Biography

But after seeing a touring company perform, he decided to pursue acting and obtained a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama while also working at the Nottingham fish market during his holidays. He made his professional debut in 1961 performing in various productions at the Bangor Little Theatre in North Ireland and went on to join the Salisbury Repertory (1962-63), the Bristol Old Vic (1963-65) and the Royal Shakespeare Comapany (1965), Associate Artist 1966-69).

Around this time he married his first wife, Lynn Farleigh. He had two sons and an adopted daughter with his second wife, Heather Mary Sneddon, whom he divorced in 1977. In 1979, he moved with his present wife, Elizabeth Ann Smithson, and their two kids, Richard and Katy, to Brighton where he still resides. He is president of and plays with the Rottingdean Cricket Club and also enjoys (keeping in mind his most charming sense of humour which he apparently inherited from his father) listening to drains. His other interests include darts, riding, watching TV sports, gardening and gambling. He is a member of the MMC, Lord's Taverners, Eccentrics, and S.P.A.R.K.S.

From The International Who's Who, 2004 by Elizabeth Sleeman, Taylor & Francis Group, Europa Publications, Europa
JAYSTON, Michael, FGSM; British actor; b. 29 Oct. 1935, Nottingham; s of Aubrey Jayston and Edna Myfanwy Llewelyn; m. 1st Lynn Farleigh 1965 (divorced 1970); m. 2nd Heather Mary Sneddon (divorced 1977); m 3rd Elizabeth Ann Smithson 1978; three s. one d; with the RSC 1965-69, at. Theatre 1976-79. Films include Cromwell 1970, Nicholas and Alexandra 1971, Follow Me 1972, Bequest to the Nation 1972, Tales That Witness Madness 1973, Craze 1973, The Internecine Project 1974. TV appearances include: Power Game, Charles Dickens, Beetowven, Solo-Wilfred Owen, Quiller 1975, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy 1979, Dr. Who 1986, A Bit of a Do 1988, Kipling's Sussex 1989, About Face 1989, Darling Buds of May 1992, Outside Edge 1995-96, Only Fools and Horses 1996. Theatre appearances include: Private Lives 1980, Sound of Music 1981, Way of the World 1984-85, Woman in Mind, Beethoven Readings with Medici String Quartet 1989, Dancing at Lughnasa 1992, Wind in the Willows, Nat. Theatre 1994, Racing Demon, Chichester Prod. in Toronto 1998, Easy Virtue, Chichester 1999. Leisure interests: cricket, darts, chess. Address c/o Michael Whitehall Ltd, 125 Gloucester Road, London SW7 4TE, England. Telephone (20)7244-8466. Fax: (20) 7244-9060
*FGSM= "Fellow of Guildhall School of Music and Drama"
*Agency address may not be accurate now.

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