1947-04-04 ( 78 years old ) in Salford, Lancashire, England
British actor James Hazeldine was a well-known face both on British Television and on Stage. Best known for his role as Mike "Bayleaf" Wilson in the ITV drama, London's Burning (1988), many real-life firefighters thought Bayleaf was the character who closely and accurately portrayed your average real-life firefighter, a credit to his acting abilities. A meticulous performer, he was well-known for researching every part he played, and firmly believed that by accurately portraying a character the audience would feel much more involved in and enveloped by the performance. He played the role continuously for seven years from the serial's inception in 1988. (The character's sobriquet stemmed from a culinary bent for complex recipes).
In a career spanning three decades, he also guested in such series as 'Boon' and 'Miss Marple', and, in the late 1980s, played the manager of the electrics company in Central's early-evening situation comedy, Young, Gifted and Broke (1989). In 1995, Hazeldine's character was written out of London's Burning of the actor's own volition, but he remained with the programme as a director. In years to come, he expanded his directing talents to encompass other UK drama serials, among them TV's The Knock (1994) and Heartbeat (1992). His acting CV also included sporadic film appearances, such as Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982). Although renowned as a television performer, he was also a respected stage actor, having trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company and, at one time, acted on Broadway alongside Glenda Jackson. He was rehearsing for his role as Sigmund Freud in a new stage play, 'The Talking Cure', when he became ill. In 2002 he appeared in the controversial drama, Shipman, which re-enacted events surrounding the murderous killing spree of Dr Harold Shipman, Britain's most prolific serial killer. Hazeldine assumed the role of Detective Inspector Stan Egerton, the man charged with leading the investigation into the deranged doctor's crimes.
Determined that the dramatization should be as authentic as possible, Hazeldine even met with the retired policeman to ensure a realistic portrayal of the diligent law enforcer. Ironically, while the Shipman drama was in production, the real-life Mr. Egerton died suddenly and prematurely of a coronary disorder. James Hazeldine died on 18 December 2002, aged 55. There will never be anyone quite like him again, British Television mourned the loss of a truly great actor, director and personality.
Movies
Harold Shipman: Doctor Death
2002-07-09
Hero of the Hour
2000-03-12
Emma
1996-10-02
My Friend Walter
1992-04-24
Pirate Prince
1991-12-26
A Small Dance
1991-11-16
Close Relations
1990-02-04
On the Palm
1987-04-05
Business as Usual
1987-01-01
Miss Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage
1986-12-25
London's Burning: The Movie
1986-12-07
Chocky's Challenge
1986-09-29
The Corsican Brothers
1985-02-05
Chocky's Children
1985-01-07
Chocky
1984-01-09
Macbeth
1983-11-05
John David
1982-11-23
Pink Floyd: The Wall
1982-07-14
Exchange and Divide
1980-01-01
The Medusa Touch
1978-04-13
Red Shift
1978-01-17
Forgotten Love Songs
1978-01-04
Love on a Gunboat
1977-01-04
The Lady of the Camellias
1976-12-13
For Services to Myself
1976-02-15
Stardust
1974-10-24
The National Health
1973-03-06
Kisses at Fifty
1973-01-22
The Ruling Class
1972-09-13
Nicholas and Alexandra
1971-11-29
Everybody Say Cheese
1971-06-03
Ride, Ride
1970-10-30
The Long Distance Piano Player
1970-10-15
Sovereign's Company
1970-04-21
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