Le Mesurier, John (1912–1983)

English actor. He gained television fame as Sergeant Wilson in the long-running BBC sitcom Dad's Army (1968–77). First finding success in British comedy films such as Private's Progress (1955), The Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960), and The Pink Panther (1963), he moved to television with appearances in Hancock's Half Hour (1956–61) and George and the Dragon (1966–68).

Le Mesurier was born in Bedford. He began working life as a solicitor's articled clerk before training as an actor and touring in shows until World War II. His early film work included Brothers in Law (1956), I'm All Right, Jack (1959), and The Punch and Judy Man (1960).