ACTOR
Arthur Lowe
35 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (35)
- #001
In his final years, Arthur Lowe's alcoholism worsened and his acting was reduced to pantomimes and touring theatre productions. Graham Lord's biography recalls that by 1979 Lowe was suffering major health problems but continued to drink increasing amounts of alcohol, sometimes collapsing on stage or at dinner. He also smoked heavily and had grown overweight. Lowe had long suffered from narcolepsy.
- #002
Arthur Lowe is now best known for playing Captain Mainwaring in the BBC classic sitcom Dad's Army (1968), but he was not the first choice for the role. Thorley Walters and Leonard Rossiter turned the offer down, and Jon Pertwee was also considered.
- #003
Arthur Lowe played the same character, Leonard Swindley, in three different series: Coronation Street (1960), Pardon the Expression (1965) and Turn Out the Lights (1967).
- #004
In January 1982, Richard Burton flew Lowe on his private plane to film a cameo role in the television series Wagner (1983), which was Burton's final screen performance.
- #005
Three weeks into filming Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979), Alec Guinness panicked and decided he could not play George Smiley; he suggested Lowe in his place.
- #006
Arthur Lowe suffered a stroke in 1979.
- #007
Arthur Lowe narrated a public information film reminding motorway drivers that the right-hand lane is not a "fast lane" and is only for overtaking.
- #008
While touring coastal theatres with his wife, Lowe used his distinctive 1885 steam yacht, Amazon, as a floating base. He bought Amazon as a houseboat in 1968 but recognised its potential and took it back to sea in 1971; the unique vessel is still operating in the Mediterranean. On board there was a semicircular bar cut in half so that both Lowe's large figure and his wife could serve behind it at the same time and act as hosts during the parties they held on the ship.
- #009
In his later years, his wife Joan Cooper insisted that they only work together on stage, so he turned down many good theatre jobs in order to tour the country in bad plays just to give her a role. He was offered a part in the Hollywood film Heaven Can Wait (1978) but had to turn it down because there was no role for his wife.
- #010
Arthur Lowe's contract for Dad's Army (1968) contained a clause stating that he would not be filmed without his trousers.
- #011
A memorial service for Arthur Lowe was held at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London on 24 May 1982.
- #012
Arthur Lowe was the son of Arthur ('Big Arthur') (1888-1971) and Mary Annie ('Nan') Lowe, née Ford (1885-1981).
- #013
Leonard Rossiter, Arthur Lowe, Sid James, Eric Morecambe and Tommy Cooper all died in cinemas where they were performing or about to perform.
- #014
Arthur Lowe left school at the age of 15.
- #015
Arthur Lowe made his debut at the Manchester Repertory Theatre in 1945, where he was paid £5 a week for two performances a night.
- #016
Alongside straight television series, Arthur Lowe also achieved considerable success in comedies.
- #017
While playing Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army (1968), Arthur Lowe refused to take his script home to learn his lines. His stated reason was that he did not want "such damn rubbish" in his house. He generally worked on his dialogue in the studio.
- #018
Arthur Lowe spent four years on Coronation Street, from the third episode onwards.
- #019
Arthur Lowe owned a 100-ton Victorian-style steam yacht built in 1885 and an old Daimler car.
- #020
In a case of life imitating art much like Captain Mainwaring, Arthur Lowe was largely managed and ordered about by his wife.
- #021
Two biographies of Arthur Lowe have been published: Arthur Lowe - My Father's Memory, written by his son Stephen and published in 1997, and Arthur Lowe by Graham Lord, published in 2002.
- #022
In December 2007, plans were announced to erect a statue of Lowe in Thetford, Norfolk, where the exterior scenes of Dad's Army (1968) were filmed. The statue was unveiled on 19 June 2010 by the series' writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft. Two blue plaques honouring the star were also unveiled, one in Maida Vale and the other in his birthplace, Hayfield, Derbyshire.
- #023
While serving in the Second World War, Arthur Lowe was part of a repertory company.
- #024
Arthur Lowe appeared in the musicals Pal Joey and The Pajama Game.
- #025
Once he became well known, Arthur Lowe was reported to be dismissive towards members of the public.
- #026
Arthur Lowe's son is Stephen Lowe (born January 1953).
- #027
Arthur Lowe was originally cast in Royal Flash (1975) but was replaced.
- #028
During the Second World War, Arthur Lowe wanted to join the navy but was rejected because his eyesight was not good enough, so he joined the army as a soldier. He received radio training in 1938 and was eventually sent to the Middle East with REME to repair searchlights, rising to the rank of Sergeant Major.
- #029
Arthur Lowe provided the narration for the animated series of the "Mr. Men" children's books.
- #030
Arthur Lowe was an active supporter of the British Conservative Party.
- #031
In an interview, fellow "Coronation Street" actor William Roache noted how Arthur Lowe would usually keep to himself on set during filming.
- #032
At the time of his death, Arthur Lowe had been cast as Septimus Harding in The Barchester Chronicles (1982). He was due to begin filming but died just before principal photography started, and Donald Pleasence stepped in at the last minute.
- #033
Arthur Lowe died exactly 14 years after the first episode of Dad's Army (1968) was recorded.
- #034
While in the army during the Second World War, Arthur Lowe was helped to organise soldiers' shows.
- #035
During the Second World War, Arthur Lowe was discharged from the army after being badly struck with the butt of a German rifle.
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