The cast of Are You Being Served? in late 1981. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Nicholas Smith, the veteran actor who famously played Mr. Rumbold in the long running comedy Are You Being Served?, has passed away at the age of 81.

Mr. Smith was born in Banstead, England on March 5th, 1934.  He trained as an actor at RADA, and appeared on stage on the West End, the Bristol Old Vic, and Broadway.  He would go on to have small roles on television, on series such as The Saint, The Avengers, The Champions and Ace of Wands.

In 1972, Mr. Smith landed the role for which he would be fondly remembered, as Mr. Cuthbert “Jug Ears” Rumbold in the series Are You Being Served?  He would stay with the series until it finished its run in 1985.  He would later reprise the role in the follow up series, Grace & Favour (called Are You Being Served? Again! in North America) in 1992 and 1993.  He also appeared in the movie version of the show in 1977.

Mr. Smith was the last surviving member of the original cast of Are You Bring Served? after the death of fellow actor Frank Thornton in 2013.  Only Mike Berry (Mr. Spooner), who replaced Trevor Bannister (Mr. Lucas) when he left the series, is still living.

Following Are You Being Served?, Mr. Smith appeared in the mini series, Martin Chuzzlewit, as well as a vicar in the movie Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.  He would also appear as a vicar in an episode of Last of the Summer Wine in 2008, alongside fellow Are You Being Served? actors Frank Thornton and Trevor Bannister.

Mr. Smith also appeared as Sir John Treymayne on the British Tour of Me and My Girl, the role originally played by Frank Thornton in the West End.

Mr. Smith is survived by his daughter, the actress Catherine Russell.