Brian Murphy (actor) Brian Murphy (actor) Brian Trevor John Murphy (born 25 September 1932) is an English actor and comedian, best known as the henpecked husband George Roper in the popular sitcom "Man About the House" and its spin-off series "George and Mildred", and as Alvin Smedley in "Last of the Summer Wine". Murphy was born in Ventnor, Isle of Wight, the son of Gerald, a grocer's assistant and Mabel Murphy, both of whom later became restaurateurs. His two brothers Ken and Eric were killed during active service in the Second World War. He was called up to do his national service at
Yootha Joyce (1972), "Never Mind the Quality Feel the Width" (1973) and "Steptoe and Son Ride Again" (1973). She also appeared as customer Mrs. Scully in the pilot episode of "Open All Hours" (1973). It was not until 1973 that she acquired a starring role, when she was cast as man-hungry Mildred Roper, wife of sub-letting landlord George, in the sitcom "Man About the House". This series, which starred Richard O'Sullivan, Paula Wilcox, Sally Thomsett, and Brian Murphy as George Roper, ran until 1976, deriving its comic narrative from two young women and a young man sharing the flat above the Ropers.