Jimmy Logan (1928-2001) was born as James Allen Short to the Scottish variety artists Jack Short and May Dalziel on 4 April 1928. Their "act", with all five children, was known professionally as "The Logan Family". Breaking away, Jimmy Logan developed into an accomplished musician, comedian, legitimate actor and impresario.
His varied career included more than thirty pantomimes, the radio show It's All Yours, the sophisticated Five Past Eight Show at The Alhambra, and an acclaimed film debut in Floodtide. At his peak Logan adopted a luxurious lifestyle with an apartment in Culzean Castle and a Rolls Royce. In 1964 he purchased the New Metropole Theatre and attempted to establish a theatre for family plays and shows. Initially successful, this failed financially and his career took a downward turn.
Characteristically resilient, Logan devised a one-man show based on the life of Harry Lauder which re-established him. His extensive collection of Lauder memorabilia was gifted to the Scottish Theatre Archive. He enjoyed critical praise as a straight actor playing in The Entertainer, Uncle Vanya, Death of a Salesman, The Celtic Story and The Ship.
Logan died of cancer on 13 April 2001. After a funeral service in Glasgow Cathedral, he was cremated at Clydebank. During his lifetime he was known for his charitable works. Admired and respected by his colleagues, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and awarded the OBE in 1996. His first three marriages were dissolved. He is survived by his fourth wife, Angela.