Jimmy Perry

James "Jimmy" Perry, creator of many popular British sitcoms, was born in Barnes, England. His father, Arthur Perry, was an antiques dealer who would found the British Antique Dealers' Association. Perry grew up being regaled with tales from his butler grandfather, which would eventually serve as the inspiration for one of the shows he created with frequent collaborator David Croft, "You Rang, M'Lord?" (BBC1, 1988-1993). During World War II, a young Perry joined the British Home Guard; most famously, this experience gave him the idea for his most popular co-creation with Croft, "Dad's Army" (BBC1, 1968-1977). His military experience would continue to fuel his creative efforts, as his enlistment in regular service and subsequent transfer to Eastern Asia posts served as the basis for "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" (BBC1, 1974-1981). After returning from war, Perry enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1947, while also working at holiday camp chain Butlin's as a "Redcoat," a host and entertainer. The latter experience led to "Hi-de-Hi's" (BBC1, 1980-88) inception. He worked as an actor in local repertory theatres throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. In 1953, Perry married actress Gilda Neeltje, making him brother-in-law to Diane Holland, who would appear in "Hi-de-Hi!" (BBC1, 1980-88). They would separate at an unspecified time in the future. Perry took a meeting with BBC executives in 1966 to pitch "Dad's Army" (BBC1, 1968-1977), which he was tentatively calling "The Fighting Tigers." Perry and co-creator Croft, who worked together on all their major successes, faced opposition from not only BBC executives, but even actors on the show while working on the first series. One producer called the concept "absolutely mad," as it satirized WWII and Britain's efforts in it, and John Le Mesurier, who played Sergeant Wilson, called it "an absolute disaster." However, when it began airing in 1968, "Dad's Army" (BBC1, 1968-1977) became a major success and is now considered one of the best British sitcoms of all time. Both Perry and Croft wrote the series throughout its run, as with all their creations. They followed up their major success with "It Ain't Half Hot Mum" (BBC1, 1974-1981), another hugely popular show. Perry received his OBE in 1978, but the following year, his attempt to branch out from Croft as the sole creator of a show, "Room Service" (ITV, 1979), was not as successful; it was cancelled within the year. He and Croft reunited on "Hi-de-Hi!" (BBC1, 1980-88) and "You Rang, M'Lord?" (BBC1, 1988-1993), both to huge critical and commercial success. Perry solely created another show "High Street Blues" (ITV, 1989), but it only ran for six episodes. He died on October 23, 2016 at age 93, and was survived by his partner, costume designer Mary Husband.