Search the Collection

Sid James

(1913-1976), Actor

Sitter in 14 portraits
James was one of the most popular performers in British film and television from the 1950s to 1970s. Born in South Africa, he came to Britain in 1946. His comedy partnership with Tony Hancock in BBC Radio's Hancock's Half Hour began in 1954, and later transferred to television. James was a key player in the Carry On films and made nineteen films in that series.. He died mid-performance at the Sunderland Empire in 1976.

Watch Paul Merton talking about Sid James in the Media section below

Tell us More

List Thumbnail

Sid James

by Ruskin Spear
oil and collage on canvas, 1962
NPG 6820

Sid James; Tony Hancock

by Bob Collins
bromide print, 1959
NPG x45334

Sid James; Tony Hancock; Mario Fabrizi; and eight studio staff

by Bob Collins
bromide fibre print from original negative, 1959
NPG x36010

Cast and crew of 'Hancock'

by Bob Collins
contact sheet of twelve 2 1/4 inch square film negatives, 1959
NPG x36043

Tony Hancock; Sid James; and crew of 'Hancock'

by Bob Collins
contact sheet of eight 2 1/4 inch square film negatives, 1959
NPG x125121

Sid James; Tony Hancock; the crew of 'Hancock'

by Bob Collins
contact sheet of eleven 2 1/4 inch square film negatives, 1959
NPG x125125

Tony Hancock; Sid James; the cast and crew of 'Hancock'

by Bob Collins
contact sheet of twelve 2 1/4 inch square film negatives, 1959
NPG x125126

Sid James; Tony Hancock; the cast and crew of 'Hancock'

by Bob Collins
contact sheet of twelve 2 1/4 inch square film negatives, 1959
NPG x125127

Tony Hancock; Sid James; the cast and crew of 'Hancock'

by Bob Collins
contact sheet of twelve 2 1/4 inch square film negatives, 1959
NPG x125128

Tony Hancock; Sid James; the cast and crew of 'Hancock'

by Bob Collins
contact sheet of twelve 2 1/4 inch square film negatives, 1959
NPG x125129

Tony Hancock; Sid James

by Bob Collins
modern bromide fibre print from original negative, 1959
NPG x36011

Tony Hancock; Sid James; Duncan Wood

by Bob Collins
bromide fibre print, 1959
NPG x36042

Sid James as Sid Marks in 'Three Hats for Lisa'

by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1966
NPG x18731

'Carry on at Your Convenience'

by Albert Clarke
C-type colour print, 1971
NPG x34576

Groups

Places

Media

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

* What can you tell us? (Help)

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citation (Help)

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Denied Granted

* Your name (Why?)

* Email (Why?)

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.

Thematic collections

Tell us more

Can you tell us more about this person?

Sid James

Thanks for Liking