Joseph Brady(1928-2001)

He became a well known face playing the part of policeman Jock Weir in the television series Z Cars when he partnered Fancy Smith, played by Brian Blessed, as the Z Victor 1 team. One of a large Glasgow working class family he spent 5 years in the merchant navy before, encouraged by his sister he became an actor graduating from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama as Best Comedy Actor and Most Promising Male Actor. He was given a years contract at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre and spent a year at Perth Theatre before joining Z Cars. After leaving the series in the late 60's he played the lead in BBC's17th century drama The Borderers which ran for 26 episodes. After which he alternated between stage and television, the latter included Dr Finlay's Casebook, Taggart, The Bill and Casualty. In the70's he toured with Shirley Anne Field in The Hasty Heart and appeared in many productions at the Edinburgh Lyceum. In '85 he was in The Seagull with Vanessa Redgrave in London's West End and in '88 A Handful of Stars which was a big success. A favourite role was of Joe's father in Golden Boy at The National in '84. He was a big Queens Park Rangers fan and a season ticket holder. A bachelor he lived in Chiswick area of London. He died June 12th 2001