Portrait of Frank Thornton

Frank Thornton

Bio: Frank Thornton Ball (15 January 1921 - 16 March 2013), professionally known as Frank Thornton, was an English actor. He was known for playing Captain Peacock in Are You Being Served? (1972-1985) and its sequel Grace & Favour and as Herbert "Truly" Truelove in Last of the Summer Wine
Born: Sat, Jan 15 1921
Birthplace: Dulwich, London, England, UK

Death: Sat, Mar 16 2013
Frank Thornton is 92 years old
External Links
IMDb logo
Sort by Popularity
Scroll to TV Credits
Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Are You Being Served? Secrets & Scandals
Are You Being Served? Secrets & Scandals
Frank Thornton would have been no older than
92 in Are You Being Served? Secrets & Scandals
as 'Archive Footage'.
Sat, May 28 2022
Poster of Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
Frank Thornton would have been no older than
92 in Last Of The Summer Wine: 30 Years Of Laughs
as 'Self (archive)'.
Sat, Mar 05 2022
Poster of We Love Are You Being Served?
We Love Are You Being Served?
Frank Thornton would have been no older than
92 in We Love Are You Being Served?
Fri, Aug 28 2020
Poster of Run For Your Wife
Run For Your Wife
Frank Thornton was
91 in Run For Your Wife
as 'Man on Bus'.
Wed, May 16 2012
Poster of The Making of 'Gosford Park'
The Making of 'Gosford Park'
Frank Thornton was
81 in The Making of 'Gosford Park'
as 'Self (uncredited)'.
Tue, Jun 18 2002
Poster of Gosford Park
Gosford Park
Frank Thornton was
80 in Gosford Park
as 'Mr. Burkett'.
Wed, Nov 07 2001
Poster of Wendy Richard: A Life on the Box
Wendy Richard: A Life on the Box
Frank Thornton was
80 in Wendy Richard: A Life on the Box
Tue, Jun 12 2001
Poster of The Old Curiosity Shop
The Old Curiosity Shop
Frank Thornton was
74 in The Old Curiosity Shop
Sun, Mar 19 1995
Poster of The BFG
The BFG
Frank Thornton was
68 in The BFG
as 'Mr. Tibbs (voice)'.
Mon, Dec 25 1989
Poster of The Taming of the Shrew
The Taming of the Shrew
Frank Thornton was
59 in The Taming of the Shrew
as 'Gremio'.
Thu, Oct 23 1980
Poster of Red, White, and Zero
Red, White, and Zero
Frank Thornton was
58 in Red, White, and Zero
Fri, Dec 21 1979
Poster of Ride of the Valkyrie
Ride of the Valkyrie
Frank Thornton was
56 in Ride of the Valkyrie
Sat, Oct 29 1977
Poster of Are You Being Served? The Movie
Are You Being Served? The Movie
Frank Thornton was
56 in Are You Being Served? The Movie
as 'Captain Stephen Peacock'.
Fri, Jun 10 1977
Poster of Spanish Fly
Spanish Fly
Frank Thornton was
55 in Spanish Fly
as 'Dr. Johnson'.
Sun, Feb 01 1976
Poster of Side by Side
Side by Side
Frank Thornton was
54 in Side by Side
Wed, Apr 30 1975
Poster of Keep It Up, Jack!
Keep It Up, Jack!
Frank Thornton was
53 in Keep It Up, Jack!
as 'Mr. Clarke'.
Thu, Jun 27 1974
Poster of The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers
Frank Thornton was
52 in The Three Musketeers
as 'Man in Small Carriage (uncredited)'.
Tue, Dec 11 1973
Poster of Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
Frank Thornton was
52 in Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World
as 'Estate Agent'.
Sat, Dec 01 1973
Poster of That Sinking Feeling
That Sinking Feeling
Frank Thornton was
52 in That Sinking Feeling
as 'Arthur'.
Tue, Nov 13 1973
Poster of No Sex Please: We're British
No Sex Please: We're British
Frank Thornton was
52 in No Sex Please: We're British
as 'Glass Shop Manager'.
Wed, Jul 25 1973
Poster of Steptoe & Son Ride Again
Steptoe & Son Ride Again
Frank Thornton was
52 in Steptoe & Son Ride Again
as 'Mr. Russell'.
Tue, May 01 1973
Poster of Our Miss Fred
Our Miss Fred
Frank Thornton was
51 in Our Miss Fred
as 'British Colonel'.
Thu, Dec 14 1972
Poster of That's Your Funeral
That's Your Funeral
Frank Thornton was
51 in That's Your Funeral
as 'Town Clerk'.
Fri, Dec 01 1972
Poster of Bless This House
Bless This House
Frank Thornton was
51 in Bless This House
as 'Mr Jones'.
Fri, Sep 08 1972
Poster of The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
Frank Thornton was
49 in The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer
as 'Tom Stoddart'.
Thu, Nov 12 1970
Poster of The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
Frank Thornton was
49 in The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes
as 'Porter'.
Thu, Oct 29 1970
Poster of All the Way Up
All the Way Up
Frank Thornton was
49 in All the Way Up
as 'Mr Driver'.
Mon, Jun 01 1970
Poster of Some Will, Some Won't
Some Will, Some Won't
Frank Thornton was
49 in Some Will, Some Won't
as 'Purvis'.
Wed, Apr 01 1970
Poster of The Magic Christian
The Magic Christian
Frank Thornton was
48 in The Magic Christian
as 'Police Inspector'.
Fri, Dec 12 1969
Poster of The Bed Sitting Room
The Bed Sitting Room
Frank Thornton was
48 in The Bed Sitting Room
as 'The BBC'.
Sun, Jun 01 1969
Poster of Crooks and Coronets
Crooks and Coronets
Frank Thornton was
48 in Crooks and Coronets
as 'Cyril'.
Wed, Apr 02 1969
Poster of The Assassination Bureau
The Assassination Bureau
Frank Thornton was
48 in The Assassination Bureau
as 'Elevator victim (uncredited)'.
Sun, Mar 09 1969
Poster of Till Death Us Do Part
Till Death Us Do Part
Frank Thornton was
47 in Till Death Us Do Part
as 'Valuation Officer'.
Wed, Jan 01 1969
Poster of A Flea in Her Ear
A Flea in Her Ear
Frank Thornton was
47 in A Flea in Her Ear
as 'Charles, the Butler'.
Wed, Nov 27 1968
Poster of The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
Frank Thornton was
47 in The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom
as 'Factory Manager'.
Wed, Sep 11 1968
Poster of If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them
If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them
Frank Thornton was
47 in If There Weren't Any Blacks You'd Have to Invent Them
Sat, Aug 03 1968
Poster of 30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia!
30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia!
Frank Thornton was
47 in 30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia!
as 'Registrar'.
Mon, Mar 04 1968
Poster of Lucy in London
Lucy in London
Frank Thornton was
45 in Lucy in London
as 'Passport Officer'.
Mon, Oct 24 1966
Poster of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Frank Thornton was
45 in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
as 'Slave Driver'.
Sun, Oct 16 1966
Poster of Carry On Screaming!
Carry On Screaming!
Frank Thornton was
45 in Carry On Screaming!
as 'Mr. Jones'.
Fri, May 20 1966
Poster of Dannicaforilithermidor
Dannicaforilithermidor
Frank Thornton was
44 in Dannicaforilithermidor
as 'Sergeant Bull'.
Sat, Jan 01 1966
Poster of Danny the Dragon
Danny the Dragon
Frank Thornton was
44 in Danny the Dragon
Sat, Jan 01 1966
Poster of The Wild Affair
The Wild Affair
Frank Thornton was
44 in The Wild Affair
as 'Wine Shop Manager'.
Sun, Dec 05 1965
Poster of The Early Bird
The Early Bird
Frank Thornton was
44 in The Early Bird
as 'Drunken Doctor'.
Tue, Nov 30 1965
Poster of Gonks Go Beat
Gonks Go Beat
Frank Thornton was
44 in Gonks Go Beat
as 'Mr. A&R'.
Mon, May 24 1965
Poster of The Big Job
The Big Job
Frank Thornton was
43 in The Big Job
as 'Bank Official'.
Fri, Jan 01 1965
Poster of The Tomb of Ligeia
The Tomb of Ligeia
Frank Thornton was
43 in The Tomb of Ligeia
as 'Peperel'.
Sun, Nov 29 1964
Poster of The Comedy Man
The Comedy Man
Frank Thornton was
43 in The Comedy Man
as 'Producer'.
Thu, Sep 03 1964
Poster of It's Trad, Dad!
It's Trad, Dad!
Frank Thornton was
41 in It's Trad, Dad!
as 'TV Director'.
Fri, Mar 30 1962
Poster of Doomsday at Eleven
Doomsday at Eleven
Frank Thornton was
40 in Doomsday at Eleven
as 'BBC Announcer'.
Mon, Jan 01 1962
Poster of Victim
Victim
Frank Thornton was
40 in Victim
as 'George - Henry's Assistant (uncredited)'.
Tue, Aug 01 1961
Poster of The Impersonator
The Impersonator
Frank Thornton was
40 in The Impersonator
as 'Police Sargeant'.
Mon, May 01 1961
Poster of Cloak Without Dagger
Cloak Without Dagger
Frank Thornton was
35 in Cloak Without Dagger
as 'Mr. Markley'.
Thu, May 31 1956
Poster of Johnny, You're Wanted
Johnny, You're Wanted
Frank Thornton was
35 in Johnny, You're Wanted
as 'Police Inspector'.
Fri, Jan 20 1956
Poster of Portrait of Alison
Portrait of Alison
Frank Thornton was
34 in Portrait of Alison
as 'Police Photographer'.
Tue, Nov 29 1955
Poster of The Silent Witness
The Silent Witness
Frank Thornton was
33 in The Silent Witness
as 'The Barman (uncredited)'.
Fri, Oct 01 1954
Poster of Radio Cab Murder
Radio Cab Murder
Frank Thornton was
33 in Radio Cab Murder
as 'Inspector Finch'.
Fri, Oct 01 1954
Poster of The Florentine Dagger
The Florentine Dagger
Frank Thornton was
14 in The Florentine Dagger
as '(uncredited)'.
Sat, Mar 30 1935
Poster of Cracked Nuts
Cracked Nuts
Frank Thornton was
10 in Cracked Nuts
as 'Revolutionary'.
Sat, Apr 18 1931

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Richard & Judy
Richard & Judy
Frank Thornton was
80+ in Richard & Judy
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Mon, Nov 26 2001
Poster of Grace & Favour
Grace & Favour
Frank Thornton was
70+ in Grace & Favour
as 'Capt Stephen Peacock RASC (Ex)'.
First Air Date
Fri, Jan 10 1992
Poster of Pebble Mill
Pebble Mill
Frank Thornton was
70+ in Pebble Mill
as 'Self'.
First Air Date
Mon, Oct 14 1991
Poster of Casualty
Casualty
Frank Thornton was
65+ in Casualty
as 'Edward Gutheridge'.
First Air Date
Sat, Sep 06 1986
Poster of The Kenny Everett Television Show
The Kenny Everett Television Show
Frank Thornton was
61+ in The Kenny Everett Television Show
as 'Various, Guest'.
First Air Date
Thu, Feb 25 1982
Poster of The Gentle Touch
The Gentle Touch
Frank Thornton was
59+ in The Gentle Touch
as 'Leo'.
First Air Date
Fri, Apr 11 1980
Poster of Blankety Blank
Blankety Blank
Frank Thornton was
58+ in Blankety Blank
First Air Date
Thu, Jan 18 1979
Poster of The BBC Television Shakespeare
The BBC Television Shakespeare
Frank Thornton was
57+ in The BBC Television Shakespeare
First Air Date
Sun, Dec 03 1978
Poster of The New Avengers
The New Avengers
Frank Thornton was
55+ in The New Avengers
as 'Roland'.
First Air Date
Fri, Oct 22 1976
Poster of Fall of Eagles
Fall of Eagles
Frank Thornton was
53+ in Fall of Eagles
as 'Prince Albert'.
First Air Date
Fri, Mar 15 1974
Poster of Last of the Summer Wine
Last of the Summer Wine
Frank Thornton was
51+ in Last of the Summer Wine
as 'Truly, Himself'.
First Air Date
Thu, Jan 04 1973
Poster of Crown Court
Crown Court
Frank Thornton was
51+ in Crown Court
as 'Professor McIver'.
First Air Date
Wed, Oct 11 1972
Poster of Sykes
Sykes
Frank Thornton was
51+ in Sykes
as 'Dr. Taplow'.
First Air Date
Thu, Sep 14 1972
Poster of Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served?
Frank Thornton was
51+ in Are You Being Served?
as 'Captain Peacock'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 08 1972
Poster of The Goodies
The Goodies
Frank Thornton was
49+ in The Goodies
as ', Waiter, Master of Ceremonies'.
First Air Date
Sun, Nov 08 1970
Poster of From a Bird's Eye View
From a Bird's Eye View
Frank Thornton was
49+ in From a Bird's Eye View
as 'Spinks'.
First Air Date
Fri, Sep 18 1970
Poster of The Champions
The Champions
Frank Thornton was
47+ in The Champions
as 'Clerk'.
First Air Date
Wed, Sep 25 1968
Poster of The World of Beachcomber
The World of Beachcomber
Frank Thornton was
47+ in The World of Beachcomber
First Air Date
Mon, Jan 22 1968
Poster of The Man In Room 17
The Man In Room 17
Frank Thornton was
44+ in The Man In Room 17
as 'Chief Inspector Bascombe'.
First Air Date
Fri, Jun 11 1965
Poster of HMS Paradise
HMS Paradise
Frank Thornton was
43+ in HMS Paradise
First Air Date
Thu, Jul 16 1964
Poster of It's a Square World
It's a Square World
Frank Thornton was
40+ in It's a Square World
First Air Date
Wed, Apr 26 1961
Poster of The Avengers
The Avengers
Frank Thornton was
39+ in The Avengers
First Air Date
Sat, Jan 07 1961
Poster of The Cheaters
The Cheaters
Frank Thornton was
39+ in The Cheaters
as 'Long'.
First Air Date
Sat, Dec 10 1960
Poster of Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Frank Thornton was
39+ in Coronation Street
as 'Danny Roach'.
First Air Date
Fri, Dec 09 1960
Poster of The Adventures of William Tell
The Adventures of William Tell
Frank Thornton was
37+ in The Adventures of William Tell
as 'Tax Collector, Heinburgher'.
First Air Date
Mon, Sep 15 1958
Poster of Hancock's Half Hour
Hancock's Half Hour
Frank Thornton was
35+ in Hancock's Half Hour
First Air Date
Fri, Jul 06 1956
Poster of Dixon of Dock Green
Dixon of Dock Green
Frank Thornton was
34+ in Dixon of Dock Green
as 'PC Cox'.
First Air Date
Sat, Jul 09 1955
Poster of The Sooty Show
The Sooty Show
Frank Thornton was
34+ in The Sooty Show
as 'Dr. Hugh, Mr Wolfe'.
First Air Date
Sun, Jan 16 1955