---
name: "Geoffrey Palmer"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/geoffrey-palmer"
fi1m_id: "geoffrey-palmer"
imdb_id: "nm0658244"
tmdb_id: 10746
wikidata_id: "Q328522"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "4 June 1927"
died: "5 November 2020"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-07T11:27:57.513912+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Geoffrey Palmer

## Identity

Geoffrey Palmer

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/geoffrey-palmer
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** geoffrey-palmer
- **IMDb ID:** nm0658244
- **TMDB ID:** 10746
- **Wikidata ID:** Q328522
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Palmer_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328522, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0658244/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10746

Actor. Born 4 June 1927 in Finchley, Middlesex, England, UK. Died 5 November 2020.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 4 June 1927, Finchley, Middlesex, England, UK
- **Died:** 5 November 2020
- **Active:** 1975–2014
- **Also known as:** Geoffrey Dyson Palmer
- **Frequently works with:** [Alan Bennett](https://film.one/person/alan-bennett.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 86 (3), 1980s 84 (2), 1990s 74 (4), 2000s 64 (1), 2010s 84 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 73 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Drama 5, Crime 3, Action & Adventure 2, Adventure 2, History 2
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $871m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoffrey_Palmer_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328522, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0658244/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10746

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*A Fish Called Wanda*](https://film.one/film/a-fish-called-wanda.md) (83), [*Ashes to Ashes*](https://film.one/tv/ashes-to-ashes.md) (64)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Madness of King George*](https://film.one/film/the-madness-of-king-george.md) (83)
- **BritBox:** [*Mrs Brown*](https://film.one/film/mrs-brown.md) (75)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Geoffrey Palmer was an English actor. Born Geoffrey Dyson Palmer on 4 June 1927 in North Finchley, Middlesex, he died on 5 November 2020. He was known for his roles in British television sitcoms, including Jimmy Anderson in *The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin* (1976–79), Ben Parkinson in *Butterflies* (1978–83) and Lionel Hardcastle in *As Time Goes By* (1992–2005).

His film appearances included the judge in *A Fish Called Wanda* (1988), Warren in *The Madness of King George* (1994), Sir Henry Ponsonby in *Mrs Brown* (1997), Admiral Roebuck in *Tomorrow Never Dies* (1997) and the voice of the Head Geographer in *Paddington* (2014). He also appeared in guest roles in series such as *Doctor Who*, *Fawlty Towers* and *Blackadder*.

Palmer was appointed OBE for services to drama in 2004. He trained briefly as a stage manager after national service in the Royal Marines and worked in repertory theatre before establishing himself on television and stage.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Paddington* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Head Geographer — [page](https://film.one/film/paddington.md)
- *Ashes to Ashes* (2008), Fi1m 64, as Lord Scarman — [page](https://film.one/tv/ashes-to-ashes.md)
- *Mrs Brown* (1997), Fi1m 75, as Henry Ponsonby — [page](https://film.one/film/mrs-brown.md)
- *Tomorrow Never Dies* (1997), Fi1m 64, as Admiral Roebuck — [page](https://film.one/film/tomorrow-never-dies.md)
- *The Madness of King George* (1994), Fi1m 83, as Warren — [page](https://film.one/film/the-madness-of-king-george.md)
- *A Question of Attribution* (1991), Fi1m 74, as Donleavy — [page](https://film.one/film/a-question-of-attribution.md)
- *A Fish Called Wanda* (1988), Fi1m 83, as Judge — [page](https://film.one/film/a-fish-called-wanda.md)
- *Blackadder* (1983), Fi1m 84, as Field Marshal Haig — [page](https://film.one/tv/blackadder.md)
- *The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin* (1976), Fi1m 83, as Jimmy Anderson — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-and-rise-of-reginald-perrin.md)
- *Fawlty Towers* (1975), Fi1m 90, as Dr. Price — [page](https://film.one/tv/fawlty-towers.md)
- *The Sweeney* (1975), Fi1m 84, as Commander Watson — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md)

## Complete filmography (152)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *To Olivia* (2021), Actor
- *Paddington* (2014), as Head Geographer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/paddington.md)
- *Walrus: Two Tonne Tusker* (2013), as Narrator
- *Bert & Dickie* (2012), as Charles Burnell
- *The Hollow Crown* (2012), series, as Lord Chief Justice — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-hollow-crown.md)
- *Run For Your Wife* (2012), as Man on Toilet
- *Queen Victoria's Last Love: Abdul Karim* (2012), as Narrator
- *Lost Christmas* (2011), as Dr. Clarence
- *W.E.* (2011), as Stanley Baldwin
- *The Pink Panther 2* (2009), as Joubert
- *Chateau Monty* (2008), series, Actor
- *Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley* (2008), as Sir John Crowder
- *Ashes to Ashes* (2008), series, as Lord Scarman — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/ashes-to-ashes.md)
- *Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned* (2007), as Captain Hardaker
- *James Bond's Greatest Hits* (2006), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayag* (2005), as Corbett's Ghost
- *Pope John Paul II: 1920 - 2005* (2005), as Narrator
- *Piccadilly Jim* (2004), as Bayliss
- *He Knew He Was Right* (2004), series, as Sir Marmaduke Rowley
- *The Young Visiters* (2003), as Minnit
- *Peter Pan* (2003), as Sir Edward Quiller Couch
- *Absolute Power* (2003), series, Actor
- *Looking for Victoria* (2003), series, as Narrator
- *Grumpy Old Men* (2003), series, as Narrator
- *Dickens* (2002), series, as Thackeray
- *Stig of the Dump* (2002), series, as Robert
- *The Savages* (2001), series, as Donald
- *The 1940s House* (2001), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Rat* (2000), as The Doctor
- *Anna and the King* (1999), as Lord John Bradley
- *Alice Through the Looking Glass* (1998), as White King
- *Mr. Men & Little Miss: The Christmas Letter* (1998), as Narrator / Santa
- *Reckless: The Sequel* (1998), as Robert Crane
- *Stiff Upper Lips* (1998), as His Butler's Voice
- *Tomorrow Never Dies* (1997), as Admiral Roebuck — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/tomorrow-never-dies.md)
- *Mrs Brown* (1997), as Henry Ponsonby — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/mrs-brown.md)
- *The Legacy of Reginald Perrin* (1996), series, as Jimmy Anderson
- *Mr. Men and Little Miss* (1995), series, Actor
- *Look at the State We're In!* (1995), series, as The Ruler
- *The Madness of King George* (1994), as Warren — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-madness-of-king-george.md)
- *Stalag Luft* (1993), as The Kommandant
- *As Time Goes By* (1992), series, as Lionel Hardcastle
- *A Question of Attribution* (1991), as Donleavy — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/a-question-of-attribution.md)
- *Smack and Thistle* (1991), as Sir Horace Wimbol
- *Screen One* (1989), series, as Donleavy
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Vice Admiral Hamling — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *Christabel* (1988), series, as Mr Burton
- *Hawks* (1988), as SAAB Salesman
- *A Fish Called Wanda* (1988), as Judge — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/a-fish-called-wanda.md)
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Matthew Copley-Barnes — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *Season's Greetings* (1986), as Bernard
- *Executive Stress* (1986), series, Actor
- *Clockwise* (1986), as Headmaster
- *The Insurance Man* (1986), as The Angry Doctor
- *Hot Metal* (1986), series, as Harold Stringer
- *A Zed & Two Noughts* (1985), as Fallast
- *Radio Pictures* (1985), as Glyn Bryce
- *Inside Rooms: 26 Bathrooms, London & Oxfordshire* (1985), as Narrator
- *Absurd Person Singular* (1985), as Ronald Brewster-Wright
- *Oxbridge Blues* (1984), series, as Fred
- *Fairly Secret Army* (1984), series, as Major Harry Truscott
- *Waters of the Moon* (1983), as Robert Lancaster
- *Natural World* (1983), series, as Narrator
- *The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin* (1983), as Jimmy Anderson
- *The Honorary Consul* (1983), as British Ambassador
- *Blackadder* (1983), series, as Field Marshal Haig — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/blackadder.md)
- *Dalgliesh* (1983), series, as Edwin Lorrimer
- *Death of an Expert Witness* (1983), series, as Edwin Lorrimer
- *The Funny Side of Christmas* (1982), as Jimmy Anderson, Ben Parkinson
- *The Houseboy* (1982), as Eric
- *Whoops Apocalypse* (1982), series, as Foreign Secretary
- *The Kenny Everett Television Show* (1982), series, as Various
- *Mr. Kershaw's Dream System* (1982), as Psychiastrist
- *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1981), as Quince
- *The Last Song* (1981), series, Actor
- *Bergerac* (1981), series, as Nigel Carter
- *Plays for Pleasure* (1981), series, as Alec Boot
- *Safe at Work?* (1980), as Narrator
- *The Outsider* (1979), as Col. Wyndham
- *Butterflies* (1978), series, as Ben Parkinson
- *Scorpion Tales* (1978), series, as Arnold Sparrow
- *The Professionals* (1977), series, as Avery, Simon Sinclair
- *Maidens' Trip* (1977), series, as Wilfred
- *The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin* (1976), series, as Jimmy Anderson — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-and-rise-of-reginald-perrin.md)
- *Bill Brand* (1976), series, as Malcolm Frear
- *Loyalties* (1976), as Graviter
- *A Story to Frighten the Children* (1976), as Det. Chief Insp. Harris
- *The Battle of Billy's Pond* (1976), as First Policeman
- *Fawlty Towers* (1975), series, as Dr. Price — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/fawlty-towers.md)
- *Angels* (1975), series, Actor
- *Three Comedies of Marriage* (1975), series, as Dennis
- *Goodbye* (1975), as Jack
- *The Sweeney* (1975), series, as Commander Watson — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md)
- *Churchill's People* (1974), series, as Samuel Partridge
- *Happy Ever After* (1974), series, as Mr Critchley, Bob Holsgrove
- *Away from It All* (1973), series, as Ashe
- *O Lucky Man!* (1973), as Examination Doctor/Basil Keyes
- *Only Make Believe* (1973), as Richard Nicholls
- *Colditz* (1972), series, as Doc
- *Crown Court* (1972), series, as Kenneth Eden
- *Van der Valk* (1972), series, as Head of Faculty
- *Doctor Who: The Mutants* (1972), as Administrator
- *Six Days of Justice* (1972), series, as Mr. Nicholas
- *Michael Regan* (1971), as Chief Superintendent
- *The Uninvited* (1971), as Jack Mervyn
- *The Goodies* (1970), series, as School Headmaster
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Detetective Chief Inspector Harris, Jack Buckett
- *Menace* (1970), series, as Major Ryder
- *Ben Travers Farces* (1970), series, as Hugh Stafford
- *The High Game* (1970), as Man at the Clinic
- *Doctor Who and the Silurians* (1970), as Masters
- *Doomwatch* (1970), series, as Major Sims
- *1+1=1.5* (1969), as Gosford
- *ITV Saturday Night Theatre* (1969), series, as Mac
- *The Chequers Manoeuvre* (1968), as Professor Wybrow
- *The Expert* (1968), series, as Asst. Chief Constable Rogers
- *City '68* (1967), series, as Robins
- *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Harper, Oscar, Bradley Fawcett, Man at the clinic, Eric
- *Trapped* (1967), series, as Doctor Clay Morrow
- *The Further Adventures of the Musketeers* (1967), series, as Oliver Cromwell
- *The Revenue Men* (1967), series, as Bill Mitchell
- *Cathy Come Home* (1966), as Property Agent
- *Mystery and Imagination* (1966), series, as Turner
- *Softly, Softly* (1966), series, Actor
- *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Monteith
- *Thirty-Minute Theatre* (1965), series, as Professor Wybrow
- *Out of the Unknown* (1965), series, as Jack Mervyn
- *No Place Like Earth* (1965), as Chief Officer
- *The Troubleshooters* (1965), series, as Jeremy Martin
- *The Man in Room 17* (1965), series, as Ian McWatt
- *The Joe Baker Show* (1965), series, Actor
- *Londoners* (1965), series, as Jack Poncey
- *Gideon's Way* (1965), series, as Jeff Grant
- *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, as Property Agent
- *Detective* (1964), series, as Chief Superintendent Smeed
- *Ring of Spies* (1964), as Police Officer (uncredited)
- *Doctor Who* (1963), series, as Administrator, Masters — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who.md)
- *Drama '63: A Well Dressed Man* (1963), as Basil Mallard
- *The Human Jungle* (1963), series, as Williams
- *Incident at Midnight* (1963), as Dr. Tanfield
- *A Prize of Arms* (1962), as Cpl. Myers
- *The Saint* (1962), series, as Pete Ferguson
- *Bulldog Breed* (1962), series, Actor
- *Suspense* (1962), series, as Newspaper Reporter
- *Family Solicitor* (1961), series, as Hugh Cowley
- *Drama 61-67* (1961), series, as Basil Mallard
- *The Avengers* (1961), series, as Dr. Terence, Paul Manning, Martin Smythe — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-avengers-1961.md)
- *The Strange World of Gurney Slade* (1960), series, as Floor manager
- *The Odd Man* (1960), series, as Const. Swift
- *No Hiding Place* (1959), series, as Det. Sgt. Walsh
- *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Rankin
- *Best Of Enemies*, series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Geoffrey Palmer](https://film.one/media/person/85150/gallery-3e6928178f66.jpg) Geoffrey Palmer — ExpressingYourself at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Geoffrey_Palmer_Breath_of_Fresh_Air.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Geoffrey Palmer](https://film.one/media/person/85150/gallery-f90ccc3862ef.jpg) Geoffrey Palmer — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/geoffrey-palmer