Brian Roper (actor)
Introduction '''Brian T. Roper''' (19 August 1929 – 14 May 1994) was a British-American film and television actor, and, in later years, real estate agent.
Biography Roper played youthful parts during his career due to his young physique, which included his appearance as the animal-loving young boy "Dickon" with a pet fox in ''The Secret Garden'' (1949), starring Margaret O'Brien. ''The Secret Garden'' was prepared for MGM's 25th anniversary as a film studio and was heavily promoted in 1949–50.Newspapers at the time claimed his age as 14.He appeared this age but was actually five years older. Roper was noted for his reddish hair and some freckles.Born in Doncaster, West Riding of Yorkshire, Roper left Britain on 5 October 1948 when he was 19 years old after his selection for ''The Secret Garden'' from more than 100 boys who were tested during a six-month search. Work on the film began on 4 October 1948 and was completed in late November. He later lived in both Britain and California, depending on the location of his acting work, and acted for 24 years.Following his acting career he went briefly into the film industry agency business. Roper married Barbara L. Eaton (aka Barbara L. Stafsudd), in Los Angeles when he was 38 years old, on 30 December 1967.His wife was 13 years younger. Shortly after this marriage, Roper established the '''Roper School of Real Estate''' in 1968 in Hayward, California and served as its lecturer and instructor. He would go on to train new salespeople while serving as director of sales training for Red Carpet Realtors in Northern California.
Death Brian Roper died in Antibes, France at the age of 64.
Theatrical performances  Dramatic Shows Year Title Role Location NotesBefore and around 1936variousBritainTheatre (Stage Plays) Year Title Role Location Notes1947''The Boy David''DavidLondonPlayed title role in this biblical play, created for actress Elisabeth Bergner by J. M. Barrie, the author of ''Peter Pan''; ''The Boy David'' was Barrie's last play. Brian played title role at the Scala Theatre, London on 2 December 1947, part of celebrations of the London Federation of Boys' Clubs Diamond jubilee. 1949''A Midsummer Night's Dream''PuckBritain
Filmography  Film Year Film Role Notes1947''Just William's Luck''Ginger1948''William Comes to Town''GingerU.S. title: ''William at the Circus''.1948''The Boy with Green Hair''Background boy.Uncredited.1949''The Secret Garden''Dickon1950''The Miniver Story''RichardUncredited.1950''Maria Chapdelaine''Tit-Be ChapdelaineFrench title: ''Maria Chapdelaine''; U.S. title: ''The Naked Heart''.1952''Time Gentlemen, Please! ''CyrilAka ''Nothing to Lose''.1953''The Girl on the Pier''Ronnie Hall1954''The Rainbow Jacket''Ron Saunders1955''The Blue Peter''Tony MullinsU.S. title: ''Navy Heroes'' (1957).1958''Hong Kong Confidential''Dennis BrooksSpy film.1960''The Lost World''Zoological Institute British – forum participantUncredited. Television Year Title Role Notes1951''Kaleidoscope''Boy pageTV serial of 6 episodes that aired 1951–1952.Roper appeared in 1 episode:* Episode 2 – "Fools Rush In", 18 May 1951 (first air date).1952''The Secret Garden'' (TV series 1952)''DickonTV serial of 8 episodes using the Alice de Grey adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel (weekly on Tuesdays – first air dates: 29 April 1952 to 17 June 1952). Roper appeared in 4 episodes:* Episode 4 – "The Door in the Wall", 20 May 1952. * Episode 6 – "A Tantrum in the Night", 3 June 1952. * Episode 7 – "It Has Come", 10 June 1952. * Episode 8 – "When The Sun Went Down", 17 June 1952.1956''ITV Television Playhouse''Gormy EvansTV serial that aired for 9 seasons, 1955–64.Roper appeared in 1 episode:* Season 1, Episode 35 – "Boys in Brown", 24 May 1956 (first air date).1955–1956''Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School''Bob CherryTV serial that aired for 7 seasons, 1952–61.Based on character Billy Bunter at Greyfriars School. Roper appeared in 8 episodes:* Season 2, Episode 1 – "Bunter on the Run", 9 July 1955 (first air date). * Season 2, Episode 2 – "Bunter the Hypnotist", 23 July 1955. * Season 2, Episode 3 – "Lord Billy Bunter", 6 August 1955. * Season 2, Episode 4 – "Bunter Forgot", 20 August 1955. * Season 2, Episode 5 – "Bunter Takes the Blame", 3 September 1955. * Season 2, Episode 6 – "Bunter Knows How", 17 September 1955. * Season 3, Episode 1 – "Backing Up Bunter", 9 September 1956. * Season 3, Episode 2 – "Bunter the Bold", 16 September 1956.1957''The Adventures of Sir Lancelot''Alan (4th year squire to King Rolf's son Prince Damien)TV serial of 30 episodes that aired for 1 season, 1956–57.Roper appeared at the beginning of 1 episode:* Season 1, Episode 18 – "Witches' Brew", 19 January 1957 (first air date).1958''Studio 57''TV serial that aired for 4 seasons, 1954–1958.U.S. title: ''Heinz Studio 57''. ''See Heinz 57''. Roper appeared in 1 episode:* Season 4, Episode 12 – "A Source of Irritation", 19 January 1958 (first air date).1960''Adventures in Paradise''PotterTV serial that aired for 3 seasons, 1959–62.Roper appeared in 1 episode:* Season 2, Episode 7 – "Hangman's Island", 21 November 1960 (first air date).
Awards and nominations  Year Award Result Category Film or series Notes 1961Golden Laurel Award Nominated Top Action Drama – 5th place ''The Lost World'' (1960) Award honors film (all persons involved).
Affiliations  Type Organisation Notes Member National Association of Boys' Clubs (United Kingdom) youth Member Screen Actors Guild (SAG) adult
Notes
References (citations)
References (books) * Holmstrom, John (1998), ''The Moving Picture Boy – An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995'', 2nd Revised Edition, Michael Russell (Publishing) Ltd., Wilby Hall, Wilby, Norwich, England, Great Britain;  (), hardcover. 1st Edition 1996. * Ragan, David (1992), ''Who's Who in Hollywood – The Largest Cast of International Film Personalities Ever Assembled'', 2nd Revised Edition, Facts on File (publisher), New York City, USA, 2 volumes (vol. 1 A-L, vol. 2 M-Z) (1,920 pp. );  (), hardcover. 1st Edition: ''Who's Who in Hollywood – 1900–1976'', Arlington House (publisher), 1 volume (864 pp. ), 1976;  (), hardcover; Crown Publishing, 1977;  (), hardcover. * Zambrana, M. L. (2002), ''Nature Boy: The Unauthorized Biography of Dean Stockwell'', iUniverse (publisher), 130 pp. ;  (), softcover.
External links * *  – 1949 film. * .