James Martin (Scottish actor)
Updated: 12/11/2025, 5:34:27 PM Wikipedia source
James Rooney Martin BEM (13 March 1931 – 18 February 2025) was a Scottish film and television actor. He is best known for playing Eric in the sitcom Still Game, in which he was one of the few actors who was actually an old age pensioner. Prior to acting, Martin served in the Royal Navy from 1949 until 1956 before joining the Royal Navy Reserves.
Infobox
Born
(1931-03-13)13 March 1931Glasgow, Scotland
Died
18 February 2025(2025-02-18) (aged 93)Edinburgh, Scotland
Occupation
Actor
Years active
1967, 1972–2018
Known for
Still Game (2002–2019)
Tables
· Filmography
1985
Why Do They Call It Good Friday?
Role(s)
Workman
1989
The Justice Game
Role(s)
Clerk of Court
1990
Taggart
Role(s)
Gas Worker
2000
Donovan Quick
Role(s)
Elderly man
2002
Living in Hope
Role(s)
Sickie
Taggart
Role(s)
Paul
2002–2019
Role(s)
Still Game
Notes
Eric
2003
Solid Air
Role(s)
Todd
2008
Taggart
Role(s)
Billy Watson
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Maggie | Minister | |
| 1983 | Skorpion | Fraser | |
| 1983 | King's Royal | Distillery foreman | |
| 1985 | Why Do They Call It Good Friday? | Workman | |
| 1988 | Taggart | Steve Gooch | |
| 1989 | The Justice Game | Clerk of Court | |
| 1990 | Taggart | Gas Worker | |
| 1991 | The Advocates | Office runner | |
| 1991 | Bunch of Fives | Priest | |
| 1995 | Doctor Finlay | Mr. McNeal | |
| 1996 | Screen One | Sheriff | |
| 1999–2000 | Barmy Aunt Boomerang | Grandpa | |
| 2000 | Donovan Quick | Elderly man | |
| 2001 | Monarch of the Glen | Robbie | |
| 2002 | Living in Hope | Sickie | |
| 2002 | Taggart | Paul | |
| 2002–2019 | Still Game | Eric | Series regular 47 episodes |
| 2003 | Solid Air | Todd | |
| 2008 | Taggart | Billy Watson | |
| 2010 | How Not to Live Your Life | Charity Shop worker | |
| 2011 | Rab C. Nesbitt | Jackie | |
| 2014 | Lovesick | Neighbour |
References
- Issuuhttps://issuu.com/royalblindisite/docs/the_bugle_-_winter_2020/s/12608397
- Glasgow Timeshttps://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/16089090.still-game-character-leaving-the-hit-bbc-comedy-revealed/
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4ly8n0eepo
- The London Gazettehttps://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/64423/supplement/B30
- East Lothian Courierhttps://web.archive.org/web/20241110183535/https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/24702846.james-martin-still-game-presented-british-empire-medal/
- "Tributes paid as Still Game 'Eric' star Jimmy Martin passes away"https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24945071.tributes-paid-still-game-eric-star-jimmy-martin-passes-away/
- theedinburghreporter.co.ukhttps://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2025/03/funeral-of-james-martin-bem-still-games-auld-eric-held-in-edinburgh/
- Daily Recordhttps://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/family-legendary-still-game-star-34719779