John David Blake Butler[Burke's Irish Family Records, ed. Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 1976, p. 194][Hammer Complete: The Films, The Personnel, The Company, Howard Maxford, 2019, p. 90] (22 October 1924 – 15 April 1981) was an English actor best known for his role as the lecherous chief librarian Mr. Wainwright during the first and third series of Last of the Summer Wine in 1973 and 1976 respectively.[Bright and Ross (2000), p. 102]
Background
Butler was the second son of FitzWalter Butler (1889–1979), of
Grantham,
Lincolnshire, and Doris Emma (d. 1950), daughter of Robert Pollok, of Cavendish Park, Barrow-in-Furness. The
Butler dynasty family were Irish landed gentry; Blake Butler's line, prominent in
County Clare, descended from James Butler, 10th Baron Dunboyne.
[Burke's Irish Family Records, ed. Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 1976, pp. 192–194][Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 107th edition, vol. 1, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 2003, p. 1212]
Career
In addition to his work on
Last of the Summer Wine, Butler made guest appearances on such programmes as
Dad's Army,
Doctor at Large,
Bless This House,
The Good Life,
Paul Temple,
George and Mildred,
Grange Hill and, in 1967, Crossroads playing assistant manager Maurice Raine.
Filmography
|
| 3 episodes |
| film |
| film |
| film |
| 5 episodes |
| 5 episodes |
| Episode: #1.5 |
| Episode: "Seven Year Hitch" |
| Episode: "Rumpole and the Heavy Brigade" |
Personal life
Butler lived at 33, Bath Road, Bedford Park, London, when he died on 15 April 1981 at age 56.
[Gov.uk Wills and Probate 1858–1996, Surname "Butler", Year of Death "1981", 1981 record page 1316, "BUTLER, John David Blake, of 33, Bath Road, London, W.4, died 15 April 1981"][Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, ed. Patrick Montague-Smith, Debrett's Ltd, 1980, p. 396]
Sources
External links