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Fulton Mackay
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William Fulton Beith Mackay (12 August 1922 – 6 June 1987) was a Scottish actor and playwright, best known for his role as prison officer Mr Mackay in the 1970s television sitcom Porridge.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Mackay was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. He was brought up in Clydebank by a widowed aunt after the death of his mother from diabetes. His father was employed by the NAAFI.[1]
On leaving school, Mackay trained as a quantity surveyor and later volunteered for the Royal Air Force in 1941, but was not accepted because of a perforated eardrum. He then enlisted with the Black Watch and he served for five years during the Second World War, which included three years spent in India.
Career
[edit]Theatre work
[edit]After being demobbed, Mackay began training as an actor at RADA. His first work was with the Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow, where he performed in nine seasons between 1949 and 1958. He also worked at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh before gaining notice at the Arts Theatre Club, London, where in 1960, he played the part of Oscar in The Naked Island, a play about POWs in Singapore.
In 1962, Mackay appeared at the same theatre, in Russian playwright Maxim Gorki's play The Lower Depths for the Royal Shakespeare Company. He then acted with the Old Vic company and the National Theatre, performing in such productions as Peer Gynt and The Alchemist. Other roles for the RSC included Mr Squeers in Nicholas Nickleby and the drunken gaoler in Die Fledermaus. In 1972, he played the part of Hughie in the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company's production of Bill Bryden's play, Willie Rough.
Mackay was a director of the Scottish Actors' Company and, in 1981, a founder of the Scottish Theatre Company, playing Willie Souden in the company's production of Bill Bryden's play, Civilians, set in wartime Greenock.[2]
Television work
[edit]Mackay was acknowledged as a strong character actor in various television series. He is best remembered for his namesake role from 1973 to 1977 as the comically ferocious prison officer, Mr Mackay, in the British sitcom Porridge, alongside Ronnie Barker.[3] He also appeared in the film version of the series. The ensemble playing of Mackay, Barker, Richard Beckinsale and Brian Wilde, and the writing by Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais, made Porridge one of the most successful comedy series of the 1970s.[4] He returned to the role of Mr Mackay, now nearing retirement from HM Prison Service, in the first episode of Going Straight (1978), the sequel series to Porridge.
Before coming to prominence in Porridge, Mackay made several appearances in The Avengers, one particular episode being Return of the Cybernauts in which he played Professor Chadwick; he also played Det. Supt., later Det. Chief Supt. Inman in Special Branch (1969–71).[5] His other work included Coronation Street and Z-Cars. He appeared as RAF psychiatrist Fowler in an episode of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and as a doctor in Doctor at Large in 1971.
Mackay played John Everett in The Saint (1968) "The Best Laid Schemes" and Willie, a poacher in The Saint (1966) - Episode (S5, E6) "The Convenient Monster". He was cast as misguided scientist Doctor John Quinn in the 1970 Doctor Who story Doctor Who and the Silurians and was later seriously considered by producer Barry Letts to play the Fourth Doctor when Jon Pertwee announced he was leaving the role in 1974.[6]
Mackay played a regular officer running a training course in the Dad's Army episode "We Know Our Onions" (1973), a doctor in "The Miser's Hoard" (1977), and a detective in a Wodehouse Playhouse episode (1978).[5]
Mackay often stayed true to his Scottish roots, acting in productions such as Play for Today's Three Tales of Orkney, in 1971, and The Master of Ballantrae, and as former Prime Minister Bonar Law in the 1981 TV series The Life and Times of David Lloyd George. He played the Captain in the British version of the Jim Henson children's series, Fraggle Rock (1984–1987). In one of his last performances, Mackay portrayed an art forger in the Lovejoy episode "Death and Venice".[5]
Film work
[edit]Despite his status, he appeared in few films. After his screen debut in the film I'm a Stranger (1952), his most notable roles were those in Gumshoe (1971), Porridge (1979), Britannia Hospital (1982), Local Hero (1983), and Defence of the Realm (1985). He also appeared in Laxdale Hall 1952.
Playwriting
[edit]Under the pseudonym of Aeneas MacBride, Mackay wrote plays for the BBC.[7] His Dalhousie's Luck, a drama set at the time of the siege of Aberdeen by the Marquess of Montrose in 1644, produced by Pharic Maclaren and with Brian Cox in the title role, was broadcast as part of the BBC2 Playhouse series on 3rd August 1980.[8]
Personal life
[edit]
Mackay was married to Irish actress Sheila Manahan.
In 1984, Mackay was awarded an OBE. He greatly enjoyed oil painting.[9]
Mackay died from stomach cancer on 6 June 1987, at the age of 64.[10][11] He was buried at East Sheen Cemetery in southwest London.[12] His widow, Sheila, died in 1988 and was buried with her husband.
Theatre
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Company | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaites | King Humanitie | The Glasgow Citizens' Theatre | Tyrone Guthrie, Moultrie Kelsall | play by Sir David Lyndsay, adapted by Robert Kemp |
| 1972 | Willie Rough | Hughie | Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh | Bill Bryden | play by Bill Bryden |
| 1981 | Civilians | Willie Souden | Scottish Theatre Company | Bill Bryden | play by Bill Bryden |
Partial filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Film | Year | Character |
|---|---|---|
| I'm a Stranger | 1952 | Alastair Campbell |
| The Brave Don't Cry | Dan Wishart | |
| Laxdale Hall | 1953 | Andrew Flett |
| Private Potter | 1962 | Soldier |
| A Prize of Arms | Corporal Henderson | |
| Mystery Submarine | 1963 | McKerrow |
| Vendetta for the Saint | 1969 | Euston |
| Gumshoe | 1971 | John Straker |
| Nothing But The Night | 1973 | Cameron |
| Porridge | 1979 | Mr Mackay |
| If You Go Down in the Woods Today | 1981 | Colonel Norris |
| Going Gently | Austin Miller | |
| Britannia Hospital | 1982 | Chief Superintendent Johns |
| Local Hero | 1983 | Ben Knox |
| Night Train to Murder | 1984 | Mackay |
| Sleepwalker | Restaurant Proprietor | |
| Water | 1985 | Reverend Eric |
| Defence of the Realm | Victor Kingsbrook | |
| Dreamchild | Gryphon (voice) |
TV
[edit]| Play | Year(s) | Character | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Finlay's Casebook | 1963-1969 | Various | 6 episodes |
| Z-Cars | 1964-1972 | 5 episodes | |
| The Saint | 1966-1969 | 3 episodes | |
| The Avengers | 1967-1969 | ||
| Special Branch | 1969-1970 | Det. Chief. Supt. Inman | 18 episodes |
| Doctor Who | 1970 | Dr. John Quinn | Serial: "Doctor Who and The Silurians" |
| Paul Temple | 1971 | Lindfors | Episode: "Sea Burial" |
| Doctor at Large | Dr. McKendrick | Episode: "Congratulations - It's a Toad" | |
| Play for Today | 1971-1976 | Various | 4 episodes |
| Seven of One | 1973 | Mr. Mackay | Episode: "Prisoner and Escort" |
| Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em | Fowler | Episode: "The RAF Reunion" | |
| Dad's Army | 1973-1977 | Dr. McCeavedy/Captain Ramsey | 2 episodes |
| Porridge | 1974-1977 | Mr. Mackay | 19 episodes |
| Churchill's People | 1975 | Bishop Wishart | Episode: "The Wallace" |
| The Vital Spark | 1974 | Mr McCubbin - Minister | Episode: "The Wedding" |
| Crown Court | 1975-1982 | Various | 9 episodes |
| Going Straight | 1978 | Mr. Mackay | Episode: "Going Home" |
| Tales of the Unexpected | 1982 | Edward | Episode: "The Moles" |
| Shelley | 1983 | The Tramp | Episode: "Of Cabbages and Kings" |
| Fraggle Rock | 1983-1984 | The Captain | |
| Mann's Best Friends | 1985 | Hamish James Ordway | |
| Lovejoy | 1986 | Luciano | Episode: "Death and Venice: Part Two" |
| Slip-Up | McColl | TV film |
References
[edit]- ^ Cox, Brian (1992). Salem to Moscow: An Actor's Odyssey. Methuen Drama. p. 28. ISBN 978-0413664501.
- ^ Stevenson, Randall (1981), Scottish Theatre Company: First days, First Nights, in Murray, Glen (ed.), Cencrastus No. 7, Winter 1981 - 82, pp. 10 - 13.
- ^ "Fulton Mackay profile". Porridge.org.uk. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- ^ Fulton Mackay's role in the TV comedy series "Porridge", porridge.org.uk; Retrieved 22 August 2014.
- ^ a b c Fulton Mackay at IMDb
- ^ Westthorp, Alex (24 April 2008). "Who could've been Who? An alternate history of Doctor Who". Den of Geek. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
- ^ Donaldson, Anne (8 December 1979). "What's on his plate after 'Porridge' ?". The Herald. Glasgow.
- ^ Dalhousie's Luck, Scotland On-Air
- ^ "No. 49583". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 1983. p. 11.
- ^ Young, Andrew (8 June 1987). "The chameleon qualities of a dedicated actor". The Glasgow Herald. p. 15. Retrieved 30 December 2025 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "No. 50975". The London Gazette. 24 June 1987. p. 8105.
- ^ "People of historical note buried in the borough M to Z". richmond.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
Fulton Mackay
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Upbringing
Fulton Mackay was born William Fulton Beith Mackay on 12 August 1922 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, to father William Mackay, who worked for the NAAFI.[5][1] His mother died shortly after his birth due to diabetes complications, and Mackay was raised by his widowed maternal aunt in the nearby industrial town of Clydebank, where he grew up in a modest household alongside her family.[5] Clydebank's environment, dominated by shipyards and heavy engineering works, exposed him to the realities of working-class life in interwar Scotland, fostering a perspective rooted in community resilience and labor struggles.[5]Education and military service
Mackay attended Clydebank High School in his hometown until the age of 14, after which he began an apprenticeship as a quantity surveyor.[6][7] In 1941, at the age of 19, he volunteered for service in the Royal Air Force but was rejected due to a perforated eardrum; he instead enlisted in the Black Watch regiment of the British Army, where he served for five years during World War II, including a three-year posting in India.[8][1] Following his demobilization in 1946, Mackay enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 1948, an experience that allowed him to develop his skills under formal training inspired by alumni such as Charles Laughton.[9][1] After completing his studies at RADA, Mackay encountered early challenges in launching his acting career, supplementing his income with odd jobs while auditioning and preparing for professional opportunities in the theatre.[1]Career
Theatre
Fulton Mackay began his professional stage career following training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), which provided his entry into Scottish theatre.[10] In 1949, Mackay joined the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow as a core ensemble member, remaining with the company until 1958 across nine seasons.[11] During this period, he performed in numerous productions, encompassing classical works by Shakespeare and contemporary plays that reflected the company's innovative approach to repertory theatre.[2] His versatility as a character actor contributed to the ensemble's reputation for bold interpretations, working alongside notable figures such as Duncan Macrae and Stanley Baxter.[12] After leaving the Citizens Theatre, Mackay entered a freelance phase in the late 1950s and 1960s, taking on roles with prestigious British companies. In 1962, he appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at the Arts Theatre in London, playing Kleshch in Maxim Gorky's The Lower Depths.[10] This engagement highlighted his ability to tackle international repertoire within ensemble settings. Later in the decade, he continued to build his profile through varied stage work, emphasizing his range in dramatic and character-driven parts. In the 1970s, Mackay associated with the National Theatre, notably portraying John Tagg in Peter Nichols's The Freeway at the Old Vic in 1974.[13] Standout solo performances included his role as Oscar, a POW in Singapore, in Russell Braddon's The Naked Island at the Arts Theatre Club in 1960.[14] He also delivered a compelling portrayal of Hughie in Bill Bryden's Willie Rough with the Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in Edinburgh in 1972, later transferring to London's Shaw Theatre.[10] Throughout his career, Mackay's character-driven performances played a key role in the revival of Scottish theatre, supporting new writing and national companies; he co-founded the Scottish Theatre Company in 1981 and served as a director of the Scottish Actors' Company.[15] His commitment to ensemble work and authentic portrayals of Scottish identity helped elevate the profile of regional theatre during a period of cultural resurgence.[2]Television
Mackay began his television career in the 1950s with appearances in British series such as Probation Officer and Interpol Calling, establishing himself through supporting roles in dramas and comedies.[16] In the early 1960s, he had a semi-regular role in the sitcom Mess Mates and made guest appearances in shows like Coronation Street, often portraying authoritative or working-class Scottish characters that drew on his theatre training.[1] His early work included BBC Scotland productions, where he also contributed as a playwright under the pseudonym Aeneas MacBride, blending his acting and writing talents in regional television.[2] Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Mackay built a reputation for guest spots in popular series, including the role of Professor Chadwick in the The Avengers episode "Return of the Cybernauts" (1967), where he played a scientist entangled in a cybernetic conspiracy.[17] He also appeared as Dr. John Quinn, a scientist experimenting with reptilian creatures, in the Doctor Who serial "Doctor Who and the Silurians" (1970).[18] From 1969 to 1970, he portrayed Detective Chief Superintendent Inman in the crime drama Special Branch, embodying stern law enforcement figures across 18 episodes.[1] Mackay's breakthrough came with his iconic portrayal of the strict, authoritarian prison officer Mr. Mackay in the BBC sitcom Porridge (1974–1977), appearing in all 21 episodes opposite Ronnie Barker's Norman Fletcher.[19] The character, a rigid disciplinarian with a Scottish brogue and unyielding sense of duty, became a cultural staple, highlighting Mackay's skill in blending comedy with menace. He reprised the role in the spin-off Going Straight (1978), guest-starring in the premiere episode "Going Home" as the retiring officer bidding farewell to Fletcher.[20] In the 1980s, Mackay continued with versatile television work, including voice acting as The Captain—a lighthouse keeper interacting with his dog Sprocket—in the UK segments of the children's series Fraggle Rock (1983–1984).[21] Over his career, he amassed more than 60 television credits, frequently cast as authority figures or comedic Scots in series like Dad's Army and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, cementing his status as a prominent small-screen character actor.[22]Film
Fulton Mackay made his film debut in 1952's I'm a Stranger. Throughout the 1970s, Mackay established himself in supporting roles that highlighted his ability to embody tough, no-nonsense characters, often drawing on his Scottish heritage. In Stephen Frears' Gumshoe (1971), he played John Straker, a shady associate to the lead character portrayed by Albert Finney, contributing to the film's noirish take on detective tropes. One of Mackay's most prominent film roles came in 1979 with Porridge, the big-screen spin-off of the BBC sitcom in which he reprised his television character as the stern prison officer Mr. Mackay, overseeing the antics of inmates led by Ronnie Barker's Fletcher.[23] In the 1980s, Mackay continued to take on memorable character parts in acclaimed British productions. He portrayed Ben Knox, the eccentric beachcomber whose reluctance to sell his land disrupts corporate plans, in Bill Forsyth's Local Hero (1983), a critically praised comedy-drama that earned a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and multiple BAFTA nominations.[24][25] His performance as the authoritative yet vulnerable Victor Kingsbrook in the political thriller Defence of the Realm (1985), directed by David Drury, further showcased his range in tense, ensemble-driven narratives.[26] Over his career, Mackay amassed approximately 30 film credits, frequently cast as gruff Scots or authority figures in British cinema, roles that leveraged his distinctive voice and commanding presence.[27]Playwriting
Fulton Mackay pursued playwriting under the pseudonym Aeneas MacBride to maintain a clear separation from his established acting career. This allowed him to explore creative writing without the influence of his on-screen persona.[1] His produced works for the BBC, including television and radio plays, frequently drew on themes from Scottish life and history, reflecting his deep connection to his heritage. A prominent example is Dalhousie's Luck (1980), broadcast as part of the BBC2 Playhouse anthology series, which dramatizes events during the 1644 siege of Aberdeen by the Marquess of Montrose. The play centers on a high-stakes gamble involving clan loyalty and personal fate, underscoring tensions of Scottish identity amid historical conflict. Another key piece, Girl with Flowers in Her Hair (1976), aired in the BBC Scotland series Play from 'A', is a concise 30-minute drama evoking personal memory and introspection, with characters like Lady MacInnes suggesting familial or cultural Scottish resonances. These contributions, among a small but impactful body of work totaling at least two televised productions, highlighted Mackay's versatility and informed his selections in acting roles that echoed similar explorations of Scottish character and societal dynamics. His extensive theatre background shaped his writing approach, favoring nuanced, dialogue-driven narratives rooted in everyday and historical realism.[1]Personal life
Family
Fulton Mackay married Irish actress Sheila Manahan in 1961 and the couple remained together until his death in 1987; they had no children.[28][29][1]Interests and honors
Mackay enjoyed oil painting as a favored hobby, using it for personal relaxation by creating landscapes and portraits.[3][30] He was a dedicated philanthropist, actively supporting the Glasgow Child and Family Trust by donating both time and funds to promote children's welfare in Scotland.[5][30] In acknowledgment of his services to drama, Mackay received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1984 New Year Honours.[31][32] Despite achieving considerable fame, Mackay maintained a low-key lifestyle, shunning publicity and preferring privacy in his personal affairs.[1]Death and legacy
Illness and death
In 1986, Fulton Mackay reduced his work schedule amid declining health and was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Following a brief battle with the disease, he died on 6 June 1987 in London, aged 64.[28] His burial took place at East Sheen Cemetery in London.[33] Mackay's death came midway through production on the UK version of the children's series Fraggle Rock, where he provided the voice of The Captain—a lighthouse keeper counterpart to the U.S. version's Doc—for the first three seasons (1983–1986); his ongoing voice work for the fourth season remained unfinished, leading to the role being recast with John Gordon Sinclair.[21]Posthumous recognition
Following his death, Fulton Mackay's portrayal of the stern prison officer Mr. Mackay in the sitcom Porridge has maintained enduring popularity, serving as a foundational element of his legacy and frequently referenced in British comedy revivals. The character's archetype of the authoritarian yet comically rigid warden has been alluded to in subsequent adaptations, such as the 2016 BBC revival series, where a similar role is embodied by the character Mr. Meekie, highlighting the lasting impact of Mackay's performance on the genre.[34][35] In recent years, Mackay has received notable posthumous honors celebrating his Scottish roots. In July 2024, a star dedicated to him was unveiled on Paisley's Buddie Walk of Fame, a Hollywood-inspired trail honoring local luminaries, with his plaque placed on Gilmour Street near the train station to recognize his contributions to stage and screen. Complementing this, a commemorative stone was laid in his honor on the Paisley Piazza in September 2024, further embedding his legacy in the cultural fabric of his birthplace.[36][37][5] Tributes from contemporaries underscore Mackay's exceptional talent, particularly his comedic prowess. Ronnie Barker, his co-star in Porridge, praised Mackay's timing as "wonderful, natural," noting how it lent authenticity to their on-screen dynamic and made interactions feel effortlessly real. Such commendations reflect Mackay's ability to elevate ensemble comedy through precise delivery and presence.[38] Mackay's career has been recognized in discussions of Scottish actors' influence on British media, where his transition from prominent theatre roles at institutions like the Citizens Theatre to iconic television characters exemplifies the bridging of dramatic and comedic traditions across mediums. This duality is highlighted in biographical analyses of his work, emphasizing how he advanced Scottish representation in mainstream British entertainment.[1][2]Selected works
Stage roles
Mackay began his professional stage career in 1947 and became a prominent ensemble member at Glasgow's Citizens Theatre from 1949 to 1958, performing in numerous productions during that period.[10]| Year | Role | Play | Theatre | Playwright |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Angel | Angel | Strand Theatre, London | N/A |
| 1949–1951 | Various (repertory) | Various | Citizens Theatre, Glasgow | N/A |
| 1950 | King Humanitie | The Thrie Estates | Assembly Hall, Edinburgh Festival | Sir David Lyndsay |
| 1953–1958 | Various (repertory) | Various | Citizens Theatre, Glasgow | N/A |
| 1960 | Oscar | The Naked Island | Arts Theatre, London | Russell Braddon |
| 1962 | Kleshch | The Lower Depths | Arts Theatre, London | Maxim Gorky |
| 1962–1963 | Preacher/Solveig’s father; Salerio; Dapper | Peer Gynt; The Merchant of Venice; The Alchemist | Old Vic Theatre, London | Henrik Ibsen; William Shakespeare; Ben Jonson |
| 1969 | Reardon | In Celebration | Royal Court Theatre, London | David Storey |
| 1972 | Hughie | Willie Rough | Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh (transfer to Shaw Theatre, London) | John McGrath |
| 1976 | Davies | The Caretaker | Shaw Theatre, London | Harold Pinter |
| 1979 | Chris Christopherson | Anna Christie | Other Place Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon (Royal Shakespeare Company) | Eugene O'Neill |
| 1980 | Mr. Squeers | The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby | Aldwych Theatre, London (Royal Shakespeare Company) | Charles Dickens (adapted by David Edgar) |
Screen roles
Fulton Mackay's screen work encompassed a variety of supporting and character roles in British cinema and television, often portraying stern or authoritative figures that highlighted his distinctive Scottish gravitas. His most enduring contribution to the medium was as the disciplinarian prison officer Mr. Mackay in the BBC sitcom Porridge, a role that spanned both the original series and its cinematic adaptation.[39][23] The table below lists selected notable credits from his filmography, prioritizing iconic and representative appearances.| Year | Title | Role | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | A Prize of Arms | Cpl. Henderson | Film |
| 1970 | Doctor Who and the Silurians | Dr. John Quinn | TV |
| 1971 | Gumshoe | Straker | Film |
| 1973 | Nothing But the Night | Cameron | Film |
| 1974–1977 | Porridge | Mr. Mackay | TV |
| 1979 | Porridge | Mr. Mackay | Film |
| 1982 | Britannia Hospital | Chief Superintendant Johns | Film |
| 1983 | Local Hero | Ben Knox | Film |
| 1983–1987 | Fraggle Rock | The Captain | TV |
| 1985 | Defence of the Realm | Victor Kingsbrook | Film |
| 1985 | Dreamchild | Gryphon (voice) | Film |
| 1985 | Water | Eric | Film |