If you grew up in 1970s Britain, chances are you remember George Roper—the weary, grumpy, yet oddly loveable landlord who, alongside his snobbish and aspirational wife Mildred, became a sitcom icon. This week, we say farewell to Brian Murphy, the man behind George, who passed away at the age of 92.
Murphy’s journey to television fame was far from straightforward. Born in 1932 on the Isle of Wight, his childhood was shaped by wartime London, where he honed his early performance skills entertaining local children. After serving in the RAF, Murphy trained at RADA, but financial difficulties meant he had to abandon his studies. His big break came not on television but on stage, becoming a key member of Joan Littlewood’s influential Theatre Workshop.
His career took an unexpected turn when he landed the role of George Roper in Man About the House, a sitcom that scandalised some viewers with its premise of a young man living with two women (Good heavens!!). George and his wife Mildred, played by the incredible Yootha Joyce, were initially intended as side characters, but their dynamic was so compelling that they became a highlight of the show.
It wasn’t long before George and Mildred became a spin-off, cementing Murphy and Joyce as one of Britain’s most iconic TV couples. Their mismatched marriage—Mildred striving for middle-class respectability, George stubbornly clinging to his working-class roots—resonated with audiences, drawing in 22 million viewers at its peak.
Despite George and Mildred’s immense popularity, Murphy resisted being typecast, taking on a variety of roles in television and theatre. While some later projects didn’t quite reach the heights of his sitcom success, he remained a respected actor, later appearing in Last of the Summer Wine and One Foot in the Grave.
Brian Murphy’s gift was his ability to bring humour to the everyday. George Roper wasn’t flashy, but he was real—relatable, infuriating, and ultimately, loveable.
Were you a George and Mildred fan? Did you find Tristram as irritating as I did? Share your memories in the comments below or get in touch via social media.
Take care,
Oliver
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