Archie Duncan (26 May 1914 – 24 July 1979) was a Scottish actor born in Glasgow.
Duncan's father was a regimental sergeant major in the army and his mother was a postmistress. He attended Glasgow's Govan High School and worked as a welder in Glasgow shipyards for a decade.
He began his career in repertory theatre and West End plays. His professional acting debut was in Juno and the Paycock in May 1944 at the Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow.
Although he appeared in over 50 television series and movie roles, he is best remembered for Inspector Lestrade in the 1954 series Sherlock Holmes: 960 and Little John in The Adventures of Robin Hood from 1955 to 1959.
Duncan was replaced in the Little John role by Rufus Cruikshank for 10 episodes after Duncan was injured when a horse bolted toward spectators, mostly children, watching the location filming of the episode "Checkmate" on 20 April 1955. He grabbed the bridle, stopping the horse, but the cart it was pulling ran over him causing a fractured kneecap and cuts and bruises. He received the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct and £1,360 in damages from Sapphire films.
He also played the ditch digger in the 1969 film Ring of Bright Water who dispatched the star otter Mij with his spade, towards the end.
On 24 July 1979, aged 65, Duncan died at his London home.
1975
as Gordon
1969
as Road mender
1967
as Supt. Barnes
1966
1965
1964
as Muldoon Marley
1963
as Sir Lamorak
1963
as U.S.A.F. General
1962
as Inspector
1961
as MacDonald
1960
as Hamish MacLean
1960
as Scoggins
1959
1959
as Keating
1959
as Duncan MacBean
1959
as Pat Cudahy
1958
as Woolsey
1957
as Robert de Baudricourt
1956
as Sgt. Yeardye
1955
as Little John
1955
as Little John
1954
1954
as Inspektor Lestrade
1954
as Nolly Dukes
1953
as Dugal MacGregor
1953
as Jim Fenton
1953
as Police Sergeant
1953
as Chief Inspector
1952
as Walter Hardie
1952
as Constable
1952
as Red Gill
1952
as Station Sergeant (uncredited)
1952
as Police Constable
1951
as Constable Pettigrew
1951
as Angus
1950
as Bull
1949
as John Murray