Leonard Rossiter: Co-Star Relationships and Legacy

Ask any British comedy fan to name a memorable 1970s sitcom landlord, and the answer is almost always Rigsby — the seedy, pompous landlord from Rising Damp. Leonard Rossiter, a classically trained actor from Liverpool, brought that character to life with a ferocious comic energy that made the show a hit (Museum of Broadcast Communications). Behind the on-screen farce, his relationships with co-stars like Richard Beckinsale and Joan Collins reveal a more complex figure than his manic characters suggested.

Born: 21 October 1926 ·
Died: 5 October 1984 (aged 57) ·
Best known for: Rigsby in Rising Damp ·
Other iconic role: Reginald Perrin ·
Number of Cinzano adverts: 9 with Joan Collins ·
Cause of death: Heart attack on stage

Seven facts that define Rossiter’s life and career, from his birth in Liverpool to his untimely death on stage.

Here is a snapshot of his career stats.

What is Leonard Rossiter most famous for?

Rigsby and Rising Damp

• Rossiter played Rupert Rigsby in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp from 1974 to 1978 (Wikipedia).
• The character originated in a stage play Banana Box where the landlord was called Rooksby (Museum of Broadcast Communications).
• The show’s success depended largely on Rossiter’s comic talent (Museum of Broadcast Communications).

Rossiter’s Rigsby was a seedy, bigoted, and pathetic landlord living in a dilapidated boarding house. The role allowed him to blend farce with genuine pathos. According to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, Rossiter’s portrayal was central to the show’s popularity. The series also featured strong performances from Richard Beckinsale, Frances de la Tour, and Don Warrington, creating an ensemble that elevated the material.

Reginald Perrin

• Rossiter played Reginald Perrin in the BBC black comedy The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976–1979) (BBC Two).
• The series was adapted by David Nobbs from his own novel (BBC Comedy).

Perrin is a middle-manager who fakes his own suicide to escape his mundane life. Rossiter’s performance was both hilarious and poignant, earning him critical acclaim. The show remains a classic of British comedy.

Cinzano adverts

• Rossiter appeared in a series of nine television adverts for Cinzano with Joan Collins between 1976 and 1983 (Wikipedia).

The adverts featured the pair bickering over a bottle of vermouth in various settings. Their chemistry was so convincing that many viewers assumed the bickering was real. Collins later described Rossiter as “a brilliant comedian and a lovely man to work with” (from her autobiography).

Did Leonard Rossiter like Richard Beckinsale?

On-screen partnership

• Rossiter and Beckinsale co-starred in Rising Damp as Rigsby and Alan Moore (IMDb).
• Their characters had a love-hate relationship that drove much of the comedy.

Beckinsale played the naive tenant who often outsmarted Rigsby. Rossiter respected Beckinsale’s natural acting style, according to accounts from the set. The two had a close working relationship.

Off-screen friendship

• No evidence of personal animosity exists; Beckinsale spoke warmly of Rossiter in interviews.
• Beckinsale’s sudden death in 1979 at age 31 deeply affected the cast.

Don Warrington recalled that Rossiter was visibly upset when he learned of Beckinsale’s death (interview clip). The implication: while hard evidence of a deep off-screen friendship is scarce, all indications point to mutual respect and professional harmony.

Did Leonard Rossiter and Joan Collins get on?

Cinematic chemistry

• Rossiter and Collins made nine Cinzano adverts together between 1976 and 1983 (Wikipedia).
• The adverts were directed by Alan Parker and became cultural touchstones.

Their on-screen bickering was carefully scripted, but the natural rapport was real. Collins said in her autobiography that Rossiter was “a brilliant comedian and a lovely man to work with.”

Behind the scenes

• Collins described Rossiter as a perfectionist who rehearsed tirelessly.
• They remained friendly after the adverts ended.

There is no record of any conflict. The scripted arguments were a testament to their acting skills. The pattern: The adverts succeeded because Rossiter and Collins genuinely enjoyed working together, translating that into comedic gold.

Why was “Rising Damp” so popular?

Character comedy

• Rigsby is one of television’s great comic creations — a pathetic, bigoted, yet oddly sympathetic landlord.
• Rossiter’s physical comedy and timing made the character unforgettable (Museum of Broadcast Communications).

The show’s humour came from the clash between Rigsby’s pretensions and his squalid surroundings.

Social commentary

• Rising Damp tackled issues of class, race, and sexism through its comedy.
• The character of Philip (Don Warrington) was a black medical student — a rare positive representation in 1970s TV.

The show addressed prejudice without being preachy, using Rigsby’s bigotry as a source of humour and critique.

Ensemble cast

• Alongside Rossiter, the cast included Richard Beckinsale, Frances de la Tour, and Don Warrington.
• Each character represented a different social archetype, creating rich dynamics.

The chemistry between the four actors was central to the show’s success. Why this matters: Rising Damp remains a classic because it combined laugh-out-loud farce with genuine social relevance, anchored by Rossiter’s magnetic performance.

What was Leonard Rossiter like as a person?

Professional reputation

• Colleagues described Rossiter as intense, dedicated, and a perfectionist (Screenonline (British Film Institute)).
• He was known for rigorous rehearsal and attention to detail.

Frances de la Tour recalled that Rossiter was “very intense but utterly professional” (interview with The Guardian).

Personal anecdotes

• Off-stage, Rossiter was reportedly more reserved and less manic than his characters.
• He was a devoted father to his daughter Camilla.

Despite his intense on-screen persona, those who knew him described a quiet, thoughtful man off-camera. The catch: The man who played larger-than-life characters was in private far more subdued, a contrast that surprised many who met him.

Timeline: Key moments in Leonard Rossiter’s life

• 1926: Born in Liverpool (Wikipedia)
• 1953: Began acting career after working in insurance (Screenonline)
• 1974: Rising Damp premieres on ITV (IMDb)
• 1976: First Cinzano advert with Joan Collins (Wikipedia)
• 1979: The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin ends (BBC Comedy)
• 1984: Dies on stage at the Lyric Theatre (Wikipedia)

The pattern: Rossiter’s career trajectory from insurance clerk to TV legend is a classic showbiz story, with the peak years concentrated in the 1970s.

What we know and what remains unclear

What his colleagues said

“He was a brilliant comedian and a lovely man to work with.”

Joan Collins, from her autobiography

“He was very intense but utterly professional.”

Frances de la Tour, in an interview with The Guardian

“Richard Beckinsale always seemed so natural in his acting, and it’s sad…”

Don Warrington, on learning of Beckinsale’s death (interview clip)

For actors in British television today, the lesson from Rossiter is clear: bring rigorous craft to every role, but allow the character’s vulnerability to shine through — that is the secret to creating a truly iconic portrayal. For fans of classic sitcoms, his legacy is secure: his performances remain as fresh and funny as ever, which is why Rossiter’s work still finds new audiences decades later.

For a deeper look into his working relationships, readers can explore co-star insights and career details that further examine his on-screen dynamics.

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