a 1965 appearance as a policeman in an episode of Coronation Street – the television soap that had also included Dad’s Army stalwart Arthur Lowe in a long-running role.
In 1968 the BBC launched the first series of Dad’s Army. Co-writer Jimmy Perry personally suggested Mr Beck for the role of the Cockney spiv Private Walker, believing he had just the right rogueish charm and a lovable twinkle in his eye. The character of Walker became a big hit with the audience, providing a stark contrast to the other staid, middle class members of the Home Guard at Walmington-on-Sea.
In the following years more TV work was offered to Mr Beck on the strength of his success and popularity as Private Walker.
He was cast as the lead, Bert Jones, in London Weekend Television’s comedy Romany Jones.
By 1973, Beck had already recorded five series of Dad's Army and was working on the sixth, as well as on the popular radio version of the show.
Location filming for series six was completed when he suddenly felt ill. He was admitted to hospital suffering from acute pancreatitis and died. He was survived by wife Kay and three children.
His death was a great shock to his fellow cast members and fans. The Walker character was briefly mentioned in series seven but was then written out off-screen and he was never referred to in subsequent episodes.
Tributes and messages
Add your own tribute
-
Lit candles:
-
-
-
Lit candles:
- Back to top ↑ Leave a message or tribute
-
-
-
-
-
- Back to top ↑ Leave a message or tribute
-
i am a tribute to you
Report this message By james beck on 28th Jul 2010
i would like to say that my name is really james beck and my mum named me after the great actor we all loved from dads army funny thing is you were my favourite character before i knew your real name thinking of you j.beck x -
-
One of the greatest...
Report this message By stephen dearman on 1st Nov 2009One of the greatest actors ever ... with an real cockney charm god bess you jimmy wherever you are!
-
God Bless Jimmy. You...
Report this message By Tim Moore on 9th Oct 2009God Bless Jimmy. You were a superb actor. I loved Dad's Army as a child. Got the whole series on DVD now ! It was never quite as good after your untimely passing away though. You were easily my favourite character. My favourite episode was the German U-boat crew when Mainwaring called you over + asked you in a conspiritoral voice if the chip shop was still open? Brilliant.
-
Jimmy Beck was my...
Report this message By Theresa Cordwell on 22nd Apr 2009Jimmy Beck was my uncle. I have many fond memories of him especially inour home in Islington where I would as a child have to hold the script whilst he learnt his lines. He gave me away at my wedding on 1st May 1971 and the church was full to capacity, not to see me I would add but to see him and get his autograph. I kept in touch with his lovely wife Kay until her death. My mother (his sister) was so very proud of him. I am sure he would be so pleased that my daughter (his great neice) has followed in his footsteps. She trained at Rada and graduated and is now in the acting profession. We often talk about him and watch all the repeats of "Dads Army". He will never grow old in our eyes whilst we can still see him on TV. God Bless. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Back to top ↑ Leave a message or tribute
-
James, Dads Army has...
Report this message By Andrew Bell on 20th Mar 2009James,
Dads Army has never been the same since you passed away. watching the episodes, you were always the one who made me laugh out loud. It's definately true when the documentary said that if you stayed to the end, you would have been one of the leading actors You were a fine actor and your talents will be much missed although they will always be apprieciated
Rest In Peace
Andrew
-
-
James Beck with Clive Dunn and Arnold Ridley on Dad's Army 1972
Uploaded by Tipsy Hopper on 29th Aug 2008 Report this image | View all
-
-
James Beck and John Laurie on location 1972
Uploaded by Tipsy Hopper on 29th Aug 2008 Report this image | View all -
James Beck on location filming Dad's Army 1972
Uploaded by Tipsy Hopper on 29th Aug 2008 Report this image | View all
-
-
-
James Beck as Walker in Dad's Army 1972
Uploaded by Tipsy Hopper on 29th Aug 2008 Report this image | View all
-
Leave a message or a tribute
-
Light a candle
-
Leave a message or upload a photo
-
Buy a featured animated message
-
Post your video tribute
-
Add an event
-
Add a slideshow
Not the right person? Try these searches:
In this newspaper:
- Obituary announcements for "James Beck" in the ThisIsAnnouncements
- In Memoriam announcements for "James Beck" in the ThisIsAnnouncements
- Family announcements for "James Beck" in the ThisIsAnnouncements
In all newspapers:
Fallen Heroes
Did this person serve in the Armed Forces? Plant a Poppy in the Memorial Field. Plant your poppy
cancer victims
Was this person a victim of cancer? Plant a daffodil in the Field of Hope. Plant your daffodil
the children
Was this person taken from us at a young age? Dedicate a Twinkling Star in our Night Sky. Dedicate your star
All rights reserved.
- Adding value to announcement advertising
The Priceless Laughter Never Stops
Report this message By Tony woodrow on 24th Jul 2011