Home
Movies
TV Shows
Photos
Now Streaming
Movies Streaming Now
TV Shows Streaming Now
In Theaters
Coming Soon
Sign In

Home
Movies
TV Shows
Photos
More
Now Streaming Movies Streaming Now TV Shows Streaming Now In Theaters Coming Soon Celebrities
Sign In

Home
People
Norman Beaton

Norman Beaton

Actor

Born October 31, 1934 in Georgetown, Guyana

Died December 13, 1994

Movies & Shows

Discover Norman Beaton content online

Loading streaming options...

Finding the best places to watch

No streaming options available

Check back later for new content

No matches found for your search

Try different keywords

Content availability varies by region and time. Links open in new window.

Share with a friend

Quick Copy Link

Share on Social Media

Popular

Professional

More Options

Photos Profile Poster Backdrop Stills Logo Event Publicity Product Behind the Scenes Photos Other Photos Unknown Photos Videos Trailers Teasers Clips Behind the Scenes Videos Bloopers Featurette Credits Other Videos Awards

Biography

Norman Beaton was a popular and much loved Guyanese born British actor. He arrived in the UK in 1960 and worked as a calypso singer and musician and a teacher - being the first black teacher employed by the education authority in Liverpool. His heart set on a career in showbusiness, he moved to Bristol and became a presenter on the regional news magazine Points West, before a two week prison sentence curtailed his presenting career. He subsequently found work in London's West End, appearing in The Tempest as Ariel, a role he subsequently cited as the most important in his career. He helped set up the Black Theatre in Brixton in the mid 70s and broke into television with the first black British sitcom, The Fosters in 1976, playing Lenny Henry's father. A star turn in the movie Black Joy followed a year later, as did the principal role in the fledgling black soap Empire Road for the BBC. But it is perhaps his performance as Desmond Ambrose, the crotchety Peckham barber in Channel 4's hit sitcom Desmond's that Beaton will forever be remembered for. The series ran from 1988 until his ill health curtailed the show in 1994. He retired to Georgetown, the place of his birth, but collapsed and died of a heart attack at the airport on arrival, on 13th December 1994. He was 60 years old.

Less

More

Norman Beaton Photos

Norman Beaton Videos

Nice (1984) | BFI National Archive

Black Joy Trailer

Filmography

Actor

57

Type

Year

Craig & Danny: Funny, Black and on TV TV Special2020Desmond Ambrose

Little Napoleons Poster

Little Napoleons Mini-Series1994N.K. Edwards

The Main Event TV Series1993Self

Black and White in Colour Poster

Black and White in Colour Mini-Series1992Self

Endgame by Samuel Beckett Poster

Endgame by Samuel Beckett TV Movie1991Hamm

Tarzán TV Series1991Tabutu

The Real McCoy Poster

The Real McCoy TV Series19911 episode, 1993

Lenny Henry: The Best of 'The Lenny Henry Show' Poster

Lenny Henry: The Best of 'The Lenny Henry Show' Documentary1990

4 Play TV Series1989Pastor

Desmond's Poster

Desmond's TV Series1989Desmond Ambrose

That's Showbusiness Poster

That's Showbusiness TV Series1989Self - Panelist

The Mighty Quinn Poster

The Mighty Quinn Feature Film1989Governor Chalk

The Late Show Poster

The Late Show TV Series1988Self

The Play on One Poster

The Play on One TV Series19881 episode, 1988

Big George Is Dead TV Movie1987Boogie

Playing Away Poster

Playing Away Feature Film1987Willie Boy

Rockliffe's Babies Poster

Rockliffe's Babies TV Series1987Irish Mickey

Dead Head Poster

Dead Head Mini-Series1986Caractacus

Summer Season Poster

Summer Season TV Series1985Priest

Telly Addicts Poster

Telly Addicts TV Series1985Self

Nice TV Movie1984Black immigrant

Real Life Poster

Real Life Feature Film1984Leon McDonald

The Bill Poster

The Bill TV Series1984Rev. Marcus Ogan

The Cosby Show Poster

The Cosby Show TV Series1984Carleton

The Lenny Henry Show Poster

The Lenny Henry Show TV Series1984Various Characters

Eureka Feature Film1983Byron Judson

Live from Pebble Mill TV Series1983Mambu

Tales from the Thousand and One Nights Poster

Tales from the Thousand and One Nights TV Movie1981

Hammer House of Horror Poster

Hammer House of Horror TV Series1980Mr. Ngenko

Give Us a Clue Poster

Give Us a Clue TV Series1979Self

Minder TV Series1979Billy

Empire Road Poster

Empire Road TV Series1978Everton Bennett

The Little Big Show Poster

The Little Big Show TV Movie1978

Black Christmas Poster

Black Christmas TV Movie1977Bertie

Black Joy Poster

Black Joy Feature Film1977Dave

Pressure Poster

Pressure Feature Film1976Preacher

Star Turn Poster

Star Turn TV Series1976Self

The Fosters Poster

The Fosters TV Series1976Samuel Foster

A Man in the Zoo Poster

A Man in the Zoo TV Movie1975Joe Tennison

Celebrity Squares Poster

Celebrity Squares TV Series1975Self

BBC2 Playhouse Poster

BBC2 Playhouse TV Series1974Trevor All

Armchair Cinema Poster

Armchair Cinema TV Series1973Mr. Byron

Sykes TV Series1972Richard Kydd

The Chastity Belt Poster

The Chastity Belt Feature Film1972Blacksmith

The Protectors Poster

The Protectors TV Series1972Chauffeur

Thirty Minutes Worth Poster

Thirty Minutes Worth TV Series1972London Transport guard

Barlow at Large TV Series1971Venston

The Two Ronnies Poster

The Two Ronnies TV Series1971Man on Train Journey

Play for Today Poster

Play for Today TV Series1970Leroy

My Partner the Ghost Poster

My Partner the Ghost TV Series1969Policeman

Jackanory Poster

Jackanory TV Series1965Storyteller

Mogul TV Series1965Amos Tucker

Play School Poster

Play School TV Series1964Self - Storyteller

The Wednesday Play Poster

The Wednesday Play TV Series1964Guitarist in Club

Z Cars TV Series1962Lee

ITV Sunday Night Drama Poster

ITV Sunday Night Drama TV Series1959Grantly Palmer

This Is Your Life Poster

This Is Your Life TV Series1955Self

Featured Celebrity Photos

Margot Robbie Filming Oceans 11 Prequel at Place Vendôme, Paris

Isla Fisher Spotted Exploring New York City Streets

Farrah Abraham Enjoys Poolside Relaxation in Austin Bikini

Brooks Nader Enjoys Lunch at La Conca del Sogno in Nerano

Karissa Rose Attends National Geographic's Lion Premiere in Los Angeles

Gracie Abrams Stars in Chanel Mademoiselle 'Crush Absolu' Campaign August 2026

Kimberley Garner Shines at "The Dog Stars" World Premiere in London

Margaret Qualley Attends "The Dog Stars" World Premiere in London

Lottie Moss Shines at The Dog Stars World Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square London

Lily Brooks O'Briant Attends National Geographic's "LION" Premiere in Los Angeles

Kylie Jenner Attends Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns' Malibu Wedding

Ariana Madix Makes a Memorable Appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Alix Earle and 'Earle Meets World' Cast Appear on SiriusXM's The Morning Mash Up in New York

Katherine McNamara Shines at 'Atlas King' Premiere Screening in Los Angeles

Angourie Rice Attends 'Finding Emily' Special Screening in Los Angeles

Julia Garcia Shines at National Geographic's "LION" Premiere in Los Angeles

Madelyn Cline Arrives at Today Show in New York City

Isla Fisher Spotted Outside ABC Studios in New York City

Lana Condor Spotted Exploring New York City Streets

Kelly Brook Departs Global Radio Following Heart Breakfast Show Hosting in London

AJ Michalka Enjoys Dinner Outing in Paris

Inde Navarrette Shines at Apple TV Series "Platonic" Premiere in Los Angeles

Olivia Rodrigo Spotted Exploring New York City on August 16, 2026

Daisy Jelley Attends 'Outer Banks' Pogues for Life Fan Farewell Event in Los Angeles

Hayes Warner at "Advance Sneak Peek and Q&A" Event at Los Angeles Marriott, August 2026

Taylor Swift Celebrates Love at Oli Jacobs and Laura Sisk's Wedding in England

Fiona Palomo Attends "Outer Banks" Pogues for Life Fan Farewell Event in Los Angeles

Sarah Connor Performs Live at Open-Air Wilde Nächte Tour in Berlin

Daniella Monet Shines at Netflix End of Summer Bash in Los Angeles

Karolina Wydra and Rhea Seehorn Attend "Pluribus" FYC Presentation at Televerse Festival in LA

Oops!

Sign up for free

Company

About Us
Contact Us
Send feedback

Contribute

Add Movie
Add TV Show
Contribution Guide

Legal

Terms
Privacy

© 2026 Gawby.com

Send feedback to Gawby.com

Describe your issue or suggestion