---
name: "Sam Kelly"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sam-kelly"
fi1m_id: "sam-kelly"
imdb_id: "nm0446844"
tmdb_id: 72310
wikidata_id: "Q2419414"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "19 December 1943"
died: "14 June 2014"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 82
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-07T12:16:04.477247+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."
---

# Sam Kelly

## Identity

Sam Kelly

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sam-kelly
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sam-kelly
- **IMDb ID:** nm0446844
- **TMDB ID:** 72310
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2419414
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Kelly, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2419414, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0446844/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/72310

Actor. Born 19 December 1943 in Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK. Died 14 June 2014.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 19 December 1943, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK
- **Died:** 14 June 2014
- **Active:** 1974–2014
- **Average Fi1m score:** 82, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 89 (1), 1980s 84 (1), 1990s 77 (2), 2010s 84 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 80 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 2, Crime 2, History 2, Mystery 2, Music 1
- **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $30m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Kelly, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2419414, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0446844/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/72310

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Topsy-Turvy*](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md) (88)

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

## Fi1m on Sam Kelly

> Sam Kelly makes eccentric characters worth having around. We value the comic timing that gave Warren his place in *Porridge*, and the unshowy ensemble acting that made Kelly a natural fit for Mike Leigh.

Sam Kelly often peers through spectacles, but it is the timing that makes the eccentricity worth watching. As the illiterate Warren in *Porridge* (1974), he is part of a company led by Ronnie Barker, in a programme whose affection for its characters is as carefully judged as its jokes. We laughed and grew fond of them because the precise comedy left room for that affection. The warders’ battles with Fletcher can become predictable, but we would still choose this company over a sitcom in which everyone is waiting to speak.

Warren was his television breakthrough, followed by the hapless Captain Hans Geering in *'Allo 'Allo* (1982). Geering's comic mannerisms made Kelly memorable, but we would be wary of treating either role as the full account of what he could do. By then, his association with Mike Leigh was already under way, having begun with television work in 1976. That collaboration continued across film and stage, giving Kelly both comic and tragic parts.

In *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), he plays Richard Barker within Leigh's account of the preparation of *The Mikado*. Jim Broadbent is at the centre, but the film needs an attentive ensemble, and Kelly's ability to work within one is a substantial virtue. We recommend it with the caveat that the historical detail sometimes slows the drama; the people are what keep it absorbing. Leigh is the collaborator to follow when looking for the work beyond Kelly's familiar sitcom characters.

Sid in *All or Nothing* (2002) belongs to that longer partnership, which continued through *Mr. Turner* (2014), Kelly's final film role. We are wary of measuring this sort of actor by how far he gets from the comedy that made him familiar. Making Warren work alongside Ronnie Barker is an achievement in itself, and one the more serious parts do not need to justify. Start with *Porridge*; there is no obligation to choose the historical film first.

## Biography

Sam Kelly (born Roger Michael Kelly) was an English actor who worked in film, television, radio and theatre. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art after studying at Liverpool Collegiate School and singing in Liverpool Cathedral choir.

He is best known for his role as the prisoner Bunny Warren in the BBC sitcom *Porridge* (1974–77) and as Captain Hans Geering in *'Allo 'Allo!* (1982–87). Other television credits include Sam in *On the Up* (1990–92) and Ted Liversidge in *Barbara* (1995–2003). Film roles include appearances in *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), *All or Nothing* (2002), *Mr. Turner* (2014) and *Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang* (2010).

Kelly died on 14 June 2014, aged 70.

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

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Mr. Turner* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Theatre Actor — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-turner.md)
- *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Richard Barker — [page](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md)
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), Fi1m 66, as Jack Fothergill — [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Walter Majors — [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *Porridge* (1974), Fi1m 89, as Warren — [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md)

## Complete filmography (87)

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

- *Comedy Classics: Porridge* (2022), as (archive footage)
- *Mr. Turner* (2014), as Theatre Actor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-turner.md)
- *Common People* (2013), as Derrick
- *A Running Jump* (2012), as Grandad
- *The Broken Santa* (2011), as Ron
- *Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang* (2010), as Mr. Docherty
- *Harvest* (2009), Actor
- *My Black Little Heart* (2008), Wardrobe Supervisor
- *Christmas at the Riviera* (2007), as Dennis
- *The Man from Montevideo* (2007), as Cyril Rickett
- *New Street Law* (2006), series, as Dr Hennigan
- *Northern Lights* (2006), series, Actor
- *Beauty* (2004), as Bernard Wardle
- *Ready When You Are, Mr McGill* (2004), as Edgar
- *EastEnders: Pat and Mo* (2004), as Stan Porter
- *Life Begins* (2004), series, as Mediator
- *New Tricks* (2004), series, as Guy Carse
- *Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher* (2003), as 'Bunny' Warren
- *All or Nothing* (2002), as Sid
- *Black Books* (2000), series, as Moo-Pa — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-books.md)
- *Honest* (2000), as Uncle Sid Gallin
- *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), as Richard Barker — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md)
- *Oliver Twist* (1999), series, as Giles
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Masks of Evil* (1999), as Dr. Heinzer
- *Barbara* (1999), series, as Ted Liversidge
- *What's a Carry On?* (1998), as Projectionist (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *Cold Feet* (1998), series, as Pete's Dad
- *Born to Run* (1997), series, as Raymond
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Jack Fothergill — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Silent Witness* (1996), series, Actor
- *Eleven Men Against Eleven* (1995), as Ron Griffiths
- *Martin Chuzzlewit* (1994), series, as Mr Mould
- *Requiem Apache* (1994), as John
- *Stalag Luft* (1993), as Adolf Hitler
- *Peak Practice* (1993), series, as Frank Watkins
- *Magic Grandad* (1993), series, as Grandad
- *A Touch of Frost* (1992), series, as Scully — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-touch-of-frost.md)
- *Blue Ice* (1992), as George
- *Virtual Murder* (1992), series, as Paul Pinkerton
- *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Harry Hawkswell, Stan Bickle
- *On the Up* (1990), series, Actor
- *Night Voice* (1990), as Jonjo O'Neill
- *Haggard* (1990), series, Actor
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as John Merdell — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *Making Out* (1989), series, Actor
- *Christabel* (1988), series, as Karl Langbehn
- *Thin Air* (1988), as Henry Campbell
- *Thin Air* (1988), series, as Henry Campbell
- *Acorn Antiques* (1987), as Director
- *Will You Love Me Tomorrow* (1987), as Beachcomber
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Walter Majors — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as John Clayton, Percy Miles — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *We'll Think of Something* (1986), series, Actor
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Jonjo O'Neill
- *The Insurance Man* (1986), as One-Legged Man
- *Frankie and Johnnie* (1986), as Lomax
- *Home to Roost* (1985), series, as Ted Higgs
- *Bleak House* (1985), series, as Snagsby, Snagbsy
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Lomax
- *Arthur's Hallowed Ground* (1984), as Sales Representative
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *'Allo 'Allo!* (1984), series, as Captain Hans Geering
- *Scully* (1984), series, as Brady
- *Now And Then* (1983), series, as Norman Elston - Then
- *Boys from the Blackstuff* (1982), series, as Pub Manager
- *The Bounder* (1982), series, as Alf
- *Days at the Beach* (1981), as Sergeant Major Globe
- *Grown-Ups* (1980), as Mr Butcher
- *Porridge* (1979), as Warren
- *Who's Who* (1979), as Mr Desmond Shakespeare
- *Pickersgill People* (1978), series, as Ronnie Todd
- *Professional Foul* (1977), as Grayson
- *Porridge: The Desperate Hours* (1976), as Warren
- *The Chester Mystery Plays* (1976), Actor
- *Rentaghost* (1976), series, as Mr Amery
- *Porridge: No Way Out* (1975), as Warren
- *Carry On Behind* (1975), as Projectionist (uncredited)
- *Porridge* (1974), series, as Warren — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md)
- *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Ralph Butcher, Sgt. Maj. Globe
- *Carry On Dick* (1974), as Sir Roger's Coachman
- *Second City Firsts* (1973), series, as Mr. Bowes
- *Soap Opera in Stockwell* (1973), as Nancy
- *Black and Blue* (1973), series, as Nancy
- *Seven of One* (1973), series, as Policeman
- *The World Of Cilla* (1973), series, Actor
- *Crown Court* (1972), series, as Eddie White
- *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Parson Kidgell

---
© 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/sam-kelly