Govan-born actor and comedian Johnny Beattie.
Beattie worked at the Fairfield Shipyard before appearing in variety shows in the early 1950s and becoming a popular comedian and all-round entertainer. Famously, he returned from playing the Waldorf Astoria in New York in 1959 to appear at the Miners' Club in Cowdenbeath. He became a well-known on television as a quiz show host (Now You See It) and as a character actor in series such as Taggart and dramas such as The Big Man.
At the beginning of the 21st century Beattie has made a new career for himself as a soap opera star, playing Malcolm Hamilton in BBC Scotland's River City. However, he continues to perform as a comedian and in 2004 he is President of the Scottish Music Hall Society.
Reference: STA PH 516
Glasgow University Library, Special Collections
Keywords:
actors, Big Man, comedians, Fairfield Shipyard, quiz shows, River City, Scottish Music Hall Society, shipyard workers, soap operas, Taggart