Friar Tuck royal writs in 1417 refer to Robert Stafford, a Sussex chaplain who had assumed the alias of Frere Tuk. This "Friar Tuck" was still at large in 1429. These are the earliest surviving references to a character by that name. In the 1891 romantic opera "Ivanhoe" by Sir Arthur Sullivan and Julian Sturgis, Friar Tuck was played by Avon Saxon. In the film "Robin Hood" (1922) he was portrayed by Willard Louis. In the film, "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938) the character Friar Tuck was played by actor Eugene Pallette as a fat individual fond of food but also
Friar Tuck skilled with a sword. He was also quick to quarrel with anyone who slighted him, deprived him of his food or made fun of his girth. In the film "The Bandit of Sherwood Forest" (1946) he was portrayed by Edgar Buchanan. In the film "The Prince of Thieves" (1948) he was portrayed by Alan Mowbray. In the film "Rogues of Sherwood Forest" (1950) he was portrayed by Billy House. In the late 1950s British television series "The Adventures of Robin Hood," he was played by Alexander Gauge as a fat friar a tad too devoted to good eating. He is