Anthony Sharp was a renowned English actor, writer, and director, born Dennis Anthony John Sharp on June 16, 1915, in Highgate. Prior to his acting career, he worked as an insurance policy draughtsman. Sharp trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and made his stage debut in 1938 with HV Neilson's Shakespearean touring company.
After serving in the Royal Corps of Signals and the Royal Artillery during World War II, Sharp resumed his stage career, appearing in various productions in the West End and in repertory theatres. He played a wide range of roles, from aristocratic types to professional authority figures, and was particularly known for his work in comedy-thrillers and 'boardroom' dramas.
Sharp was also a prolific director, helming productions such as Any Other Business, Caught Napping, and Wolf's Clothing. His credits included numerous appearances in British sitcoms, including Dad's Army, Steptoe and Son, and Rising Damp. He worked frequently with popular TV comedians like Benny Hill, Morecambe and Wise, and Frankie Howerd.
In addition to his stage and television work, Sharp appeared in several films, including A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, and Never Say Never Again. He also worked in radio, appearing in productions like It Sticks Out Half a Mile and The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket.
Sharp was married to actress Margaret Wedlake and had a son, Jonathan. He died on July 23, 1984, at the age of 69, while playing the role of the Doctor in the West End production of Jean Anouilh's Number One.
