John Moffatt was an English actor and playwright known for his numerous roles on BBC radio, notably as Hercule Poirot in 25 adaptations of Agatha Christie novels, and for portraying Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in dramatizations of Sherlock Holmes, as well as appearing in other radio and television productions throughout his career.
His full name was Albert John Moffatt, and he was born in Badby, England, to Ernest Moffatt and Letitia Hickman, servants to Alexandra of Denmark at Marlborough House and Sandringham House. He studied at Richmond Park Academy in London, and then spent three years working in a bank in the City of London. In the evenings, he attended drama classes taught by John Burrell at Toynbee Hall. Moffatt concealed his attendance from his parents, who considered a theatrical career too uncertain.
He first appeared on stage in 1944 at the Liverpool Playhouse, playing the Raven in a touring children's production of The Snow Queen. His debut in mainstream theatre came in 1945 at the Perth Theatre, playing opposite Alec McCowen, with whom he developed a lifelong friendship. Over the next five years he learned his craft by performing over 200 roles with repertory companies in Oxford and Windsor, and at the Bristol Old Vic. At Oxford, he and the young Tony Hancock played the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella. Moffatt retained his interest in pantomime, being a celebrated actor of the traditional British role of the pantomime dame, and having written five plays in the genre.
He first appeared on stage in 1944 at the Liverpool Playhouse, playing the Raven in a touring children's production of The Snow Queen. His debut in mainstream theatre came in 1945 at the Perth Theatre, playing opposite Alec McCowen, with whom he developed a lifelong friendship. Over the next five years he learned his craft by performing over 200 roles with repertory companies in Oxford and Windsor, and at the Bristol Old Vic. At Oxford, he and the young Tony Hancock played the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella. Moffatt retained his interest in pantomime, being a celebrated actor of the traditional British role of the pantomime dame, and having written five plays in the genre.
Moffatt's first BBC radio appearance was in the serial Mrs Dale's Diary (1950), and for much of the 1980s he was a member of the BBC Radio Drama Company. Later radio credits included the roles of Oswald in King Lear, Lord Chief Justice in Falstaff, and Quilp in The Old Curiosity Shop. He also portrayed Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in BBC adaptations. His best-known radio role was as Hercule Poirot in 25 adaptations of Agatha Christie's plays. The first was The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, broadcast on 24 December 1987.
Moffatt made his television debut in 1953, playing Grebeauval in The Public Prosecutor, appearing in many BBC and commercial network broadcasts over the following decades. He played Joseph Surface in The School for Scandal, Brush in The Clandestine Marriage, the Prince of Aragon in The Merchant of Venice, Casca in Julius Caesar, Malvolio and Sir Andrew in two different productions of Twelfth Night, and Ben in The Adventures of Ben Gunn. In 1980, he appeared in the Thames Television television series Love in a Cold Climate, an adaptation of a novel by Nancy Mitford. He also appeared in an episode of the Agatha Christie adaptation of Miss Marple, The Body in the Library, playing the role of Edwards.
Moffatt made his television debut in 1953, playing Grebeauval in The Public Prosecutor, appearing in many BBC and commercial network broadcasts over the following decades. He played Joseph Surface in The School for Scandal, Brush in The Clandestine Marriage, the Prince of Aragon in The Merchant of Venice, Casca in Julius Caesar, Malvolio and Sir Andrew in two different productions of Twelfth Night, and Ben in The Adventures of Ben Gunn. In 1980, he appeared in the Thames Television television series Love in a Cold Climate, an adaptation of a novel by Nancy Mitford. He also appeared in an episode of the Agatha Christie adaptation of Miss Marple, The Body in the Library, playing the role of Edwards.
Moffatt's film career began with Loser Takes All (1956), playing a small role as a hotel waiter. His only other film of the decade was The Silent Enemy (1958). In 1963, he appeared in Tom Jones (1963). The 1970s were the most prolific decade for his big-screen work, with appearances in Julius Caesar (1970), Lady Caroline Lamb (1973), Romance with a Double Bass (1974), Galileo (1974), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and S.O.S. Titanic (1979). In the 1980s, he appeared in the television series Minder (1982) and in Britannia Hospital (1982), his last film.
After retiring from the theater in 1988, Moffatt performed regularly alongside Judi Dench and her husband, Michael Williams, in the verse collection Fond and Familiar. Upon Williams's death in 2001, Dench and Moffatt performed the show with Geoffrey Palmer.
John Moffatt died at his home after a long illness, two weeks before his ninetieth birthday. He was single and was survived by his sister, Marjorie.
John Moffatt died at his home after a long illness, two weeks before his ninetieth birthday. He was single and was survived by his sister, Marjorie.
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