Biography

Londoner James Beck took to the Theatre at the end of his National Service, playing roles as diverse as Shylock to Archie Rice in "The Entertainer". His role as Cockney spiv Private Walker in Dad's Army made him a familiar face, if not a familiar name. His life was cut short before a potentially much more interesting career.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Archie-8

He was a PT instructor in the army when he did his National Service and when he was demobbed he worked as a commercial artist without any enthusiasm. One day on a bus he saw a man reading a script and on a whim said that he'd like to be an actor, The man offered him a job as an assistant stage manager in a small theatre company in Ramsgate at £3 a week. This led to walk on parts then small speaking roles. From the begining he was determined to widen his experience and never to become type cast, Performing in drama, comedy, pantomime and musicals on television he appeared in such as Fabian of the Yard, Dr Finlays Casebook and Beggar My Neighbour. When he got the part of pvt Walker in Dads Army he worried that he'd end up forever playing spiv parts until co star John le Mesurier said Why worry if you're lucky enough to have a success stay with it,

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tonyman 5