Eric Cuthbert Christmas was born March 19th 1916 in London.
He
trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and in 1936 gained valuable
experience in the English repertory theatre.
The
zenith of his early theatrical days was a principal role in the London
production of Noel Coward's "Bitter Sweet" before the Second World
War.
During
the war he continued his acting career while he was a member of the Royal Air
Force production unit and performed in the RAF's Gang Show.
After
he was de-mobbed from the air force he moved to Canada in 1948 where he first
met the television comedians Wayne & Shuster which began a long
association.
He
toured Canada extensively with His own show "Christmas is Coming"
during the 1950s.
In
1957 Eric first appeared at Canada's Stratford Festival and performed in 12
seasons and 21 Shakespearean productions until 1970.
His
final appearance at Stratford was in 1987, when he played Dogberry in “Much Ado
About Nothing”.
In
addition to his Shakespearian experience’s he also had long and rewarding
associations with the Canadian Players, San Diego's Globe Theatre, and the
drama department at the University of California at San Diego.
Eric
Christmas was a superb supporting actor and always delighted in whatever film
he is in.
He
appeared in a large body of TV shows of which
"Days
of Our Lives" (1965) (1995-1996)
"The
Sandy Duncan Show" (1972)
Columbo,
A Friend in Deed (1974)
"War
and Remembrance" (1989) are but a few and his Film credits include Monte
Walsh (1970) The Andromeda Strain (1971)
The
Last Tycoon (1976) Attack of the Killer Tomatoes (1978)
The
Changeling (1980) Porky's (1981) Porky's II: The Next Day (1983)
The
Philadelphia Experiment (1984) All of Me (1984)
Porky's
Revenge (1985) Bugsy (1991) Almost Dead (1994)
and
Mouse Hunt (1997).
In
everything he did he always gave of his best and like many supporting actors
before him he was the glue that held a production together.
He
and his wife Marcy had three children Robin, Holly, Kailee and six grandchildren.
Eric
Died July 22nd 2000 in Camarillo, California.
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