Jonathan Linsley (born 17 January 1956) is a British actor, best known for his role as 'Crusher' Milburn in the popular TV series Last of the Summer Wine. Linsley started his acting career in the 1980s; besides Last of the Summer Wine, he has appeared in various films and TV shows, including Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.
Early life Linsley's father was from Ramsgate, Kent and his mother from Cockfield, County Durham; they met during the Second World War when his father was stationed with the tank regiment at Barnard Castle. Linsley was born at Bradford, and raised at Halesowen, near Birmingham, from the age of three, when his father's work dictated relocation, then at Tamworth, Staffordshire. When his father retired from industry, he bought a shop in the town of Skipton, North Yorkshire. Here Linsley attended Ermysted's Grammar School, during which time he joined the National Youth Theatre, then, despite an interest in working as an actor (encouraged by Only Fools and Horses actor Kenneth MacDonald, who directed Linsley in a play), he was persuaded by his parents to attend university; he initially read English and American Studies at the University of Warwick, but changed courses after the first year, to Theatre Studies. He was then awarded one of two available bursaries, enabling him to undertake a one-year post-graduate course at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After completing his studies he entered repertory theatre at Ipswich, before getting his first television work in advertisements. He won the role of "Crusher" Milburn in the 1985 Last of the Summer Wine stage play, which went on a short commercial tour including the Beck Theatre at Hayes, Hillingdon, Cardiff, and Eastbourne.
Personal life He was born on 17 January 1956 in Yorkshire, England. Outside of acting, Linsley enjoys travelling and has worked in theatre productions across the UK. He leads a relatively low-key personal life.
Television In 1984, Linsley played a chef in a sitcom called The Hello Good-bye Man on BBC with Ian Lavender; the show lasted for only one series. Shortly after this, he took the role of large and strong, but dim-witted, "Crusher" Milburn in Last of the Summer Wine. He appeared in this role until 1987 when he elected to go on a diet and was written out of the series. In 1989, Linsley starred as Chunky Livesey in the second and final series of the spin-off prequel First of the Summer Wine, to replace Anthony Keetch who starred as the character in the first series in 1988.
Linsley also appeared as a character in the TV shows Emmerdale (Albert Mistlethwaite), Casualty (DC Newby), The Bill (Dennis Weaver) and The Governor (Bert Threlfall) and as a leading guest actor in many other TV shows and made-for-TV films. He has also made over 50 TV commercials.
Theatre His West End career includes the comedy Up'n'Under, Roald Dahl's Matilda, Its Ralph and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He appeared in rep in many cities around Britain, and wrote for and appeared in pantomimes with various other actors.
Selected filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1988 Just Ask for Diamond Bouncer 1989 The Phantom of the Opera Workman 1999 Dead Bolt Dead The Hit Man 2002 The Great Dome Robbery James Hurley 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Ogilvey (Dutchman) 2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End National Treasure: Book of Secrets Buckingham Palace Guard Uncredited 2011 Patient 17 Gilbert 2016 The National Union of Space People Antique Dealer
Television Year Title Role Notes 1984 The Hello Goobye Man The Chef 1 episode 1984-1987 Last of the Summer Wine Crusher Milburn 20 episodes1986Dempsey and MakepeaceButch2 episodesEmmerdaleAlbert4 episodes1987CasualtyPolicemanEpisode: "Lifelines" 1989 First of the Summer Wine Chunky Livesey Episode: "Ain't Love Dangerous"1994The BillJack BiloliEpisode: "Saving Face"1995HeartbeatBilly BlackEpisode: "It's All in the Game"1995-1996The GovernorBurt Threlfall6 episodes1996The BillBob RyanEpisode: "Road to Recovery"The Ruth Rendell MysteriesCarl HellerEpisode: "The Secret House of Death" (2 parts)1999Peak PracticeBenEpisode: "Wood for the Trees"2000The BillDes O'BryanEpisode: "Trusting the Enemy"Credited as Jonathon Linsley.2001The Gentleman ThiefEast-End BruteTV MovieSilent WitnessBarmanEpisode: "Two Below Zero" (2 parts)2002CasualtyDC Newby2 episodes2002-2004The BillDennis Weaver12 episodes2003Eastenders: Perfectly FrankSteve JacksonTV Movie 2005 Dalziel and Pascoe Clive Jacobs Episode: "The Dig" (2 parts)Ultimate ForceEricEpisode: "Deadlier Than the Male"2011MarchlandsPolice Sergeant3 episodes
References
External links New York Times listing
Jonathan Linsley