Last of the Summer Wine to Pirates of the Caribbean
Born and raised in Yorkshire, aged 16 Jonathan was inspired by his English teacher to become an actor, and joined the National Youth Theatre where fellow actor Kenneth MacDonald (It Aint ‘Alf Hot Mum and Only Fools and Horses regular) directed him in a show after which Jonathan received a bursary to attend The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to train as an actor.
Following forty weeks working in rep theatre, Jonathan made his TV debut in 1980 and soon after secured a reoccurring part in TV comedy series The Hello Goodbye Man written by David Nobbs, and starring with Ian Lavender. Though it was short lived, it freed Jonathan to audition for a summer season and tour of a Last Of The Summer Wine theatre adaptation, after which he was offered the opportunity to play the role of Crusher Milburn in the popular BBC TV series (on which the stage show was based) for eight years.
He also appeared in the prequel series, First of the Summer Wine.
After leaving LOTSW, Jonathan appeared in numerous popular British TV series including Emmerdale, Casualty, The Bill, Heartbeat, Silent Witness, Daziel and Pascoe, and The Governor, among others, before making his mark in film with National Treasure: Book of Secrets, but then most notably as Ogilvey in the blockbuster movies Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End with Johnny Depp, introducing Jonathan to global audiences, and showcasing his ability to take on cinematic characters while retaining the charm and presence that made him popular in British television - though first class air travel, chauffeur driven stretch limos and hotel suites were quite a contrast the BBC facilities where he had to wait three series to be awarded a dressing room with a sink!
In recent years Jonathan has taken a break from acting to be his wife’s principle care giver, though we’re delighted he is able to join us in Brighton to tell some of his really fun tales of travelling from Holmfirth to Hollywood.
