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Larry Martyn

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Larry Martyn
Martyn as Mr. Mash in Are You Being Served?
Born
Lawrence Martyn

(1934-03-22)22 March 1934
London, England
Died7 August 1994(1994-08-07) (aged 60)
Years active1950-1992
SpouseHilary Martyn

Lawrence Martyn (22 March 1934 – 7 August 1994) was a British film and television actor known for his comedy performances.

Martyn was born in London and was a member of the Parachute Regiment. He was famous as store maintenance man "Mr. Mash" in the BBC comedy series Are You Being Served?, appearing in the first three series before being replaced by Arthur English.[1] He was unable to continue in this role because he was committed to the television series Spring and Autumn with Jimmy Jewel.[2] Other TV appearances included On the Buses, Look - Mike Yarwood!, Rising Damp, The Detectives and Grange Hill.[3] He also played alongside Frankie Howerd in two of his BBC shows, Up Pompeii! and Whoops Baghdad.[2]

Career

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Martyn replaced Graham Stark in the role of the spiv Private Walker for Series 2 and 3 of the radio version of Dad's Army after the sudden death of James Beck in 1973.[4] His film roles included Carry On at Your Convenience, where he had a small part as the promenade rifle-range owner, and Carry On Behind, where he played an inept electrician who helps wire up the public address system at the caravan site where the film is set.[2]

Death

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Martyn died on or about 7 August 1994 at home in St Mary's Bay, Kent[5] at age 60. An inquest into his death took place 9 November 1994 where a cause of death was unascertainable and an open verdict was recorded.[6]

Filmography

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Radio

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'The Random Jottings of Hinge & Bracket ', ('The Coalman Commeth') - ( 3 August 1986) - Coalman.. Dad's Army Private Walker 1973 Replaced James's Beck

References

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  1. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Are You Being Served? (1973-85) Credits". www.screenonline.org.uk.
  2. ^ a b c "Larry Martyn". BFI. Archived from the original on 8 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Larry Martyn". www.aveleyman.com.
  4. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Dad's Army, Series 3, A Man of Action". BBC.
  5. ^ "Larry Martyn - Trivia". IMDb.
  6. ^ "Larry Martyn - Trivia". IMDb.
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