BAFTA-winning actor and comedian Stanley Baxter has died aged 99.
The star was known for his impressions of famous people, including Queen Elizabeth II, and his BBC series The Stanley Baxter Show garnered large audiences in the 1960s.
The Scot featured in a string of films in the same decade, notably Very Important Person, The Fast Lady and Father Came Too!
He then became a household name following the ratings success of London Weekend Television’s (LWT) The Stanley Baxter Picture Show.
The legendary performer bravely came out as gay in 2020 after 46 years of marriage to his wife Moira, who died in 1997.
Baxter was born in a Glasgow tenement in 1926 and was trained up for the stage by his mother.
He starred as a child actor in BBC Scotland productions before honing his skills during national service with the Army’s Combined Services Unit where he brushed shoulders with fellow comedic actor Kenneth Williams and other future stars.
From 1959-1960, he co-hosted sketch show On the Bright Side with Betty Marsden, for which he was awarded a BAFTA for Light Entertainment Performance.
Legendary actor and comedian Stanley Baxter, pictured in 1971, has died aged 99
The star was well known for his impressions, including of Queen Elizabeth II
The BAFTA-winning star pictured as the Pantomime Dame in 1975
He bravely came out as gay in 2020 after 46 years of marriage to his wife Moira, who died in 1997
After a breakthrough decade in the 60s, which also saw him host his own BBC Radio Scotland show, he became a nationwide star in the 70s and 80s, competing with the likes of Morecambe and Wise for primetime ratings.
His outrageous, and often grotesque, outfits and accurate impressions, which also saw him mimic the Pope, made The Stanley Baxter Picture Show – following on from his BBC series – a roaring success from 1972 to 1975.
Baxter was also a popular figure on the Scottish pantomime circuit until his retirement in 1991, leading some of the most lavishly produced pantos in British history.
Although he did emerge occasionally and briefly from retirement, he largely disappeared from show business and from the public eye.
He hid his homosexuality throughout a career which hit its peak during a time when gay sex remained illegal in Scotland – it was only decriminalised in 1981.
The comedian revealed his secret in 2020 when he lifted the embargo on a biography he had written 15 years prior and never intended to publish in his lifetime.
That year, he said: ‘There are many gay people these days who are fairly comfortable with their sexuality. I’m not. I never wanted to be gay. I still don’t.
‘Anyone would be insane to choose to live such a very difficult life. The truth is, I don’t really want to be me.’
The comedian pictured filming On the Brighter Side with Betty Marsden in 1961, a follow up to On The Bright Side which won him a BAFTA
Baxter pictured filming a scene for the comedy Crooks Anonymous in Hyde Park in 1962 during a breakout decade for the Scot
In 1969, he played in Joe Orton’s controversial farce, What the Butler Saw, in the West End alongside Sir Ralph Richardson (pictured: Baxter, right, with Julia Foster in the play)
Baxter pictured in his show Phil The Fluter in 1969. He became famous for his outrageous, and often grotesque, outfits and accurate impressions
The comedian’s sexuality will be explored in an upcoming documentary, titled Being Stanley Baxter, which will be aired on New Year’s Eve.
The comedian died in Denville Hall, a care home for retired entertainment stars in Highgate, on Thursday, having moved to the North London neighbourhood in 1972.
In a statement, his family said: ‘It is with great sadness that the family and friends of legendary Scottish comedian and comedy actor Stanley Baxter announce that he died peacefully on the evening of the 11th December 2025, only a few months short of his 100th birthday.
‘Stanley leaves a younger sister, Alice Warwick, along with her son Tony and daughter Zoe. His wife Moira died in 1997, and his long-term partner Louis died in 2017.
‘At Stanley’s request, his funeral will be a small private ceremony in the company of family and close friends and there will be no memorial service or memorial plaques.’
Tributes started pouring in for the performer shortly after his death was announced, with BAFTA penning a statement reading: ‘We’re saddened to hear that Scottish actor and comedian Stanley Baxter has died aged 99.
‘Baxter starred in a string of TV comedy shows including the BAFTA-winning The Stanley Baxter Series and The Stanley Baxter Big Picture Show.
‘He received an Outstanding Contribution to Film & Television award at the BAFTA Scotland Awards in 2020.’
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said: ‘Very sorry to hear of the death of Stanley Baxter – a giant of Scottish entertainment.
‘He brought incredible joy to generations. My sympathy to his family.’
Actor and voice artist David Holt, who was a friend of Baxter, said: ‘Stanley was an inspiration to me and a whole generation of other actors and performers.
‘His masterful stage craft, his extraordinary gift for characterisation, voices and mimicry, his brilliantly inventive comic mind, his high-camp humour, his even higher production standards, produced one of the most unique entertainers of his generation and he was the last of the greats: up there with the Two Ronnies and Morecambe and Wise.
‘His dazzling TV spectaculars were an ‘appointment to view’ and had a huge following. Underneath, he valued his privacy and never courted attention outside the business.
‘He led a contented home life in Highgate – comfortable but not luxurious. He was a devoted and generous friend to his small inner circle – and I consider it a privilege to have been included.
‘He was courteous, kind, thoughtful and gentlemanly. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends – but most especially by me.’
The King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal in Glasgow said: ‘We are saddened to hear of the passing of Stanley Baxter, the legendary actor and comedian who made an unique and lasting impact in the world of panto with his memorable performances on the King’s stage.
The cost of some of his productions, in terms of sets, effects and extras was enormous, and led to his contracts being terminated early both by the BBC and by London Weekend Television
After a breakthrough decade in the 60s, which also saw him host his own BBC Radio Scotland show, he became a nationwide star in the 70s and 80
Baxter pictured in character as James Bond circa 1974. ITV’s The Stanley Baxter Picture Show – following on from his BBC series – was a roaring success from 1972 to 1975
The comic actor pictured in character as Probe presenter Charmaine Globb circa 1979. He hid his homosexuality throughout a career which hit its peak during a time when gay sex remained illegal in Scotland
‘We are celebrating his life today and thinking of his loved ones at this time.’
Friend and biographer Brian Beacom, who knew Baxter for around 35 years, said: ‘He was funny, he was mischievous, he was always incredibly clever and able to come up with comedy in a way that few people could even consider.
‘But just as importantly, he was a terrific friend. He had an incredible warmth and consideration for other people and it’s no surprise that he was an entertainer from the 1930s onwards and he never upset a single soul.’
After diving into acting during his early years, Baxter returned to Glasgow, where he found work at the Citizens Theatre, and later to London where he embarked on his highly successful TV career.
He made his debut in the BBC’s Shop Window in 1952, followed by numerous guest appearances in variety shows.
The actor also starred in Geordie in 1955, a film about a Scotsman taking part in the following year’s Melbourne Olympics.
After his career took off, Baxter starred in a number of TV spectaculars, including Stanley Baxter’s Christmas Box.
But the cost of these productions, in terms of sets, effects and extras was enormous, and led to his contracts being terminated early both by the BBC and by London Weekend Television.
He was undaunted by these setbacks and among his most successful routines was Parliamo Glasgow, written by a fictitious scholar visiting Glasgow.
The sketch took the city’s patois and developed it to marvellous comic effect, including ‘sanoffy cold day’ for ‘It’s an awfully cold day’.
Baxter as the Pantomime Dame in Jack and the Beanstalk in Glasgow in 1977
The star, pictured in 1980, moved to Highgate, north London in the 70s and remained there until his death
Baxter pictured as the Pantomime Dame in 1983
His versatility went beyond simply being a comedian, a drag artiste and impressionist. In 1969, he played in Joe Orton’s controversial farce, What the Butler Saw, in the West End alongside Sir Ralph Richardson.
He also guest-starred in an episode of The Goodies and later appeared in the lead role of Mr Majeika, a children’s show about a magic teacher, expelled from Walpurgis, the wizard land, for failing his wizarding exams.
After his retirement, he appeared in 2004 in a series of three half-hour radio sitcoms for BBC Radio 4, entitled Stanley Baxter and Friends.
He also lent his voice to the animated children’s film Arabian Knight and the TV series Meeow.
Channel 4 later screened two specials combining old highlights with new material.
From 2006 he also went on to record a number of plays, under the name The Stanley Baxter Playhouse, for Radio 4.