Bernard Miles

Bernard James Miles (27 September 1907 – 14 June 1991) was an English character actor, writer, director and the visionary founder of the Mermaid Theatre, a landmark venue that opened in 1959 as the first new theatre in the City of London since the 17th century. Born in Uxbridge, Middlesex, Miles was educated at Uxbridge County School, Pembroke College, Oxford and the Northampton Institute, where he cultivated a deep love for the stage that would shape a career spanning more than five decades. His distinctive, rolling bass‑baritone voice and rustic accent, reminiscent of the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire countryside, made him a beloved presence in both film and television, earning him roles from Joe Gargery in Great Expectations (1946) to the stern Colonel Barton‑Barrington in Tawny Pipit (1944). In addition to his on‑screen work, Miles was a prolific voice‑over artist and published author, releasing titles such as The British Theatre and God's Brainwave, and he recorded comic monologues that showcased his talent for rural dialect humor. Beyond acting, Miles was a tireless champion of emerging talent; his collaboration with playwright John Antrobus and comedian Spike Milligan led to the celebrated one‑act The Bed Sitting Room at his own Mermaid Theatre. His dedication to the arts was recognized with a CBE in 1953, a knighthood in 1969, and ultimately a life peerage in 1979, making him only the second British actor to receive such an honor after Laurence Olivier. He remained active in theatre, film and television up until his death in 1991, leaving a legacy of artistic generosity and cultural contribution. Miles’s personal life was marked by his marriage to actress Josephine Wilson in 1931, a partnership that produced three children, including racing driver John Miles. Wilson co‑founded the Mermaid Theatre and supported its operations, famously appearing alongside Bernard in a long‑running ITV commercial for Mackeson ale. She passed away in 1990, and Bernard died six months later, both leaving an indelible imprint on British theatrical history.