EARL CAMERON

(8 August 1917 - 3 July 2020)

The Bermudan-born actor Earl Cameron, who has died aged 102, came to Britain during World War II. Working as a kitchen porter at Lyons Corner House, he bagged a walk-on part in Chu Chin Chow, followed by small speaking roles. He broadcast from the BBC to Africa and the Caribbean and toured to many UK theatre reps. His first film was Pool of London (1951), bold for its day, featuring the relationship between a white girl and a black sailor (Cameron). He made several more ‘problem’ pictures including Emergency Call, Simba, Safari, Odongo, The Heart Within and, in particular, Sapphire and Flame in the Street, both dealing with racial prejudice. Cameron also appeared in several TV series and his other films of note include Guns at Batasi, Thunderball, Two Gentlemen Sharing, The Revolutionary, A Warm December (directed by and starring Sidney Poitier), The Message, Cuba, The Interpreter, The Queen and Christopher Nolan’s Inception, his last film, in 2010. Earl Cameron married Audrey Godowski and they have five children. She died in 1994. He subsequently married his second wife, Barbara. He was awarded a CBE in 2009 for his services to drama.

MICHAEL DARVELL