Carry On Originals: Norman Rossington

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?

We're continuing with an actor with the reputation as one of the nicest in the business, Norman Rossington.

Role in Carry On Sergeant: Herbert Brown

Other Carry On roles: Norman returned to Carry On for the role of Norm in Carry On Nurse, later in 1958. He also made a cameo appearance in Carry On Regardless in 1960 as the boxing referee. Over ten years later he played a supporting role in the 1972 Carry On Christmas television special, taking on roles originally written for the absent Charles Hawtrey.

Other notable film performances: Norman had roles in a number of well-remembered films including a Soldier in Saint Joan (1957); James Kieran in A Night To Remember (1958); Bert in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960); Alfie in Go To Blazes (1962); Private Clough in The Longest Day (also 1962); Dewsnap in Young Winston (1972) and Gaffer Andrews in Joseph Andrews (1977). 

Best Remembered for: Playing Private "Cupcake" Cook in the Granada Television sitcom, The Army Game for three series. Norman also reprised his role as Cook for the big screen version, I Only Arsked, which starred Bernard Bresslaw.

Did you know?: Norman is the only actor to have appeared in films with both The Beatles and Elvis Presley. He worked on A Hard Day's Night with the Fab Four and also the Elvis film Double Trouble.

What happened to him?: Norman died in May 1999 after a six month battle with cancer. Just the year before he had returned to the world of Carry On one last time when he took part in the ITV 40th anniversary documentary, What's A Carry On?

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