Christopher Strauli (born 13 April 1946) is an English film, television and theatre actor. He is known for appearing as Norman Binns in the British Yorkshire Television sitcom Only When I Laugh.
Early life and education Strauli was born in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. He was educated at Felixstowe Grammar School in Felixstowe, Suffolk. After teacher-training college he gave up a career as a mathematics and science teacher to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Career Following his education, he spent some years at the Bristol Old Vic, before earning some minor and supporting television roles.
Since 1969, Strauli has appeared in at least two films and over twenty-five television productions. In 1973 he appeared in On We Go, a series of 15 minutes episodes conceived to learn English.
Strauli played Bunny Manders, the assistant to A.J. Raffles, the gentleman thief in the Yorkshire Television series Raffles (1975–1977). He later appeared as feeble hospital patient Norman Binns in the ITV sitcom Only When I Laugh, occupying a bed in a ward next to characters played by James Bolam and Peter Bowles and attended by doctor Richard Wilson. Strauli was then recruited by the show's writer, Eric Chappell, to replace Richard Beckinsale in the film version of Rising Damp (another of Chappell's shows) as a new character, John, an art student.
He appeared as Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (1978), Claudio in Measure for Measure (1979) as part of The BBC Television Shakespeare and he also appeared in the last episode of the period drama series Strangers and Brothers (1984).
He played a leading character, Paul Hatfield, in ITV 1985-86 sitcom Full House (known as Mixed Doubles in the United States) (1985) and also featured in some of Victoria Wood's sketch shows. In recent years he has concentrated predominantly on theatre work.
He appeared in the TV movie S.O.S. Titanic (1979) as wireless operator Harold Cottam, and in 3 episodes of the 1987 television serial of Fortunes of War playing Toby Lush. He played Nigel Smith in 1 episode of: Bergerac: "Tangos in the Night" the same year.
Strauli also appeared in Doctors as Paul Woodford in "God's Gift"(2000), Down to Earth as Mr. Bell in 'The Great Escape'(2000), and Waking the Dead, playing Duncan Sanderson MP, in Parts 1 and 2 of "False Flag" (2004).
Filmography + Year Title Role Notes1972Harriet's Back in TownChris Pearson14 episodes1975-1977RafflesBunny Manders14 episodes1977Eustace and Hilda Eustace2 episodes1978-1979BBC Television ShakespeareBenvolio/Claudio2 episodes, Romeo and Juliet, Measure for Measure1979-1982Only When I LaughNorman Binns29 episodes1985-1986Full HousePaul Hatfield20 episode1987Fortunes of WarToby Lush3 episodes
References
External links strauli.co.uk, Strauli's official website strauli.blogspot.com, Strauli's blog