Archie Duncan (26 May 1914 – 24 July 1979) was a Scottish actor.
He was born in Glasgow. Duncan's father was a regimental sergeant major in the army and his mother was a postmistress. He attended Glasgow's Govan High School and worked as a welder in Glasgow shipyards for a decade.
He began his career in repertory theatre and West End plays. His professional acting debut was in Juno and the Paycock in May 1944 at the Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow.
Although he appeared in over 50 television series and movie roles, he is best remembered for Inspector Lestrade in the 1954 series Sherlock Holmes and Little John in The Adventures of Robin Hood from 1955 to 1959.
Duncan was replaced in the Little John role by Rufus Cruikshank for 10 episodes after Duncan was injured when a horse bolted toward spectators, mostly children, watching the location filming of the episode "Checkmate" on 20 April 1955. He grabbed the bridle, stopping the horse, but the cart it was pulling ran over him causing a fractured kneecap and cuts and bruises. He received the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct and £1,360 in damages from Sapphire films.
He also played the ditch digger in the 1969 film Ring of Bright Water who dispatched the star otter Mij with his spade, towards the end.
On 24 July 1979, aged 65, Duncan died at his London home.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1948 Counterblast Dr. McKegney Uncredited1949 Operation Diamond McPherson 1949 Floodtide Charlie Campbell 1949 The Bad Lord Byron John Murray 1950 The Gorbals Story Bull 1950 The Elusive Pimpernel Man in bath 1951 Happy Go Lovely Police Inspector Uncredited1951 Flesh and Blood Sergeant 1951 Circle of Danger Angus Uncredited1951 The Lavender Hill Mob Chief Cashier Uncredited1951 Green Grow the Rushes Constable Pettigrew 1952 The Last Page Police Constable Uncredited1952 The Story of Robin Hood Red Gill 1952 Home at Seven Station Sergeant Uncredited1952 Castle in the Air Constable 1952 You're Only Young Twice 1952 The Brave Don't Cry Walter Hardie 1952 Hot Ice Wilson 1953 Street Corner Chief Inspector Uncredited1953 Laxdale Hall Police Sergeant 1953 Johnny on the Run The Crofter 1953 Twice Upon a Time Doorman 1953 Counterspy Jim Fenton 1953 The Master of Ballantrae Messenger Uncredited1953 Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue Dugal MacGregor 1954 Trouble in the Glen Nolly Dukes 1956 X the Unknown Sgt. Yeardye Uncredited1957 The Devil's Pass George Jolly 1957 Saint Joan Robert de Baudricourt 1958 Harry Black Woolsey 1959 John Paul Jones Duncan MacBean 1960 The Boy and the Pirates Scoggins 1960 ‘’Black Saddle ‘’1960 Tess of the Storm Country Hamish MacLean 1961 Very Important Person Scottish Captain Uncredited1961 What a Whopper Macdonald 1962 Postman's Knock Inspector 1963 The Mouse on the Moon USAF General 1963 Lancelot and Guinevere Sir Lamorak 1964 The Horror of It All Muldoon Marley 1967 The Man Outside Supt. Barnes 1969 Ring of Bright Water Roadmender 1975 The Wilby Conspiracy Gordon (final film role)
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