Richard Cameron Wattis (February 25, 1912 in Wednesbury, Staffordshire, England — February 1, 1975 in London, England), was a British character actor.
His first appearance in a film was A Yank At Oxford in 1938, but war service interrupted his career as an actor. Wattis served as a Second Lieutenant with the Arms Section of Special Operations Executive at Station VI during World War II.
He is best known for his appearances in innumerable British comedies of the 1950s and 1960s, including in the St Trinian's films (The Belles of St Trinian's, Blue Murder at St Trinian's and The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery), as "Manton Bassett", who is a Civil Servant in the Ministry of Education
Other films included Hay Fever, The Colditz Story, Dentist on the Job, Very Important Person, The Happiest Days of Your Life and even The Longest Day, among many others.
Richard Wattis also appeared on television, including a long-running role opposite Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques in Sykes as their next-door neighbour, as well as appearances in Danger Man, The Goodies and Father, Dear Father, among others.
A balding, bespectacled, bird-like British comic actor, Richard Wattis was an invaluable asset to any UK comedy film or TV programme for nearly thirty years. Much associated with the Eric Sykes TV series for the latter part of his career. He often seen in officious roles, such as snooty shop managers, secretaries and policemen. He was working right up to his sudden death from a heart attack in 1975.
