Roy Stewart

Roy Stewart (15 May 1925 – 27 October 2008) was a Jamaican-born British actor. He began his career as a stuntman and went on to work in film and television.

For the actor of the silent-era, see Roy Stewart (silent film actor). For those of a similar name, see Roy Stuart (disambiguation).

Roy Stewart
Born(1925-05-15)15 May 1925
Jamaica
Died27 October 2008(2008-10-27) (aged 83)
London, England
Occupationactor
Years active1959–1981

In 1954 he founded Roy Stewart's Gym in Powis Square, North Kensington, and ran the Caribbean club and restaurant The Globe, in Talbot Road until his death. Stewart played Quarrel Junior in the James Bond film Live and Let Die (1973). Other film appearances include Carry On Up the Jungle (1970), Leo the Last (1970), Games That Lovers Play (1971), Twins of Evil (1971), Lady Caroline Lamb (1972), Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers (1977) and Arabian Adventure (1979). He was also active on television, with credits including: Out of the Unknown, Adam Adamant Lives!, Doctor Who (in the serials The Tomb of the Cybermen and Terror of the Autons), Doomwatch, Up Pompeii!, The Troubleshooters, Space: 1999 and I, Claudius.

Background

One of seven brothers, Roy Stewart was born in Jamaica, and came to Britain in 1948 with aspirations of being a doctor. But either theatre or a television commercial changed that.[1][2]

Having suffered for some time from heart disease, Stewart died on 28 October 2008, aged 83.[3]

Film and television career

In a role, possibly his earliest, Stewart appeared in a television advert for Fry's Turkish Delight, playing a snake charmer. Later, he was an extra in films and did stunt work.[2] He would become one of the top black actors and stuntmen in Britain.[4]

Film

Possibly his earliest role was an uncredited one, playing a slave in the 1959 film, The Mummy. In 1973, he played the part of Quarrel Junior in the James Bond film Live and Let Die starring Roger Moore.[4] Having not returned for many years to Jamaica where the film was being shot, Stewart suffered in the heat and couldn't believe the changes that had taken place over the years.[5]

One of his last roles in film was as Pomeroy in Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective, a 1981 made-for-television movie.[6]

Television

He appeared in Doctor Who at least twice. He played Toberman in The Tomb of the Cybermen and Tony in Terror of the Autons.[7]

Television commercials
  • Fry's Turkish Delight[2]
  • Surf washing powder[3]

Business interests

Stewart ran a basement gymnasium at 32A Powis Square, Kensington, west London which was opened in 1954.[1][2] It had the policy of allowing all races to train there. Some actors trained there too, one of them, David Prowse, a Commonwealth Games weightlifter in 1962, went on to play Darth Vader in the film Star Wars. The Gymnasium had a dual purpose. It was also an unofficial after-hours drinking club.[2] By 1964, Stewart had been convicted four times for selling liquor without a license.[8] He also ran a nightclub in Bayswater. Jimi Hendrix, Van Morrison and Bob Marley were some of the patrons.[1]

The Globe

In the 1960s he opened a Caribbean restaurant and bar called The Globe.[1] The Globe, formerly Bajy's, was located at 103 Talbot Road.[9][10] Jimi Hendrix was reportedly seen there the night before his death in September 1970.[11][10] Stewart ran The Globe until he died in October 2008.[7] The Globe functions to this day and is one of longest-running nightclubs in London. It also has a Caribbean restaurant upstairs.[12]

Filmography
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References
  1. Gaughan, Gavin (4 February 2009). "Obituary: Roy Stewart". The Guardian.
  2. Olden, Mark. Murder in Notting Hill. Washington. p. 19. ISBN 9781846945366.
  3. "OBITUARY: Tributes for 'flamboyant' gym owner". getwestlondon. 13 November 2008.
  4. DeMichael, Tom (December 2012). James Bond FAQ : all that's left to know about everyone's favorite superspy. ISBN 9781557838568.
  5. Goldeneye: Where Bond Was Born: Ian Fleming's Jamaica By Matthew Parker Page 317
  6. IMdb Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective (1981 TV Movie), Full Cast & Crew
  7. "Actor Roy Stewart Passes". itzcaribbean. 2 November 2008.
  8. Policing Notting Hill: Fifty Years of Turbulence By Tony Moore Page 114
  9. Portobello film festival Portobello film festival 2006, Counter Culture Portobello Psychogeographical History by Tom Vague.
  10. Vague, Tom. "1968 - 1979, The Mangrove and Troubled Times". All Saints Road Business Association. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015.
  11. Colville Community Forum Talbot Road
  12. All in London The Globe, 103 Talbot Road, Notting Hill, London
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