Person
John Bluthal
Acting · 1929–2018 · Malopolskie, Poland
Biography
John Bluthal (born Isaac Bluthal; 12 August 1928 – 15 November 2018) was a comic actor best known for the role of Frank Pickle in the BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley and for his work with Spike Milligan in the Q series. He also appeared in several films including the Carry On movies, The Pink Panther movies, A Hard Day's Night, Help!, The Fifth Element and Hail, Caesar! He was born in Poland in 1929 and emigrated with his family to Australia when he was a child. In the early 60s, Bluthal moved to the UK to follow his acting career and returned to Australia in later years. He passed away on 15th November, 2018 at the age of 89.
Known for
The Avengers
Sergei Ivenko
The Saint
Ziggy Zaglan
Minder
Solly Salmon
BBC Play of the Month
Ernest Friedman
Blue Heelers
1993
Bergerac
Edward Emanuelson
ITV Playhouse
Kondu
Rumpole of the Bailey
Gaston LeBlanc
Playhouse
Sam Nicholls
Inspector Morse
Victor Ignotas
Filmography
- 2022Presented in SupercolorisationCommander Wilbur Zero / Kazak (voice)
- 2021The Vicar of Dibley: Inside OutSelf (Archive Footage)
- 2017JungleUncle Nissim
- 2016British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at OurselvesFrank Pickle (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2016Hail, Caesar!Prof. Marcuse
- 2010SpiritedRocco
- 2005The Funny Blokes of British ComedyFrank Pickle (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2004Love's BrotherPepe
- 2001On Location: The Carry OnsCorporal Clotski (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2000Beware of Greeks Bearing GunsStephanos
- 1998What's a Carry On?Corporal Clotski (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1998RPMGrinkstein
- 1998Dark CityKarl Harris
- 1997Jonathan CreekJack Holiday
- 1997The Fifth ElementProfessor Pacoli
- 1996Spellbreaker: Secret of the LeprechaunsMichael Dennehy
- 1996SpikeSelf
- 1995Leapin' LeprechaunsMichael Dennehy
- 1994The Vicar of DibleyFrank Pickle
- 1994A Pinch of SnuffMaurice Arany
- 1993Blue Heelers
- 1992Stan and George's New LifeStan Senior
- 1992Virtual MurderTonu
- 1990One Foot in the GraveMr Jellinek
- 1989Birds of a FeatherPedro
- 1987Inspector MorseVictor Ignotas
- 1986The Life and Loves of a She-DevilAngus
- 1986LabyrinthGoblin (voice)
- 1986LovejoyPopov
- 1985In Sickness and in HealthRicky
- 1985Super GranInside Legg The Tailor
- 1984Squaring the CircleBabiuch
- 1983Taggart
- 1983Reilly: Ace of SpiesKrassin
- 1983Superman IIIPisa Vendor
- 1983The Return of Captain InvincibleDeli Owner
- 1982There's A Lot Of It About
- 1981BergeracEdward Emanuelson
- 1981Alison's BirthdayDean Findlay
- 1980Home Sweet HomeEnzo Pacelli
- 1980Touch and GoAnatole
- 1980Franklin River JourneyNarrator
- 1979MinderSolly Salmon
- 1979Design for LivingErnest Friedman
- 1978Renoir, My FatherGleyne
- 1978The IrishmanDave
- 1978Revenge of the Pink PantherGuard at Cemetery
- 1977That's Carry On!Corporal Clotski / Moshe Montmorency (archive footage)
- 1977BBC2 Play of the WeekGleyne
- 1977Spaghetti Two-StepSidney
- 1976Escape to EntebbeReporter
- 1976Meriel the Ghost GirlSam Nicholls
- 1976BlueyNewsman
- 1976FantasmNotafreud (uncredited)
- 1976The JokeDr Einstein
- 1975Rumpole of the BaileyGaston LeBlanc
- 1975The Return of the Pink PantherBlind Beggar
- 1975The Great McGonagallvarious
- 1975Mrs. Acland's GhostsMr. Mockler
- 1974The Four MusketeersEnglish Officer/Innkeeper and other roles (voice) (uncredited)
- 1974The CafeteriaLieberman
- 1974The Over-Amorous ArtistPakistani Salesman
- 1974PlayhouseSam Nicholls
- 1974The Flying SorcererUncle Charlie
- 1973The Three MusketeersVarious Roles (voice)
- 1973Digby, the Biggest Dog in the WorldJerry
- 1973Never Mind the Quality, Feel the WidthManny Cohen
- 1972SykesHenry
- 1972Nightmare
- 1971Carry On HenryMoshe Montmorency (uncredited)
- 1970Doctor in TroubleTaxi Driver
- 1969Q...
- 1969A Talent for Loving
- 1968The Bliss of Mrs. BlossomJudge
- 1968Don't Raise the Bridge, Lower the RiverDr. Pinto
- 1968The Brahmin WidowKondu
- 1968The VisitorsArrhur Somerset
- 1967City '68Arthur Somerset
- 1967Man in a Suitcase
- 1967ITV PlayhouseKondu
- 1967Follow That CamelCorporal Clotski
- 1967Casino RoyaleCasino Doorman & MI5. Man
- 1967Never Mind the Quality, Feel the WidthManny Cohen
- 1967A Ghost of a ChanceMayor's Assistant
- 1966A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumRoman Chief Guard
- 1965BBC Play of the MonthErnest Friedman
- 1965Help!Bhuta
- 1965The Knack... and How to Get ItAngry Father
- 1964HMS ParadiseGus
- 1964A Hard Day's NightCar Thief (uncredited)
- 1964Carry On SpyingHead Waiter / Dr. Crow (voice)
- 1964The ProtectorsVladimir Kropotny
- 1964Father Came Too!Actor Playing Robert the Bruce
- 1964This Is My StreetJoe
- 1963FestivalJustin Thyme
- 1963Doctor in DistressRailway Porter (uncredited)
- 1963The Mouse on the MoonVon Neidel (as John Bluthall)
- 1962Fireball XL5
- 1962The SaintZiggy Zaglan
- 1961It's a Square World
- 1961The AvengersSergei Ivenko
- 1960Citizen JamesCharlie
- 1958The LarkinsMartinez
- 1956Armchair TheatreEmmanuel 'Manny' Cohen
- 1956Hancock's Half Hour
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