John Barron (24 December 1920 – 3 July 2004) was an English actor. Born in London, Barron was interested in acting from an early age. For his 18th birthday his godfather paid his entry fee to RADA. After serving in the Royal Navy in the Second World War, he returned to stage acting. In the 1950s he moved into a directorial role, during which time he came to know Leonard Rossiter. From the mid 1950s, he became more involved in television, and then film. Between 1978 and 1982 he served as the president of the Equity. During his long career, he appeared in such popular series as The Avengers, Emergency Ward 10, All Gas and Gaiters, The Saint, Department S, Doomwatch, Timeslip, Potter, Whoops Apocalypse and Yes Minister. Although he had long-running roles in popular dramas like the police series Softly, Softly (where he played the assistant chief constable between 1967-9), almost certainly his best known role was as "CJ" in the situation comedy The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, which began in 1976. As the character CJ, which stood for Charles Jefferson, Barron was famous for delivering catchphrases that revealed what an incompetent boss CJ was. Some classic examples are: "I didn't get where I am today by shaking hands with the person on my right!" "I didn't get where I am today wondering what life's all about." "I didn't get where I am today by touching everybody!" "I didn't get where I am today by throwing money into the hands of overpaid lawyers." Barron remained active in the acting profession for many years before his death at the age of 83. His one hobby was enjoying fine wine, a hobby he inspired his friend Leonard Rossiter to also take up.
