James Marcus (born Brian Terence James, 23 June 1942 – 4 May 2020) was a British actor. He is best known for his performance as Georgie, one of the droogs in Stanley Kubrick's controversial film A Clockwork Orange (1971).
Life and career Marcus was born as Brian Terence James in Romford, Essex on 23 June 1942. Before becoming an apprentice printer, he spent the majority of his teenage life performing gigs. After studying acting courses at the 15 Drama School in London, he had several roles in plays based on the works of William Shakespeare. His first appearance on TV was the BBC show Hello, Good Evening and Welcome (1968). He also landed a role in the 1969 war comedy The Virgin Soldiers.
In 1970, Kubrick got in touch with the young actor for an audition for his upcoming project, an adaptation of Anthony Burgess's novel A Clockwork Orange. Apart from his fight scenes, Kubrick was also impressed by James's dark demeanour and this won him the role. During filming, Kubrick described James as "very professional".
His other television appearances include UFO, Softly, Softly: Task Force, The Sweeney, Doctor Who, Z-Cars and The Professionals. He also appeared in the Robin Askwith vehicle Let's Get Laid (1977) with John Clive, another Clockwork Orange actor. He also appeared in The Naked Civil Servant (1975) with John Hurt, and McVicar (1980) with Roger Daltrey. Marcus also appeared in the Thames Television comedy-drama Minder episode "It's a Sorry Lorry Morrie" (1989) in the role of a hard man named Morrie, and in the nostalgic Yorkshire Television series Heartbeat as Clive Loxton, a private investigator, in the episode "Blood Sports" (1995).
One of his other memorable roles is that of station officer Sidney Tate in the pilot and series 1–3 of the popular LWT fire fighting drama London's Burning. He also directed the nihilistic Tank Malling (1989), which featured Ray Winstone.
In August 2024, acting union Equity announced that Marcus had died. It transpired that Marcus had died four years prior, on 4 May 2020, at the age of 77.
List of credits
Television Year Title Role Other notes 1969 The Doctors Postman 1 episode 1970 The Borderers Stallholder Manhunt Private Special Branch L.A.C. Higgs 1971 UFO SHADO Operative Softly Softly: Task Force Jeff 1974 Doctor at Sea Eddie The Chinese Puzzle Johnson 6 episodes Doctor Who: Invasion of the Dinosaurs Peasant 1 episode 1975 The Sweeney Myles 1978 Doctor Who: Underworld Rask 1979-1984GrandadBert Bamford 1980–1989 Minder Bertie/Phil/Morrie 3 episodes 1981 The Chinese Detective Charlie 2 episodes 1986 C.A.T.S Eyes 2nd Observer 1 episode Casualty Bill 1986–1990 London's Burning Sidney Tate 22 episodes 1991 Dodgem Tucker 3 episodes 1992–1995 Woof! Sgt Caldwell 5 episodes 1993 You Bet! Himself/Sidney Tate 1995 Heartbeat Clive Loxton 1 episode2001 EastEnders Sid
Film Year Title Role Other notes 1969 The Virgin Soldiers Uncredited 1971 A Clockwork Orange Georgie 1975 The Naked Civil Servant Clerkenwell Tough 1976 Escape from the Dark 1978 Let's Get Laid Rusper 1980 McVicar Det Sgt Sewell 1980 Never Never Land P.C. Stubbs
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