George Layton hails from a family who arrived in Bradford as refugees from Hungary just before the outbreak of the Second World War. His family’s’ original name was Lowy. He was born 2nd March 1943 in Bradford to Freddie and Edith Layton. He has a brother Peter Layton who is a glass-blower, sculpture and artist based in London.
He has been an actor on our screens and on the stage since the 1960′s, starring in such memorable productions as Doctor in the House playing the character of medical student Paul Collier and the two series which folllowed it Doctor at Large and Doctor in Charge. He is also well known for playing Bombardier Solly Solomons in the first two series of It Ain’t Half Hot Mum as well as roles in The Likely Lads, Z-Cars, The Liver Birds and the The Sweeney.
Lately he has returned to the role a playing TV doctors in BBC hospital dramas Casualty and Holby City. He is also a recognisable figure in adverts, adding his voice and personality to entice viewers and listeners into buying various products and services. Also he has played the character of Norman in the long running British TV soap opera Eastenders, back in 2011. Norman has been described as ‘hapless, clumsy and unlucky in life… a lonely, good-hearted man’.
In the summer of 2010 he apeared on the stage in the lead role of Morry the taior in the play The Bespoke Overcoat.
Here is a clip of the original short film from 1956, which was directed by Jack Layton, and starred Alfie Bass and David Kossoff.
Goerge can most recently be seen in an advert for Liverpool Victoria car insurance. There is also an historic video on YouTube of George in an advert for the alcoholic beverage Guiness.
As well as been in front of the camera, George has worked behind it as a writer. He has written three novels, portraying what could be a semi autobiographical account of family life in post war Northern England. These are The Fib and Other Stories, The Swap and Other Stories and The Trick and Other Stories.
More information on George Layton:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Layton