Who Is John Le Mesurier? Age, Biography, and Wiki
John Le Mesurier, born on April 5, 1912, in Bedford, England, was an esteemed English actor renowned for his versatile performances throughout his extensive career. Known for his distinguished presence in both film and television, Le Mesurier captured the hearts of audiences with his comedic timing and dramatic talent. He rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly known for his role in the beloved BBC series "Dad's Army." John Le Mesurier passed away on November 15, 1983, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire aspiring actors today.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | |
| Age | 71 Years |
| Birth Place | N/A |
| Horoscope | |
| Country | |
| Date of death | 15 November, 1983 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
John Le Mesurier's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While precise details about John Le Mesurier's physical statistics from his active years are not widely published, he was noted for his tall and slender frame, which added to his charismatic screen presence. His portrayal of characters often reflected a gentlemanly demeanor, complemented by his stylish wardrobe.
In 1962 he appeared in Wendy Toye's comedy film We Joined the Navy before reuniting with Peter Sellers in Only Two Can Play, Sidney Gilliat's film of the novel That Uncertain Feeling by Kingsley Amis; Powell noted with pleasure "the armour of his gravity pierced by polite bewilderment".
She compared Le Mesurier with the well-known American straight-face comedian, John McGiver. After appearing in another Sellers film in 1962—Waltz of the Toreadors—Le Mesurier joined him in the 1963 comedy The Wrong Arm of the Law.
Powell again reviewed the pair's film, commenting that "I thought I knew by now every shade in the acting of John Le Mesurier (not that I could ever get tired of any of them); but there seems a new shade here".
The same year, he appeared in a third Sellers film, The Pink Panther, as a defence lawyer, and in the second and last of Tony Hancock's starring vehicles, The Punch and Judy Man. Le Mesurier played Sandman in the latter film; Powell wrote that the role "allowed a gentler and subtler character than usual".
He also appeared in a series of advertisements for Homepride flour in 1964, providing the voice-over for the animated character Fred the Flourgrader; he continued as the voice until 1983.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, John Le Mesurier married three times. His most notable relationship was with actress Hattie Jacques, with whom he shared a significant part of his career. Their marriage lasted from 1939 until her death in 1980. Following a turbulent period, his later years were spent with his second wife, whose name remains less documented in popular history. As of 2025, John Le Mesurier is remembered fondly, but he has no current relationship status; his personal life is celebrated through the legacy of his beloved roles.
His parents were Charles Elton Halliley, a solicitor, and Amy Michelle ( Le Mesurier), whose family were from Alderney in the Channel Islands; both families were affluent, with histories of government service or work in the legal profession. While John was an infant the family settled in Bury St Edmunds, in West Suffolk.
He was sent to school, first to Grenham House in Kent, and later to Sherborne School in Dorset, where one of his fellow pupils was the mathematician Alan Turing.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 1983, John Le Mesurier's net worth was estimated to be around £1.5 million, a considerable sum attributed to his successful career in acting. Adjusted for inflation and considering his contributions to the entertainment industry, his financial legacy would represent an even more significant influence today. Although precise figures regarding his salary for individual roles remain undisclosed, his successful television and film projects undoubtedly bolstered his earnings significantly.
In July 1934, the studio staged their annual public revue in which both Le Mesurier and Guinness took part; among the judges for the event were John Gielgud, Leslie Henson, Alfred Hitchcock and Ivor Novello. Le Mesurier received a Certificate of Fellowship, while Guinness won the Fay Compton prize.
After the revue, rather than remain at the studio for further tuition, Le Mesurier took an opportunity to join the Edinburgh-based Millicent Ward Repertory Players at a salary of £3.10s (£3.50) a week.
Career, Business, and Investments
John Le Mesurier's career spanned over four decades, with noteworthy roles in films, television, and theater. Best known for his role as Sergeant Arthur Wilson in the iconic "Dad's Army," he was involved in numerous stage productions and film roles, ranging from serious dramas to light-hearted comedies. Beyond acting, Le Mesurier exhibited a keen interest in business, contributing to several theater productions and engaging with various creative projects during his lifetime.
Le Mesurier became interested in the stage as a young adult and enrolled at the Fay Compton Studio of Dramatic Art in 1933. From there he took a position in repertory theatre and made his stage debut in September 1934 at the Palladium Theatre in Edinburgh in the J. B. Priestley play Dangerous Corner.
He later accepted an offer to work with Alec Guinness in a John Gielgud production of Hamlet. He first appeared on television in 1938 as Seigneur de Miolans in the BBC broadcast of The Marvellous History of St Bernard. During the Second World War Le Mesurier was posted to British India, as a captain with the Royal Tank Regiment.
Following the war, he returned to acting and made his film debut in 1948, starring in the second feature comedy short Death in the Hand, opposite Esme Percy and Ernest Jay.
Social Network
In the year 2025, Le Mesurier’s influence continues to resonate on social media platforms, with a dedicated fan base sharing clips of his performances and discussing his impact on British comedy. His legacy thrives on various platforms, where classic performances are celebrated and analyzed by both fans and film historians alike.
Jacques claimed that his calculated vagueness was the result of his dependence on cannabis, although according to Le Mesurier the drug was not to his taste; he smoked it only during his period of abstinence from alcohol.
Le Mesurier's favoured pastime was visiting the jazz clubs around Soho, such as Ronnie Scott's, and he observed that "listening to artists like Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson or Alan Clare always made life seem that little bit brighter".
Education
Although specific details on his formal education are limited, John Le Mesurier attended Bedford School and later the London School of Economics, where he initially focused on a career in law before eventually succumbing to the world of acting. His early education laid the groundwork for his articulate performances and deep understanding of character nuances.
In 1968 Le Mesurier was offered a role in a new BBC situation comedy playing an upper-middle-class Sergeant Arthur Wilson in Dad's Army; he was the second choice after Robert Dorning. Le Mesurier was unsure about taking the part as he was finishing the final series of George and the Dragon and did not want another long-term television role.
He was persuaded both by an increase in his fee – to £262 10s per episode – and by the casting of his old friend Clive Dunn as Corporal Jones. Le Mesurier was initially unsure of how to portray his character, and was advised by series writer Jimmy Perry to make the part his own.
Le Mesurier decided to base the character on himself, later writing that "I thought, why not just be myself, use an extension of my own personality and behave rather as I had done in the army? So I always left a button or two undone, and had the sleeve of my battle dress slightly turned up.
I spoke softly, issued commands as if they were invitations (the sort not likely to be accepted) and generally assumed a benign air of helplessness". Perry later observed that "we wanted Wilson to be the voice of sanity; he has become John".
