Parkinson began his career in December 1957, appearing in
The Imperial Nightingale at the
Birmingham Repertory Theatre, then joined the company at the
Belgrade Theatre in his native Coventry. He made his first film appearance as the jeweller's assistant in
Billy Liar (1963), followed by such titles as
The Family Way (1966),
They Came from Beyond Space (1967),
Twisted Nerve (1968),
Catch Me a Spy (1971),
Alfie Darling (1975) and
George and Mildred (1980). His TV appearances included roles in ''
Dad's Army, It Ain't Half Hot Mum, Terry and June, The Young Ones, The Kenny Everett Television Show, Thriller, Shelley, The Dick Emery Show, On the Buses, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?'',
The Gaffer (TV series), (as the Vicar, in 'The Candidate' episode), and
The Liver Birds. He also played Desmond, the love interest of Miss Jones, in
Rising Damp and a taxi driver in
The Professionals (series 2, episode 8:
A Stirring of Dust). In addition, he narrated and provided voices for the ITV television series
Button Moon. ==Personal life and death==