Skip to main content

Elwyn Jones (Elwyn Brook-Jones)

Actor

Elwyn Brook-Jones, professionally credited as Elwyn Brook-Jones and sometimes referred to simply as Elwyn Jones, was a British character actor born on 11th December 1911. Most modern film and television reference sources, including IMDb and TMDB, give his birthplace as Caerphilly, Wales; however, his own obituary in The Times stated he was born in Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, likely while his parents were living abroad. This page states both claims honestly rather than treating either as settled fact.

Brook-Jones built a long career on stage, film and television from the 1930s through to his death. He is best remembered on screen for playing the scheming Emir in the comedy 'The Pure Hell of St Trinian's' (1960), and for earlier roles in 'Odd Man Out' (1947), 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' (1948) and 'The Small Back Room' (1949). On television he was a familiar voice as 'The Voice', the unseen villain in the children's adventure series 'Garry Halliday' (1959-1962).

He died on 4th September 1962 in Reading, Berkshire, at the age of 50.

Top

British character actor best known as the Emir in The Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960)

Brook-Jones worked steadily on the British stage and in film and television throughout the 1940s and 1950s, and his voice-only role as the villain in the children's series 'Garry Halliday' introduced him to a generation of young television viewers shortly before his death in 1962.

His birthplace disputed between Caerphilly, Wales and Sarawak, Borneo.

Career Highlights

  • Played the Emir in The Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960)
  • Appeared in Odd Man Out (1947), Bonnie Prince Charlie (1948) and The Small Back Room (1949)
  • Voiced 'The Voice' in the TV series Garry Halliday (1959-1962)

ℹ️ Born 11th December 1911 — most sources say Caerphilly, Wales, though his Times obituary said Sarawak, Borneo.
ℹ️ Elwyn died on the 4th of September, 1962.

Caerphilly, Wales (or Sarawak, Borneo)