Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst dies peacefully while surrounded by loved ones aged 89
Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst dead: Actor passes away peacefully aged 89 as his son posts tribute saying ‘he brought joy to many’
The actor was known for playing Eddie Booth in the controversial sitcom which aired from 1972 to 1976 on ITVThe show told the stories two neighbours, one white man and one black man, living in TwickenhamWritten by Vince Powell and Harry Driver, the programme focused on racial feuding between the two couples but was often attacked for promoting racial stereotypes In addition to Love Thy Neighbour, Eddie appeared in The Love Of Ada, Carry On Sergeant, The Rag Trade; Dinnerladies, Here’s Harry, Watch Your Stern and Doctor At Large
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Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst has died at the age of 89.
The actor was known for playing Eddie Booth in the controversial sitcom which aired from 1972 to 1976 on ITV.
Screen star Jack died peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones, according to the Daily Star.
Sad news: Love Thy Neighbour star Jack Smethurst has died at the age of 89 – he died peacefully and was surrounded by loved ones
His son Adam posted a tribute to the star saying: ‘Today we said farewell to our dear Dad. He was much loved and brought joy to many. Our entire family give thanks to a long and fruitful life. Jack Smethurst 1932 – 2022.’
A representative at Jack’s agency Pemberton Associates said: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former client, Jack Smethurst.
‘He had a very long career, appearing in many iconic films and series.
‘He had thousands of amazing stories and was a genuinely lovely man. RIP Jack.’
On screen: The actor was known for playing Eddie Booth in the controversial sitcom which aired from 1972 to 1976 (pictured with Love Thy Neighbour co-star Rudolph Walker in 1973)
family: His son Adam posted a tribute to the star saying: ‘Today we said farewell to our dear Dad. He was much loved and brought joy to many’
In addition to Love Thy Neighbour, Eddie appeared in The Love Of Ada, Carry On Sergeant, The Rag Trade; Dinnerladies, Here’s Harry, Watch Your Stern and Doctor At Large.
Jack was born on 9 April 1932 in the Collyhurst area of Manchester.
He completed national service in the RAF before going to forge out a career in comedy and the performing arts.
The actor studied at the London Academy of Dramatic Arts before he was cast in Love Thy Neighbour.
The show told the stories two neighbours, one white man and one black man, living in Twickenham.
Written by Vince Powell and Harry Driver, the programme focused on racial feuding between the two couples but was often attacked for promoting racial stereotypes.
Telling the tale: The show told the stories two neighbours, one white man and one black man, living in Twickenham
Its defenders claimed it had been written to reduce racial friction by showing bigotry at its most ridiculous. A 2007 re-boot, switching the roles of the central characters, proved short-lived.
In 2001, Rudolph Walker, who played the black neighbour, wrote in The Guardian that the comedy was about ‘a black guy and a white guy being damned stupid’.
In 2016, Jack said during an appearance on BBC Radio 4 that his acting work virtually dried up after he appeared on the series, saying that he felt he’d been ‘typecast’.
Close to the bone: Written by Vince Powell and Harry Driver, the programme focused on racial feuding between the two couples but was often attacked for promoting racial stereotypes
He said: ‘I don’t think it was the racial content; I think it’s the fact that your face is so familiar.
‘I think people are a lot more adaptable now in accepting that an actor who was playing one role is playing a different role this time.
‘It must have lost me a few roles, but I more than made up for it. It’s been a chequered career but it’s been a rewarding one. I’ve enjoyed every minute.’
Honest: In 2016, Jack said during an appearance on BBC Radio 4 that his acting work virtually dried up after he appeared on the series, saying that he felt he’d been ‘typecast’
