Howard Lew Lewis (21 August 1941 – 20 January 2018) (born Howard R. Lewis) was an English comedian and actor, best known for his roles in comedy series including Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, Brush Strokes and Chelmsford 123.
Biography Lewis was born in London, England. His parents were both born in south Wales (Tenby and Bridgend). As a young man, Lewis flat-shared with Ken Morley (Reg Holdsworth of Coronation Street) and Andy Carr, actor and screenwriter. His first job was with the Royal Air Force, where he was a computer operator. He worked for several years in computing and telecommunications, but when promoted to manager-level he decided instead to pursue acting as a career after being asked to fire a colleague whom he believed to be a good worker. He was married twice. His first marriage lasted just over a year. His second marriage was to Anna Goodall. They married in 1990 with Ken Morley as best man.
Television One of his more notable roles was as Rabies, one of the Merry Men in the BBC children's television comedy series Maid Marian and Her Merry Men where he appeared in all 26 episodes. He also had a prominent part as the dim barman Elmo Putney in the BBC sitcom Brush Strokes between 1986-91.
Lewis also featured in "Now You See Them", a 1988 episode of the ITV anthology drama series Dramarama.
He appeared in two other prominent historical comedy series - as Blag in the Channel 4 sitcom Chelmsford 123 (1988) set during the Roman occupation of Britain in AD 123, and as assorted medieval peasants, (including Piers and Mr Applebottom) in The Black Adder (1983) and he had minor parts in two Ronnie Barker sitcoms - The Magnificent Evans (1984) and Open All Hours (1985) - and the ITV comedy-drama Minder (1984). +YearTitleRoleNotes1978Pennies From HeavenPoliceman1 episode1983Reilly, Ace of SpiesRowhedge1 episodeThe Black AdderMr. Applebottom, Piers2 episodesWidowsBinman (uncredited)1 episode1984MinderRonnie1 episodeThe Magnificent EvansBridgegroom1 episode1985C.A.T.S. EyesStallholder1 episodeOpen All HoursByron1 episode1986ProspectsBarman1 episodeMr PyeMr. Rice4 episodesThe BillGeorge Harris1 episode1986-91Brush StrokesElmo Putney38 episodes1987PulaskiProps Man1 episodeThe CharmerGardener1 episodeThe Corner HouseMr. Cobham1 episode1988DramaramaMan in Audience1 episode1988-90Chelmsford 123Blag13 episodes1989-94Maid Marian and Her Merry MenRabies26 episodes1996Harry's MadGaston4 episodes2000The BillLandlord1 episodeThe Queen's NoseCafe Owner1 episode2003CasualtyLee Stanton1 episodeKeen EddieUncle Leon1 episode2007Coming UpTom1 episodeMy FamilyUncle Idris1 episode
Films Lewis appeared in several films, again mostly in minor roles. Notable film appearances included Terry Gilliam's 1985 film Brazil, where he played one of the Black Maria guards, and as one of Robin Hood's followers in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, playing a character named Hal.
He also appeared in the 1992 Oscar-nominated semi-biographical film Chaplin, and was the English language voice of Obelix in the 1994 film of Asterix in America to Craig Charles' Asterix. In 2005, he played the part of Lillas Pastia, the innkeeper, in Bizet's Carmen at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and in 2007, played alongside Warwick Davis in the film Small Town Folk.
Year Title Role Notes1980 The Mouse and the Woman Doctor 1983 Fords on Water Man in Toilets 1985 Brazil Second Black Maria Guard 1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Hal 1992 Chaplin Workhouse Official #1 1993 Shadowlands Tea Room Waiter 1994 Asterix Conquers America Obelix English version, Voice1998 The Tichborne Claimant The Hotel Manager 2000 Quills First Vendor 2001 Girl from Rio Taxi Driver 2 2003 Chaos and Cadavers Cabbie 2004 The Baby Juice Express Kent 2007 Small Town Folk Knackerman #1
Death In an interview with the Scottish Mail on Sunday in late 2017, Lewis confirmed he had been diagnosed with dementia. His fellow actor and friend Tony Robinson announced on Twitter on 22 January 2018 that Lewis had died on 20 January 2018.
On 28 January 2018, it was reported that police in Edinburgh were investigating the circumstances surrounding the actor's death after his step-daughter Debora Milazzo claimed he had been placed on a regime of high-dose sedatives and maximum-strength opiate painkillers, and had been needlessly placed on the kind of treatment plan that would be prescribed for the terminal phase of a malignant disease, explaining that her stepfather had not received a terminal diagnosis. Police Scotland confirmed it was investigating the complaint, but later determined that Lewis's death was from natural causes.
References