At one stage Richard O'Sullivan was one of the most popular comedy actors on British TV.
Known to millions in the UK, Canada, Australia and many other parts of the world, O'Sullivan was the "Man About the House", who went on to star in such further favourite TV series as "Robin's Nest" and "Me and My Girl".
But whatever became of the child star who became a 70's TV heartthrob, moving on to be Britain's premier TV sitcom star?
Cast as bachelor cookery student Robin Tripp, who shared a flat with 2 gorgeous girls, "Man About the House" reached an audience of 16 million viewers at its peak, with O'Sullivan starring in the title role alongside Paula Wilcox and Sally Thomsett.
As was the custom at the time, the successful sitcom made its way onto the silver screen with a Man About the House movie version starring the same actors as in the TV version.
As was the custom at the time, the successful sitcom made its way onto the silver screen with a Man About the House movie version starring the same actors as in the TV version.
A spin-off series about a small Bistro soon followed (Robin's Nest) co-starring Tessa Wyatt (now an EastEnders cast member) and Tony Britton (father of Fern) and by this time O'Sullivan had become a household name.
Theme and titles from Me and My Girl
Known at the time as something of a ladies man, O'Sullivan had relationships, firstly with Thomsett and followed by Wyatt, breaking up her marriage to DJ Tony Blackburn in the process. Their relationship resulted in the pair having a son Jamie. However they rowed constantly and split up never actually getting married.
With further success in the children series "Dick Turpin" and starring with Tim Brooke Taylor in "Me and My Girl", his popularity continued into the 1980's.
Into the 90's and his profile had decreased somewhat, but he was never short of work. He admitted in 1994 to being "a hard drinking depressive" and he largely retired from public life 2 years later.
Late in 2003, O'Sullivan suffered a stroke and it is believed that he has not been in the best of health since.
Now aged 70, he lives in a retirement home for actors and performers in the Twickenham area and is occasionally seen out walking in the locality.
The images show the years have taken their toll on the TV sitcom actor, but his antics on the small screen brought enjoyment to millions, as do the repeats that still appear from time-to-time.
Did you used to enjoy watching Richard in his numerous TV roles? Which was your favourite?
Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting him?
Please feel free to comment.....
CLICK BELOW TO FIND OUT WHATEVER HAPPENED TO:
Doctor in the House Star: Barry Evans
Did you used to watch the "Man About the House" spin-off sitcom "George and Mildred?" Do you remember the small boy who played their next door neighbours son Tristram?
Find out more about him at:
Whatever Happened to Nicholas Bond-Owen
Did you used to watch the "Man About the House" spin-off sitcom "George and Mildred?" Do you remember the small boy who played their next door neighbours son Tristram?
Find out more about him at:
Whatever Happened to Nicholas Bond-Owen
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He brought many a smile and laugh in the 70s.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to Richard.
I saw a man about the house episode not long ago. I think they are just as good and should be shown again.
DeleteI love all the old sitcoms. On the buses and robins nest. I wish you well Richard. I did meet you years ago on an outing. Love Carol.
I thouhgt his school films were great specialy with jermy bullock in spare the rod best of luck mate lan lee sunderland tyne. Wear . To Rlchard o sullivon î
Deletestill watch man about the house, robins nest..... they always remind me of my childhood.... great memories..... great actor, well done Richard!!
ReplyDeleteWell said Sheilena. I too am watching the re-runs of Man about the house. They are as brilliant now as they ever were. I wish all the cast good health.
Deleteyou was good in men a bunt the house I miss you all ways john
DeleteJust watched an episode of Man About the House; happy memories. Thank you and all the best Richard if you ever read this.
ReplyDeleteSame as all the above. Thankyou for the laughter and happy memories. All the very best Richard. I hope someone will let you know how many people are thinking of you and wishing youa well.
ReplyDeletei find this very sad he bought much laughter to our homes in the 70,s and 80,s may he get better and live on.im watching the re runs too still so funny thanks richard
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant tv series and we watch the series whenever they are on tv.
ReplyDeleteI too am watching the re-runs of Man About The House and find them just as funny as back in the day. Now I just have to find Robins Nest as I used to love that too.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I'm finding Miss Wilcox incredibly sexy on those re-runs!!
I'd like to extend my sincere good wishes to Richard and to the other cast members, and my thanks for a most enjoyable show. Lovely to be able to watch it again these days - brings back many happy memories.
ReplyDeleteFrom Valerie in New Zealand.
I'm Australian and for me Richard, and the others in Man About The House, really encapsulated the feel and the joy of life of the 70s as it moved along from the music/fashion/social explosion in Britain of the 1960s.
ReplyDeleteBritain was the centre of the universe then in those decades, and Richard was a wonderful product of those times.
His movie career went back to the 1960s Cliff Richard & The Shadows movies - Summer Holiday, The Young Ones, Wonderful Life - and his personality shone through then just as it did in Man About The House.
I have all those movies, as well as the Robin's Nest series, but the Man About The House series in particular I will never tire of watching.
I hope he knows how much he is appreciated and loved and what an icon he is.
I wish him the very best in his present circumstances. He will always be remembered and will never be forgotten.
Ross in Olinda Vic, Australia
these actors have fun at first then they have to face the consequences after.
ReplyDeleteWhat does that mean? Sounds like you think he deserves what's happened!
DeleteThank's Richard for a fantastic collection of great TV, nothing like it anymore, hope your health improves and I wish you well for 2013, xx
ReplyDeleteAw i to remember the series fondley ..best wishes to richard god bless x
ReplyDeleteGod bless you Richard for all the fun and pleasure you brought, and continue to bring to the lives of millions around the world.
ReplyDeleteWe have been watching the repeats of "Man about the House" on ITV 3 and laughing night after night just as we did in the 7O's.Such lovely gentle humor is sadly lacking in our lives today.
How about a KNIGHTHOOD for one of Britain's best loved actors of his generation, who brought so much enjoyment to so many? I can't think of anyone else who deserves it more!
I do hope you read all the terrific comments that people from all over the world have left on this site Richard.Your a GREAT GUY and loved by Millions! Stay strong and keep your head up!
what can i say about richard o sullivan but a fantastic actor and very plesant to watch he allways makes me smile when ever i watch him i wish you very well and stay well all the best.from dai in south wales.
ReplyDeleteA little known fact is that richard as a boy was in such great films as its great to be young with another superb actor the late sir john mills. Richard was also in carry on teacher.
ReplyDeleteLife takes its toll on us all +richard gas seen a lot of life. I do wish him a speedy recovery. Say hi richard if i see you on the street matey.
If you can read this,I would like to say thank you very much for the enjoyment you have given me over the years.I do wish that your health improves greatly.Why do good people have to cop this crap?There is not enough money to ay for the joy and fun you have given my family and myself.Thanks again,mate.
ReplyDeletemy cousin met you some years ago. in cornwall. she was on her honeymoon, and had her photo taken with you. i also wish you well. it would be nice to see you back on the tv. perhaps in eastenders???? i loved man about the house best of all.
ReplyDeleteHappy memories watching Richard. Great and funny actor. Never tire of watching man about the house etc. Wish you the best of future health Richard your still very much loved by a lot of people :)
ReplyDeleteI always watched Man about the House and Robin's Nest and loved them. No graphic sex, no swearing, just good honest humour, unlike so many so called comedies now who think it's just not funny without all that. The seventies were my childhood and I miss those times. Richard...you were/are great. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the pleasure you gave over the years in 'Man About the House' (my favourite) and 'Robin's Nest' - I loved those. I did actually meet you once in the very early 70s at a party in a friend's house in Strand-on-the-Green in Chelsea. You were so dishy and we had a lovely chat. I really hope that your health improves - you are loved by so many people.
ReplyDeleteWatching Man About The House series.How fantasic Richard. I just love your boyish sense of humour.You deserve to be so well & happy having given so much pleasure to millions of people.God Bless you Richard get well soon X
ReplyDeleteThank you for the pleasure you have given to millions of people with your sense of boyish fun in Man about the house etc.You deserve to be so well & happy.God bless you Richard X
ReplyDeleteI've just watched an episode of 'Man about the house', it was just as enjoyable now as it was in the '70's. I echo the comments of the other contributors. Richard O'Sullivan was a wonderful talent; I also enjoyed his big screen roles. He made millions happy with his legendry performances, I wish well and good health, he is a big miss on todays TV. Kind regards, Adam Spector.
ReplyDeleteI watch Man about the House every evening, and remember Richard from the 1970's. I think he was adorable and although hes aged he will still have his youthful ways and inside have a loving heart full of love. Thats how I think of you Richard. Love you. Sandra.xx
ReplyDeleteWish we could see you on the tv as much as we did in the 70's and 80's. Miss your velvety voice and your comforting manner... Hope you're content knowing how respected you still are and so very loved x
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Richard and so does my whole family, including my daughter. I so enjoyed watching Robyn's Nest and Dick Turpin as a young child and re-runs of Man About the House in later years. He was so loveable with beautiful, twinkly eyes :-)
ReplyDeleteI am Iranian, and I love all of his TV series, specially Me and My Girl. Although I don't have any feeling of British culture in that time ( I am 29 ), and I have not lived there yet, but I genuinely feel how fantastic his TV series has been and is. Best wishes for you Richard.
ReplyDeleteIndeed,never fails to make me laugh. I was a delivery girl,just a few years ago and came to the House in Twickenham. For all the world you couldve been acting the part of an 'old man'. That youthful spirit and handsome look was still there and you made me laugh!!! Kindest Jules x x
ReplyDeleteMan about te house; in the seventies we stayed home for this brilliant series. Right now I still watch it on dvd every now and then to experience again the feeling from the great seventies, especially now in these very worrying times mmy hang to the seventies multiplied.... Richard, if you read this, bless you !
ReplyDeleteSigned,
Child of the seventies from the netherlands
The picture you show as he is now is from a Daily Mail article about Richard. An absolute pointless article from a newspaper that seems to get satisfaction from pointing fingers at people who have changed over the years....jut because they have changed.. In 20 years times lets all take our cameras to the house of the current Daily Mail Editor and take some pictures, how interesting!!!! The Mail and the culture their is just bullying and extremely unprofessional. Vote with your money - don't buy this rubbish!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThey did the same regarding the death of guitarist Gary Moore. Said he did of a binge of drink not to disimilar to Phil Lynott's Not true in the end. Gutter press journalism!!!
DeleteI spent several weeks in Richard's company when he was making a film in Southport Lancashire. I was helping to run the old Palace Hotel which had been closed and was being used as a studio to make two films and to accommodate the cast and crew. Richard was in the second one (The Haunted House of Horrors - really quite terrible) and we used to go out with other members of the cast to local restaurants and clubs. He had damaged his knee and I found an old golf putter for him to uses before he could acquire a proper walking stick.
ReplyDeleteRichard was extremely good company and I wish we could have maintained our friendship. I was most sorry to hear of his later troubles.
I knew richard in the late sixties when he was still at drama school in hammersmith
ReplyDeleteand he was a lovely friendly boy, thanks for the joy over the years
Love all of Richard' s shows. I particularly love My Girl and Me (why don't they release it on DVD). Man About The House and Robin's Nest too. Good to see Paula Wilcox on the TV still and loved Brian Murphy in Last of the Summer Wine. Too young to have seen these show when they were made but I'm glad I found them, God bless all, Simon.
ReplyDeleteI've just bought some DVDs of Man About the House, and we're all really enjoying them. I met Richard, briefly, when he was in Boeing Boeing in Jersey with his MATH co-star Doug Fisher. Both really nice guys. So sad that Doug is no longer with us.
ReplyDeleteAs a young girl of 12 years I loved the series Dick Turpin. Recently I bought the dvd's and watched them again. What a beautiful series, and what a great acting!!!! I still love it!! (I'm 44 years old now). Thank you mr O'Sullivan for the way you were Dick Turpin. Wish you love and happiness for the years te come. From Holland with love.
ReplyDeleteI always loved richard o sullivan in man about the house he was so sexy. I thought that he married paula wilcox who played chrissie plummer in man about the house .
ReplyDeletethank your Richard for making me smile I wish you all the best love dee
ReplyDeleteHi Richard, watched you from the start of your tv career,
ReplyDeleteYou were the right guy at the right time. You have always been my friend.
Good luck...!
Bill McQ
Richard, you were a star when I was a kid and re-watching you now, you were a great comedy actor.
ReplyDeleteAll the best mate.
Totally agree with the comments above. First saw Richard in Carry on Teacher when I was young. Have recently discovered man about the house being shown again. Absolutely loved it! Then went onto watch Robins nest again brilliant. Richard truly has something special. Oozes personality and looks. He just bewitches you when you watch him. He certainly has something special. Is such a shame he has been in ill health and has faded into obscurity. Is so cruel what age and fame when it fades does to people! Wish you all the best Richard. Hope you read this. Would love to meet you one day and shake you hand and say thanks. Chris
ReplyDeleteI used to be a child when I watched "a man about a house".
ReplyDeleteConsider I was born in Cuba and he was just a loved actor in my country.
A man about the house reminds me my childhood.
O'Sullivan was just a great actor and he made cubans laugh a lot.
Thanks for the comment. I never realised British TV was popular in Cuba - nice to know though.
DeleteBest wishes richard
ReplyDeleteRemember watching dick Turpin as a young lad all the best Richard God bless mate hope you are well thanks for some great tv
ReplyDeleteHello Richard,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all the great programs that you and the rest of the wonderful cast made, still great to watch, makes the world ok again.
Thank you
David
Baghdad Gooharney:
ReplyDeleteLoved watching Richard in MATH and as Dick Turpentine in the 70's. Much missed on TV.
If only he was well enough to make a return to acting - God knows mainstream TV desperately needs a Richard O'Sullivan at the top of his game !. For me, he WAS my 70's TV - and now, watching 'Robin's Nest', 'Man about the house' etc, etc (on Forces TV) gives me immense pleasure !. All the very, very best Richard - thank you for my 70's !
ReplyDelete