Carry On Originals: Eric Barker

This is part of a new series of blogs looking back at the stars of the original Carry On film, Carry On Sergeant. 2018 marks 60 years since Sergeant was made and released so what better time to turn the focus on all those brilliant actors who brought our favourite series of comedy films to life? 

I'm continuing today with an actor who made his name on radio but went on to hold a unique place in the Carry On cannon, Eric Barker

Role in Carry On Sergeant: Captain Potts

Other Carry On roles: Eric returned to play a leading role in Carry On Constable - Inspector Mills, another authority figure. Barker was again in charge when he played The Chief in Carry On Spying in 1964 and returned one more time for the last film in the original run, Carry On Emmannuelle in 1978 where he played the wordless cameo of an Ancient General. Eric was also one of only three actors to appear in both the first and the last of the original run (the others being Kenneths Williams and Connor).

Other notable film performances: Eric played Culpepper Brown in three of the St Trinian's films between 1957 and 1966. He also starred alongside Carry On alumni Bob Monkhouse, Kenneth Connor and Shirley Eaton in two of the Dentist film comedies. Other films for Peter Rogers and Gerald Thomas included Watch Your Stern (1960) and Raising The Wind (1961). He played the police doctor in the Norman Wisdom film On The Beat (1962) and teamed up with Leslie Phillips and Stanley Baxter for both The Fast Lady (1962) and Father Came Too! (1964).

Best remembered for: Playing authority figures and army types in some of the best post-war British comedy films.

Did you know?: Eric Barker won the BAFTA for best newcomer in film for his role as Alec Blair in the 1957 comedy Brothers in Law.

Eric's daughter Petronella married fellow actor Anthony Hopkins in 1967. Together they had a daughter, Abigail, who is now an actress and singer.

Carry On Cruising, although written by Norman Hudis, came from a story by Eric Barker.

What happened to him?: Eric died aged 78 on 1 June 1990. His wife, the actress Pearl Hackney, survived him and lived on until she passed away in September 2009 at the age of 92.

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