Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
October 21, 1926
Died
October 5, 1984 (age 57)
Place of Birth
Wavertree, Liverpool, England, UK
Also Known As
Len Rossiter
Leonard Rossiter
Biography
Leonard Rossiter (21 October 1926 – 5 October 1984) was an English actor known for his roles as Rupert Rigsby, in the British comedy television series Rising Damp (1974–78), and Reginald Iolanthe Perrin, in The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976–79). He also had a long and distinguished career in the theatre and gained some notoriety for a series of Cinzano commercials (1978–1983), with Joan Collins.
Known For
TV
BBC Play of the Month
The Prime Minister
1965
TV
BBC Play of the Month
Colonel Lukyn
1965
TV
Play for Today
1970
TV
Play for Today
Arthur
1970
TV
Theatre 625
Doctor Knock
1964
TV
Theatre 625
Fred Midway
1964
TV
Theatre 625
François-Marie Aroue / Voltaire
1964
TV
Theatre 625
Co-Ordinator Ugo Priest
1964
TV
Z-Cars
1962
Film
2001: A Space Odyssey
Dr. Andrei Smyslov
1968
TV
BBC2 Play of the Week
Frank Harris
1977
TV
ITV Playhouse
Fred Tomlinson
1967
TV
ITV Playhouse
Nikolai Krobnevsky
1967
TV
Festival
Daudet
1963
Film
Barry Lyndon
Captain Quin
1975
TV
Studio 4
Gerard Moustier
1962
TV
Redcap
Sergeant Rolfe
1964
Film
Machinegunner
Cyril Dugdale
1976
Film
Oliver!
Sowerberry
1968
TV
Rising Damp
Rigsby
1974
Filmography
2022FilmLeonard Rossiter: Comedy Greatas Self (Archive footage)2005FilmThe Funny Blokes of British Comedyas Reginald Perrin (archive footage) (uncredited)2000FilmThe Unforgettable Leonard Rossiteras Various (archive footage)1999FilmStarry Nightas Mr. Morganstern1996Film'Oh, Miss Jones!': The Very Best of Leonard Rossiteras Self1985FilmThe Moon Over Sohoas Max von Konigsberg1985FilmAlice in Wonderlandas King (voice)1985TVAlice in Wonderlandas King of Hearts1985FilmWateras Sir Malcolm Leveridge1984FilmThe Life and Death of King Johnas King John1984TVTripper's Dayas Norman Tripper1984FilmDog Endsas Arthur1983FilmThe Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrinas Reginald Perrin1982FilmThe Funny Side of Christmasas Reginald Perrin1982FilmTrail of the Pink Pantheras Superintendant Quinlan1982FilmBritannia Hospitalas Vincent Potter1981FilmThe Factoryas Harry Meadows1980FilmRising Dampas Rigsby1979FilmLe Petomaneas Monsieur Joseph Pujol1979TVThe Perishersas Boot (voice)1978FilmThe Waterloo Bridge Handicapas Charles Barker1978TVThe Losers1978FilmFearless Frank1977TVBBC2 Play of the Weekas Frank Harris1977TVThe Galton & Simpson Playhouseas Jim1976FilmVoyage of the Damnedas Commander von Bonin1976FilmThe Pink Panther Strikes Againas Quinlan1976TVThe Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrinas Reginald 'Reggie' Iolanthe Perrin1976FilmMachinegunneras Cyril Dugdale1975FilmBarry Lyndonas Captain Quin1975FilmAfter the Soloas Dawson1974TVRising Dampas Rigsby1974TVThe Carnforth Practiceas Aaros Boswell1974FilmIf There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Themas The Blind Man1974FilmLutheras Brother Weinand1970TVPlay for Today1970FilmThe Italian Tableas Mr. Jeffs1969FilmThe Double Agentas Nikolai Krobnevsky1969FilmOtleyas Johnson1969TVITV Saturday Night Theatreas 'X'1968FilmDiamonds for Breakfastas Inspector Dudley1968FilmOliver!as Sowerberry1968FilmDeadfallas Fillmore1968FilmThe Year of the Sex Olympicsas Co-ordinator Ugo Priest1968FilmThe Fanaticsas Voltaire1968Film2001: A Space Odysseyas Dr. Andrei Smyslov1967TVITV Playhouseas Fred Tomlinson1967FilmThe Whisperersas Assistance Board Officer1967FilmDrums Along The Avonas Mr. Marcus1967FilmDeadlier Than the Maleas Henry Bridgenorth1966FilmThe Witchesas Dr. Wallis1966TVYou Can't Win1966FilmThe Devil's Eggshellas Prime Minister1966FilmThe Wrong Boxas Vyvyan Alistair Montague1966TVDeath is a Good Living1966FilmHotel Paradisoas Inspector1965FilmKing Ratas McCoy1965TVBBC Play of the Monthas The Prime Minister1964TVRedcapas Sergeant Rolfe1964TVTheatre 625as Doctor Knock1964FilmThe Long Shipsas Persian Soldier Who Falls On Sword (uncredited)1964FilmA Jolly Bad Fellowas Dr. Fisher1963TVFestivalas Daudet1963FilmBilly Liaras Emanuel Shadrack1963FilmThis Sporting Lifeas Phillips, Sports Writer1962FilmA Kind of Lovingas Whymper1962TVStudio 4as Gerard Moustier1962TVSteptoe and Sonas Johnny Spooner1962TVZ-Cars—FilmAfter Loch Lomondas Mickey Grant