Arthur Lowe: Movies & Box Office

Arthur Lowe (22 September 1915 – 15 April 1982) was an English actor whose career spanned nearly four decades, earning him a place among the most beloved faces of British television. Born in Hayfield, Derbyshire, the only child of railway clerk Arthur Lowe Sr. and Nan Ford, he left school to work as a barrow boy before joining the Territorial Army in 1939. His wartime service in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers not only gave him the rank of sergeant‑major but also ignited his passion for performance, as he organised amateur dramatics and entertained troops in Egypt. After the war he made his professional debut in December 1945 at the Manchester Repertory Theatre, quickly accumulating dozens of stage roles and earning a reputation for character work. Lowe broke into national consciousness in 1960 as Leonard Swindley on Coronation Street, a part he played until 1965, before achieving iconic status as the pompous yet endearing Captain Mainwaring in the BBC sitcom Dad’s Army (1968‑1977). His portrayal won him seven BAFTA nominations and a win for Best Supporting Actor for O Lucky Man! (1973). Despite chronic narcolepsy, weight issues, and a mild stroke in 1979, he remained prolific, starring in series such as Bless Me Father and Potter, and appearing in films by Lindsay Anderson, including if… and Britannia Hospital. Married to actress Joan Cooper in 1948, he was father to one son, Stephen, and maintained a vigorous touring schedule with his wife until his sudden death from a stroke on 15 April 1982, shortly after a live interview on Pebble Mill at One. His legacy endures through statues, blue plaques, and continued admiration from peers and audiences alike.