East Belfast’s famous son is remembered

Online events to remember well known east Belfast actor James Ellis on his 90th birthday, and to mark the fourth anniversary of the opening of the James Ellis Bridge on the Connswater Community Greenway, have been announced by EastSide Greenways, part of the regeneration organisation EastSide Partnership.
By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 19th Mar 2021, 09:05 GMT
James Ellis' wife and son, Robina and Toto Ellis at the opening of the James Ellis BridgeJames Ellis' wife and son, Robina and Toto Ellis at the opening of the James Ellis Bridge
James Ellis' wife and son, Robina and Toto Ellis at the opening of the James Ellis Bridge

Actor, director, writer and famous son of east Belfast James Ellis, affectionately known as Jimmy, became a household name in the early 1960s playing PC Bert Lynch in the BBC police series Z Cars before performing in many other television roles including in Graham Reid’s Billy Plays trilogy, Doctor Who, Ballykissangel and Only Fools and Horses.

The James Ellis Bridge, named in his memory, spans a section of the Connswater Community Greenway close to the Ellis family home in east Belfast. Thousands of people have enjoyed cycling, running and walking across the bridge since it opened four years ago.

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The online events will include close family, famous friends such as well-known actor Adrian Dunbar, and those inspired by James Ellis sharing their thoughts on his life, work and legacy.

James EllisJames Ellis
James Ellis

A special video was released on Connswater Community Greenway’s social media on what would have been James Ellis’ 90th birthday. The video includes friends and family who shared their memories of the actor as well as those inspired by Jimmy’s legacy.

‘Remembering James Ellis at 90’ will be held on March 26 at 7pm, online via zoom. Join EastSide Greenways for an evening celebrating the life, work and legacy of James Ellis. The evening will also reveal for the first time the unpublished and surprising written talents of James Ellis.

Contributing to the online events, actor and friend of James Ellis, Adrian Dunbar, said: “Jimmy Ellis from the east of the city of Belfast found himself, very quickly after leaving Queen’s University Belfast, at the forefront of theatre in Northern Ireland. His work, initially with the Group Theatre and then with Sam Thompson, propelled him across the water where once again he found himself at the forefront of the TV revolution in the 60s promoting his own people of the nation. A great actor, friend and mentor to me. His presence will always be missed.”

For further information and to book tickets for the Remembering James Ellis at 90 online event visit www.visiteastside.com.

Related topics:East Belfast