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IMDbPro

Tony Osoba

  • Actor
  • Producer
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Tony Osoba as Archie Richmond in 'Tanner'
Tony Osoba was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and has become a familiar face to TV audiences in a career spanning more than 30 years. Tony joined the RSAMD at the age of 18 in Glasgow. His breakthrough role came in 1974 when he starred opposite Ronnie Barker in the popular BBC sitcom 'Porridge'. Tony played in-mate Jock McLaren throughout the 3 seasons of the show, as well as appearing in the first episode of the follow-up series 'Going Straight' in 1978 and starring in the film version of Porridge in 1979.

During his career he has made more than 200 television appearances, including 'Doctor Who' opposite Tom Baker in the 1979 story 'Destiny Of The Daleks', and later in the 1987 story 'Dragonfire', with Sylvester McCoy. In 1985, Tony starred as Det. Sgt. Chas Jarvis in all three seasons of the Drama series 'Dempsey & Makepeace', and later joined the cast of 'Coronation Street' in 1990 as Peter Ingram. In the 1990s, he appeared in programmes such as 'The Bill', 'Taggart', 'Bugs' and 'Holby City'.

Tony has also had a successful career on the stage, and recently starred in a major UK Theatre Tour of Rodger & Hammerstein's 'The King & I' in 2005.
BornMarch 15, 1947
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BornMarch 15, 1947
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Unlock contact info on IMDbPro

Photos

Fulton Mackay and Tony Osoba in Porridge (1974)
Poster for snooker film Extended Rest
Mervyn Cumming, Tony Osoba, Frank Williams, Bernard Wrigley, Oliver Crocker, Solitaire Mouneimne, and Richard Jobling in Tanner (2007)
Tony Osoba as Archie Richmond and Richard Jobling as Vic Tanner in 'Tanner'

Known for

Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon in Dempsey and Makepeace (1985)
Dempsey and Makepeace
7.3
TV Series
  • Det. Sgt. Chas Jarvis
Ronnie Barker in Doing Time (1979)
Doing Time
7.2
  • McClaren
  • 1979
Paul McGann, Colin Baker, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, William Hartnell, Sylvester McCoy, Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Troughton in Doctor Who (1963)
Doctor Who
8.4
TV Series
  • Lan
  • Kracauer
Peter Adamson, Jean Alexander, Johnny Briggs, Margot Bryant, and Doris Speed in Coronation Street (1960)
Coronation Street
5.6
TV Series
  • Peter Ingram
  • Wesley McGregor

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor

  • The Long Road
    • Bryn
    • Post-production
  • Julius Caesar: Shakespeare Lives
    • Julius Caesar
    • Short
    • 2016
  • The Widower (2015)
    The Widower
    • The Widower
    • Short
    • 2015
  • Planetfall (2014)
    Planetfall
    • A.I. Computer
    • 2014
  • Bradley Walsh, Jodie Whittaker, Tosin Cole, and Mandip Gill in Doctor Who (2005)
    Doctor Who
    • Duke
    • TV Series
    • 2014
  • Poster for snooker film Extended Rest
    Extended Rest
    • Terry Kincaid
    • Short
    • 2014
  • Roots
    • The Creator
    • Short
    • 2013
  • Ian Cullen, Bernard Holley, Frank Williams, and Nicola Posener in A Voice to Die For (2013)
    A Voice to Die For
    • Tony
    • Short
    • 2013
  • The Shadow Line (2011)
    The Shadow Line
    • Duty Solicitor
    • TV Mini Series
    • 2011
  • Colin Blumenau, Nula Conwell, Peter Ellis, Trudie Goodwin, Jon Iles, Gary Olsen, Eric Richard, John Salthouse, Tony Scannell, Jeff Stewart, Mark Wingett, and Delia Swan in The Bill (1984)
    The Bill
    • Charlie Dokes
    • Fayoud
    • Lynagh
    • TV Series
    • 1989–2009
  • Hollyoaks (1995)
    Hollyoaks
    • Superintendent Smith
    • TV Series
    • 2008
  • Mervyn Cumming, Tony Osoba, Frank Williams, Bernard Wrigley, Oliver Crocker, Solitaire Mouneimne, and Richard Jobling in Tanner (2007)
    Tanner
    • Archie Richmond
    • 2007
  • If...
    • Consultant
    • TV Series
    • 2004
  • Revolver (2001)
    Revolver
    • Suicidal Man
    • Various Characters
    • TV Series
    • 2004
  • Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher (2003)
    Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
    • Jim McLaren
    • TV Movie
    • 2003
  • Caroline Hayes, Tony Osoba, and Mike Reid in EastEnders: Perfectly Frank (2003)
    EastEnders: Perfectly Frank
    • Ray Taylor
    • TV Movie
    • 2003

Producer

  • Poster for snooker film Extended Rest
    Extended Rest
    • co-producer
    • Short
    • 2014

Soundtrack

  • Ronnie Barker in Porridge (1974)
    Porridge
    • performer: "Happy Days Are Here Again" (uncredited)
    • TV Series
    • 1975

Personal details

Edit
  • Official site
    • Official Site
  • Born
    • March 15, 1947
    • Glasgow, Scotland, UK
  • Spouse
    • Sally OsobaJuly 7, 1989 - present
  • Other works
    Starred in the 3 Seasons of the Radio show 'Three Men Went To Mow'
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    Is best known as inmate McLaren in the hugely popular 1970s prison comedy "Porridge"

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