Michael Staniforth was a British theatre and television actor who originated the role of C.B. in Starlight Express.
He performed in numerous West End shows, including A Chorus Line and Sweeney Todd, but he is most well known for his beloved role as Timothy Claypole in the long-running British children's television comedy, Rentaghost.
He sadly passed away in July, 1987.
Starlight Express Credits[]
1984 Biography[]
Michael Staniforth (C.B.) was born in Birmingham on 15th December 1942. His father was a sergeant in the Army and so Michael's childhood was spent with his family in Germany, Egypt and Libya.
He emigrated to Australia at the age of 21 and two years later landed a role in South Pacific at The Menzie Theatre Restaurant in Sydney, where for the next 2 1/2 years he happily performed in a further 12 musicals, including Wonderful Town and Cole Porter's Out Of This World, followed by a National Tour of The Boy Friend.
He returned to England in late 1969 and first appeared in the West End in Hair at The Shaftesbury Theatre. Next was Two Gentlemen Of Verona (Speed) and Winnie The Pooh (Tigger) both at the Phoenix Theatre. In 1977 he played the role of Paul the gay Puerto Rican, in the original British cast of A Chorus Line, returning to the same venue (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) three years later as the young Tobias in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd.
On television, he has appeared (and frequently disappeared!) in over 50 episodes of Rentaghost as "that stupid sprite" Mr. Claypole.
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