Person Details

Birthday: 1947-04-04 12:38:55

Death: 2002-12-17 12:38:55

Aliases: No known aliases

Gender: Male

Place of birth: Salford, Lancashire, England

Homepage:

Movie Involvements: 24

TV Involvements: 14


Most Famous Work

Biography

British actor James Hazeldine was a well-known face both on British Television and on Stage. Best known for his role as Mike "Bayleaf" Wilson in the ITV drama, London's Burning (1988), many real-life firefighters thought Bayleaf was the character who closely and accurately portrayed your average real-life firefighter, a credit to his acting abilities. A meticulous performer, he was well-known for researching every part he played, and firmly believed that by accurately portraying a character the audience would feel much more involved in and enveloped by the performance. He played the role continuously for seven years from the serial's inception in 1988. (The character's sobriquet stemmed from a culinary bent for complex recipes). In a career spanning three decades, he also guested in such series as 'Boon' and 'Miss Marple', and, in the late 1980s, played the manager of the electrics company in Central's early-evening situation comedy, Young, Gifted and Broke (1989). In 1995, Hazeldine's character was written out of London's Burning of the actor's own volition, but he remained with the programme as a director. In years to come, he expanded his directing talents to encompass other UK drama serials, among them TV's The Knock (1994) and Heartbeat (1992). His acting CV also included sporadic film appearances, such as Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982). Although renowned as a television performer, he was also a respected stage actor, having trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company and, at one time, acted on Broadway alongside Glenda Jackson. He was rehearsing for his role as Sigmund Freud in a new stage play, 'The Talking Cure', when he became ill. In 2002 he appeared in the controversial drama, Shipman, which re-enacted events surrounding the murderous killing spree of Dr Harold Shipman, Britain's most prolific serial killer. Hazeldine assumed the role of Detective Inspector Stan Egerton, the man charged with leading the investigation into the deranged doctor's crimes. Determined that the dramatization should be as authentic as possible, Hazeldine even met with the retired policeman to ensure a realistic portrayal of the diligent law enforcer. Ironically, while the Shipman drama was in production, the real-life Mr. Egerton died suddenly and prematurely of a coronary disorder. James Hazeldine died on 18 December 2002, aged 55. There will never be anyone quite like him again, British Television mourned the loss of a truly great actor, director and personality.

Most Famous Work

Midsomer Murders
Average
8

Midsomer Murders

(1997) Leo Bantock
Inspector Morse
Average
8

Inspector Morse

(1987) Digby Tuckerman
Sherlock Holmes
Average
8

Sherlock Holmes

(1984) Richard Brunton
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries
Average
7

The Inspector Lynley Mysteries

(2002) Dennis Luxford
Heartbeat
Average
7

Heartbeat

(1992) Reg Manston
Play for Today
Average
6

Play for Today

(1970) Chris
Pink Floyd: The Wall
Average
8

Pink Floyd: The Wall

(1982) Lover
The Medusa Touch
Average
7

The Medusa Touch

(1978) Lovelass

Acting

Year Character Movie/Tv
2002 DI Stan Egerton
Dennis Luxford
2001 Ivan Braithwaite
1999 Austin Danforth
N/A
1997 N/A
Leo Bantock
1996 Mr. Weston
N/A
1992 Charlie Throckmorton
Reg Manston
1991 Brian Matkin
1990 Trevor
1989 N/A
1988 Bernie Walters
1987 Peter Picard
Mowbray
Digby Tuckerman
Mark
1986 Lawrence Redding
N/A
Mike 'Bayleaf' Wilson
Michael 'Bayleaf' Wilson
N/A
David Gore
1985 Vincente Da Franchi
David Gore
1984 Richard Brunton
David Gore
David Gore
1983 Malcolm
N/A
1982 Patrick
Lover
1980 Kenneth Carr
1979 Tom Crane
N/A
1978 N/A
Lovelass
John Fowler
1977 Dennis Horncastle
1976 Gaston
N/A
Graham Banks
1974 Brian
1973 Frank Barraclough
N/A
Chris
1972 Fraser
1971 Stalin
George Green
1970 Gerald
Alf
Chris
N/A
Dawkins
1969 Staff Sgt. Timson
1965 N/A
1951 Vincente de Franchi
Year Character Movie/Tv

Directing

Year Role Movie/Tv
1992 Director
Year Role Movie/Tv

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