Clive
Dunn
 Portrayed
Lance Corporal Jones
Born in 1920, Clive Dunn made his
debut into the acting profession at the age of 16 in the precarious
roles of a dancing frog and a flying dragon in a production at
the Holborn Empire. An offspring from parents in show business
it came as no surprise when Clive became an actor. However on
the outbreak of war Clive found himself serving with the 4th
Hussars, he was captured and served as a POW for 4 years in Austria.
Clive became very creative in this period discovering his artistic
talents by sketching fellow prisoners. It’s a talent, which he
has kept right up till today.
After the war Clive returned to the
stage and eventually progressed to television playing an old man,
Old Johnson in the series Bootsie & Snudge.
By 1968, only in his forties Jimmy
Perry and David Croft offered him the role of Corporal Jones in
Dad's Army, a role he was hesitant on taking until having great
deliberation with fellow actor John Le Mesurier. When he realised
John would be playing a sergeant opposite Arthur Lowe's pompous
Captain he felt that the series would be a success, and decided
to give it a go.
Clive went on to play Jones for 9
years subsequently taking the role further into radio, stage and
film and receiving an OBE along the way.
Due to the fact that he was so young
the role allowed him many comical situations and scenarios playing
a very convincing old man in hair-raising stunts.
 When
Dad's Army ended Clive played a similar character based around
his hit record Grandad for children's television.
Clive retired to Portugal with his
wife Priscilla in the mid 80's where he successfully ran a business
for some time. He occasionally makes appearances on television
and has written his autobiography and a collection of funny stories
in recent years.
Now in his 80th year it
is quite ironic that Clive has now reached the age of the character
he began playing with great
effect over 30 years ago.
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