David Jackson

[Guest guest]

The Balke's 7 actor, David Jackson, died on Monday 25th July of a heart attack, aged 71. He leaves behind his wife, Anne, and their son Stuart.David had a long and distinguished career - in theatre, TV, radio and film, but to Blake's 7 fans he will always be remembered as Olag Gan, the gentle giant he played for 17 episodes. Although David was a true science-fiction fan himself, he always expressed amazement at the continued interest in Blake's 7 - a show he made so many years ago - and the interest of the fans in his career and the character he played, though he was always more than happy to discuss any and all aspects of the show with the fans. No-one lucky enough to have met David at conventions and signings over the years could have failed to realize what a warm, kind, generous man he was. A true English gentleman, whose word was his bond, and who always took time to talk to people and genuinely cared about them and what they had to say. He also had a wonderful sense of humour, and a never-ending supply of fascinating anecdotes. Horizon's interview with David in 1990 was a delightful evening, which only ended when the waiters in the restaurant started turning the lights out and putting chairs on top of tables in a desperate attempt to get us to leave so they could all go home. David would have happily chatted to us for hours longer, and we would have enjoyed every minute. He had a lifelong interest in Victorian theatre and one of the shows he devised, produced and performed was his own one man show on the Victorian Music Halls. Up until recently he continued to perform in 'My House Guest Dr Johnson' based on the life of Dr Johnson, compiler of the famous dictionary, a show of which he was justly proud. But nothing made him prouder than his son Stuart, now 19, and following in his footsteps. Whenever one spoke to David, Stuart was always the first topic in the conversation, and he would delight in telling everyone of Stuart's latest shows and concerts. My heart goes out to Anne and Stuart at the loss of a wonderful husband and father and I'm sure all of you reading this would echo that sentiment. Anne has asked that, rather than send flowers, if anyone would like to make a donation in David's memory, could they please send this care of Horizon and once she and Stuart have decided on the most appropriate charity we will pass on all contributions to them, together with your condolences to Anne and the family. David will be very much missed - he was a very special man, and it was a great privilege to have known him.DAVID JACKSON - THOUGHTS FROM FRIENDSI was very saddened, as I am sure we all were, to hear the news from Diane Gies of the passing of David Jackson. My thoughts go to Anne and Stuart at this time.David and I first met in October 1977 at a sort of planning meeting come introductory reception for Blake's Seven. I instantly took to David, who was warm and had great humour and put me at my ease. I was very much a novice during those early months filming the first series and it was good to have a colleague with the maturity and experience who was always happy to advise on the many problems we all encountered during that hectic time. As you know there were no stars on that series, we worked as a team and I shall always remember the laughs and the many anecdotes that David brought to those first 2 seasons of Blake's Seven.As well as a career in television and cinema, David had worked in many theatre productions. I remember being terribly impressed when he told me of his experiences playing in Shakespeare's "Anthony and Cleopatra" as Mark Anthony. I was sorry to have lost touch with David and his family over the years; but was delighted when Diane organized for us to all attend two events for the launch of the Blake's 7 DVDs over the last 18 months where I had an opportunity to meet up with David and Anne. It was as if time had stood still and we had teleported back to the late seventies again; sharing stories, anecdotes and most importantly having a good laugh.He was a gentle giant and I miss him.MICHAEL KEATINGWhat terrible news. David was a generous, kind, gentle man and will be deeply missed. My thoughts are with Anne and Stuart.GARETH THOMASHow terrible to hear this news. One of my fondest memories of David was when we were filming the episode 'Pressure Point' and we had to run across a minefield. These mines contained real explosives and I remember saying "I'm going to be running pretty fast through this - I think somebody needs to catch me at the other end.I'll catch you," David said, and he did, and I felt safe in his arms. Our hearts go out to Anne and Stuart - he will be greatly missed.PAUL DARROWA big man with a big heart - he can never be forgotten.BRIAN CROUCHERDAVID JACKSON15th JULY 1934 - 25th JULY 2005Following experience with directing, producing and acting in five different amateur dramatic societies, David Jackson trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, thereafter working extensively in film, theatre, television and radio. David's long and varied theatre career began at The Old Vic, including roles in Timon of Athens, Hamlet and Richard III. He also worked at the Royal Court, London, the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, Ipswich Rep, Farnham, Chesterfield, the Oxford Playhouse, the Library Theatre - Manchester, and spent a year at the Liverpool Playhouse, a summer season at Blackpool, as well as various national tours. His theatre experience included roles in All in Good Time, Anniversary, King Lear, Anthony and Cleopatra (as Anthony), Charlie Came to Town, Down the Dock Road, Fireraisers, Julius Caesar, My Perfect Husband, Naked and Sound of Murder. He also enjoyed performing in pantomime, including a season as Ebenazer in Aladdin at the Watford Theatre. Back in the West End he appeared, along with Jan Chappell in Howard Barker's Fair Slaughter in 1977, played Lazar Wolfe in the revival of Fiddler on the Roof at the Old Vic and played LeFevre in Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre. His fascination with Victorian Theatre led him to devise and perform in his own One Man Show on The Victorian Music Halls, and he also devised, produced and performed in My House Guest Doctor Johnson at the new Gallery Theatre of the National Portrait Gallery, and then at private functions all over the country.Film appearances include roles in Triplex, Nightwatch, The Great Question, Total Concept and Madhouse, playing Donny the Bull in Breakout (1963), a young male nurse in Blood From the Mummy's Tomb (1971), Clackworth in Unman, Wittering & Zigo (1971), a constable in 10 Rillington Place (1971), Inspector Willis in The Big Sleep (1978) and Mr Trubshaw in Killer's Moon (1978). David also recorded over fifty radio plays - playing a baby in a cradle, an 80 year old and everything in between, as well as many audio book readings and advertisements. His numerous television credits include: Chester Mystery Cycle, Chico, Educating Marmalade, Give us a Break, Hells Bells, Help, Hideaway, Return of the Native, The Mystery of the Passion, Spanish Cow, Wear a Very Big Hat, Marriage Lines, ABC Night Out, Children of the New Forest, Simon and Laura, Redcap, Distracted Preacher, Special Branch, Potter, My Wife Next Door, Return of the Antelope, Flowers of Evil, Redcap, City 68, The Avengers, Counterstrike, Cribb, The Eyes Have It, Sky, The Function Room, The Widowing of Mrs Holroyd, Regiment, The Generation Game and The Music Shop. Other television appearances include The Liver Birds, Lord Peter Wimsey: The Nine Tailors, The Sweeney, Play for Today: The Falklands Factor, Only Fools and Horses, Rockliffe's Babies, London's Burning, Lovejoy, two episodes of Space 1999, and three episodes each of Coronation Street, The Saint, and Minder. He played the Vicar in Wyatt's Watchdogs, had regular appearances as Lofty in The Larkins and parts in Black on Blue, a drama documentary for the 'Despatches' series for Channel 4, and Mysterioso for Scottish Television. He also appeared in the Ruth Rendell Mystery Kissing the Gunner's Daughter and in several episodes of the Paul Merton series for Channel 4. In 1983 he played Col. Taffy Lawson in the award winning TV mini-series Edge of Darkness, and between 1964 and 1971 he played 4 different roles in 5 episodes of the long running Z-Cars before taking on the regular role in the show as Detective Constable Braithwaite between 1972 and 1978. He is possibly best remembered for playing Olag Gan in 17 episodes of BBC 1's cult science fiction series Blake's 7 between 1978 and 1979 and continued to appear at science-fiction conventions and memorabilia fairs to the delight of the show's fans until shortly before his untimely death. He is fondly remembered by his family, many friends and colleagues who will miss his warmth and generosity, his wonderful sense of humour and his never-ending supply of theatrical anecdotes. He is survived by his wife Anne, and their son Stuart, of whom he was so proud.Source: http://www.horizon.org.uk/