It’s sad to have to relate one, never mind two sad deaths. Ken Campbell - influential playwright, director, comedian, actor and science fiction fan with more than a couple of awards under his belt - passed away on Sunday August 31st, aged 66.
He was probably best known for his role in In Sickness and [...]
Ken Campbell Dies
Geoffrey Perkins Tribute
It was a shock to read of the loss of influential comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins in such sad circumstances on Friday.
As a former BBC TV Head of Comedy, Perkins was involved with many hits, such as The Catherine Tate Show and The Fast Show, as well as earlier involvement on the radio with The Hitchiker’s [...]
RIP Bill Cotton
[singlepic=70,320,240,,right]It’s a pity to have to relate the passing of Sir Bill Cotton, one of the biggest and most influential figures in BBC history.
I suppose you could say that this chap is one of the reasons that sites like Quintessential Comedy exist.
Without his commitment, show’s like Morecambe & Wise would never have had the massive [...]
Hugh Lloyd
[singlepic=58,320,240,,right]British character actor Hugh Lloyd has sadly died aged 85. The actor was best known for appearing opposite Tony Hancock as a multitude of characters in the classic sitcom Hancock’s Half Hour in 1960-61, as well as partnering Terry Scott in Hugh and I from 1962-1968.
His later career mixed appearances in comedy series [...]
George Carlin RIP
Not British, but very nearly Quintessential, George Carlin was an American standup comic best known to international audiences as Rufus in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure back in 1989.
His recent death has reminded comedy fans of the “Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television” routine, plus hosting the first ever Saturday Night Live while high [...]
Farewell, Humph
[singlepic=17,320,240,,right]It’s with a sad heart that I relate the news of Humphrey Lyttleton’s passing. The jazz musician extraordinaire and host of the long running “antidote to panel games” I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue passed away yesterday at the age of 86, following surgery for an aortic aneurysm.
Lyttleton was born into the landed gentry, but [...]
RIP Brian Wilde
Sadly the death was announced today of actor Brian Wilde, who appeared in British comedy serials for over 30 years.
As co-star in Porridge, Wilde appeared as the “nice” prison officer Mr Barraclough opposite Ronnie Barker, Richard Beckinsale and Fulton Mackay.
However he was marginally more famous for his role as Foggy in Last of the Summer [...]
