Phil McCall

{{Short description|Scottish actor (1925–2002)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Phil McCall

| birth_name =

| image =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|11|26|df=y}}

| birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland

| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|01|29|1925|11|26|df=y}}

| death_place = Glasgow, Scotland

| nationality = Scottish

| spouse =

| occupation = Stage, film and TV actor

}}

Phil McCall (born Philip McColl; 26 November 1925 – 29 January 2002) was a Glaswegian actor who appeared in numerous plays, films and television productions over a 40-year period.

Early life and education

McCall's father was a labourer. He attended St Mungo's Academy in Glasgow and trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.{{cite web|url=http://www.rsamd.ac.uk/undergraduate/acting/alumni.html|title=RSAMD Alumni|accessdate=2009-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080903020347/http://www.rsamd.ac.uk/undergraduate/acting/alumni.html|archive-date=3 September 2008|url-status=dead}} He then appeared in repertory theatre in Scotland and England.

Acting career

McCall had significant film roles in Ring of Bright Water (1969) and Lars von Trier's Breaking the Waves (1996).{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba00d0a6a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506102715/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba00d0a6a|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 May 2017|title=Phil McCall|website=BFI}} His television appearances included Dr. Finlay's Casebook, Bottle Boys, Monarch of the Glen, and Coronation Street.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=112899|title=Phil McCall|website=www.aveleyman.com}} In addition to his role in films and television, McCall was the centrepoint in Knorr's stock cube advertising campaign in the 1980s, which included the famous catchphrase "Pea and ham soup from a chicken, now that's clever".{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/actor-phil-mccall-found-hanged-at-his-home-1.160435|title=Actor Phil McCall found hanged at his home|date=30 January 2002|newspaper=The Herald|accessdate=2009-11-06}}

He appeared twice in episodes of the television series Minder, playing safe-breaker/sneak thief 'Scotch Harry'.{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7af0bc77|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706130047/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7af0bc77|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 July 2018|title=The Smaller They Are... (1979)|website=BFI}}{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b744bfcae|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130145622/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b744bfcae|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 November 2018|title=Return of the Invincible Man (1985)|website=BFI}}

He was the chairman of the Scottish committee of the actors' union Equity for 17 years.

Theatre

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Role

! Company

! Director

! Notes

1982Ane Satyre of the Thrie EstaitesPoor ManScottish Theatre CompanyTom Flemingplay by Sir David Lyndsay, adapted by Robert Kemp
1987The HypochondriakArganRoyal Lyceum Theatre Company, EdinburghJohn Matthews and Gerry MulgrewHector MacMillan's Scots translation of Molière's Le Malade imaginaire
1990The ShipRabThe Ship's Company, GovanBill Brydenplay by Bill Bryden staged at Harland and Wolff, Govan

Death

McCall was married for 44 years to Katherine McCall, a television and theatre director. Their son also entered the entertainment industry, first as a child actor, then later became involved in the behind-the scenes theatre work. His wife found him hanged at their home in Glasgow on 29 January 2002.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/jan/30/broadcasting|title=BBC actor found hanged |date=30 January 2002|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=2009-11-06}}

References