Jonathan Linsley - “From Holmfirth to Hollywood”

Actor and Bexhill resident Jonathan Linsley was the guest at the club’s meeting on 28 March, 2018. Jonathan treated us to an entertaining and anecdotal journey from Holmfirth, the area where he became a household name, to Hollywood where he starred in the blockbuster productions of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Bought up in Yorkshire Jonathan was inspired by his English teacher to become an actor. He joined the National Youth Theatre and graduated with honours in Theatrical Studies from Warwick University before attending The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School to train as an actor. He made his professional debut in 1980.and within a year had a part in TV series with Ian Lavender. Spotted by the producer of “The Last of the Summer Wine” he was given the opportunity to play the role of Crusher Milburn, a role he played for eight years. He also appeared in the spin off, “First of the Summer Wine” The series was filmed in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, very close to his home town of Huddersfield, an area he still loves. Holmfirth was not new to filming, in fact in the early 1900’s it was the hub of the film industry until it lost out to Hollywood where the weather was considerably better and less variable!

Jonathan continued with his audition for Pirates of the Caribbean and told of his escapades of his time in Los Angeles and the reverence in which all actors were held and that nearly every one he came across was an actor “just working at something else as a second job” who would carry a screenplay they were hoping someone would take to a producer. He spoke of his encounters with a traffic cop and how the differences between english English and american English and differences in culture caused hilarious but potentially dangerous situations. He talked about the “star” treatment he received whilst making the movies - evidently those not in the process of making movies don’t count anymore.- such as first class air travel, chauffeur driven stretch limos and hotel suites. In contrast the BBC provided facilities from stark to more luxurious dependent on your line in the acting hierarchy!

Jonathan now cares for his wheelchair bound wife and any “fees” he receives he donates to the Bexhill Gateway Club, a club for adults with learning difficulties, where he is a regular helper.

Thank you, Jonathan, for an interesting, fascinating and humorous journey through your career. We look forward to another talk from you in the future.