Biography

Stanley James Carroll Beck was born on 21 February, 1929, in Islington, North London. Jimmy attended Popham Elementary School and his childhood was extremely tough. His father John Beck, was a Tram Conductor and spent long periods unemployed leaving his Mother Elizabeth to make a living making artificial flowers. Jimmy also had an older Sister called Daisy.

 

At the age of 14 Jimmy attended St Martin's Art College for three years. After leaving college Jimmy spent time working as a Commercial Artist until being called up to do his National Service where he was an army PT instructor. It was during his time in the army that Jimmy first appeared on stage.

 

After leaving the army, Jimmy decided to pursue a career in the theatre. One day while travelling on the top deck of a bus Jimmy noticed a man reading some scrips and told the man he wished to become an actor. The man was Alec Mason, who ran a repertory company in Ramsgate. He offered with various reps all over the country followed including Scarborough, Paignton, Harrogate and Ipswich before joining York rep as leading actor in 1958. Jimmy appeared in many productions at York including The Merchant of Venice, The Entertainer, Pygmalion and Pride and Prejudice.

 

In 1961, Jimmy decided to return to London and over the next seven years worked hard to establish himself on television. He appeared in many police dramas including Dixon of Dock Green, Softly Softly and Z Cars. He also appeared in Coronation Street in 1964.

 

In 1968 the BBC launched the first series of Dad’s Army. Co-writer David Croft personally suggested Jimmy 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 Jimmy 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, Jimmy 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; however when opening a fete in aid of Guild Dogs for the Blind Jimmy suddenly felt ill. He was admitted to hospital where he slipped into a coma. Jimmy died three weeks later from heart failure, kidney failure and pancreatitis. He was survived by wife Kay and three step children. His death was a great shock to his fellow cast members, family, friends and fans.