John Louis Mansi (born John Patrick Adams; 8 November 1926 – 6 August 2010) was a British television and film actor whose career spanned the years from the early 1950s to the early 1990s.
Born in London to an Italian father and an Irish mother, he served in the merchant navy and the RAF during World War II. Upon becoming an actor, he chose his father's surname as his stage name, later adopting the name Louis after Louie Dumbrowski, the character played by Bernard Gorcey in The Bowery Boys film series, whom his friends claimed he resembled.
He was best known for his role as Engelbert von Smallhausen (although in the BBC books he is named as Bobby Cedric von Smallhausen) in the popular BBC sitcom 'Allo 'Allo! in series 2 to 9. He also appeared in Department S (as "Maxime" in the episode "The Treasure of the Costa del Sol", 1969), the Ripping Yarns story "Across the Andes by Frog", and the Hammer House of Horror story "The Thirteenth Reunion". His film appearances have included The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963), the Beatles' film Help! (1965), the original version of The Italian Job (1969), Tales from the Crypt (1972), and the Dick Emery film Ooh... You Are Awful (1972).
After 'Allo 'Allo! ended in 1992, he retired from acting. He was often credited as Louis Mansi in his roles. For six years he suffered from Parkinson's disease and in May 2010 was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. His interests included reading, letter writing, animal welfare and watching DVDs/videos of past favourite series/films.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1952 Secret People Member of Paris Committee 1952 Hammer the Toff The Italian Uncredited1963 The Small World of Sammy Lee Lou's assistant Uncredited1963 Heavens Above! Man Buying Groceries Uncredited1965 Joey Boy Tony Uncredited1965 Help! Priest / Thug Uncredited1967 Just like a Woman 1969 The Italian Job Computer Room Official 1972 Tales from the Crypt 2nd Blind Man (segment 5 "Blind Alleys"), Uncredited1972 Ooh... You Are Awful Mancini 1977 Ripping Yarns 1st native Episode: "Across the Andes by Frog"1988 Hard Road Kelly's Father 1989 Play Me Something Birdwatcher
References
External links
Obituary in The Independent