JH
Photo of James Hazeldine

James Hazeldine

Actor, Director
Died December 17, 2002 (55 years)
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 & Shows on Plex
  • Midsomer Murders
  • Sherlock Holmes (1984)
  • The Medusa Touch
  • The Ruling Class
  • Heartbeat
  • London's Burning
Known For
  • The Last Train
  • Emma
  • Miss Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage
  • The Omega Factor
  • London's Burning
  • One Summer
  • Harold Shipman: Doctor Death
  • Heartbeat
  • Sam
  • Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years
  • Chocky
  • Macbeth
  • London's Burning
  • Business as Usual
  • The Corsican Brothers
  • Play for Today
  • My Friend Walter
  • Hero of the Hour
  • Streets Apart
  • The Mine and the Minotaur

Filmography

2002
Harold Shipman: Doctor Death · as Di Stan Egerton
2002
Masters of Darkness (TV Series) · as John Dee
2001
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (TV Series) · as Dennis Luxford
2001
Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years (TV Series) · as Ivan Braithwaite
2000
Jules Verne's Amazing Journeys (TV Series) · as Cast
2000
Fat Friends (TV Series) · as Ian Smithson
2000
Eisenstein · as Jack Marshall
2000
Deceit (TV Series) · as Henry Richmond
2000
Hero of the Hour · as D. I. Whelan
1999
New York: A Documentary Film (TV Series) · as Cast
1999
Heartbeat Chronicles · as Reg Manston
1999
The Last Train (TV Series) · as Austin Danforth
1999
The Vice (TV Series)
1997
The Grand (TV Series)
1997
Midsomer Murders (TV Series) · as Leo Bantock
1996
Emma · as Mr. Weston
1996
Dalziel and Pascoe (TV Series)
1992
My Friend Walter · as Charlie Throckmorton
1992
Heartbeat (TV Series) · as Reg Manston
1988
Streets Apart (TV Series) · as Bernie Walters
1988
1988
London's Burning (TV Series) · as Mike 'bayleaf' Wilson
1987
Inspector Morse (TV Series) · as Digby Tuckerman
1986
1986
London's Burning · as Michael 'bayleaf' Wilson
1986
Worlds Beyond (TV Series) · as Detective Inspector Craig
1986
Chocky's Challenge (TV Series) · as David Gore
1986
Boon (TV Series) · as Ds Corrigan
1985
The Corsican Brothers · as Vincente Da Franchi
1984
Screen Two (TV Series) · as Mowbray
1984
Sherlock Holmes (1984) (TV Series) · as Richard Brunton
1984
Chocky (TV Series) · as David Gore
1983
Macbeth · as Malcolm
1983
One Summer (TV Series)
1982
1980
The Mine and the Minotaur · as Graham Tarrant
1980
Exchange and Divide · as Kenneth Carr
1979
The Omega Factor (TV Series) · as Tom Crane
1978
1978
1978
Armchair Thriller (TV Series) · as Dave
1974
Stardust · as Brian
1974
NOVA (TV Series) · as Derek Slater
1973
Sam (TV Series) · as Frank Barraclough
1973
1973
Kisses at Fifty · as Chris
1972
Crown Court (TV Series) · as Harry Miller
1972
1972
New Scotland Yard (TV Series) · as Colin Guest
1971
1970
Tales of Unease (TV Series) · as Gerald
1970
Play for Today (TV Series) · as Patrick
1970
Sovereign's Company · as Dawkins
1970
A Family At War (TV Series) · as Cpl. Hattersley
1969
The Main Chance (TV Series) · as Staff Sgt. Timson
1969
ITV Saturday Night Theatre (TV Series) · as Peter Drew
1965
Play of the Month (TV Series)
1964
The Wednesday Play (TV Series) · as Dawkins
1951
Hallmark Hall Of Fame (TV Series) · as Vincente De Franchi

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