Who was Bernard Bresslaw? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In February

Died At Age: 59

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Betty Wright

children: James Bresslaw, Jonathan Bresslaw, Mark Bresslaw, Mark Bresslaw and Jonathan Bresslaw

Jewish Comedians Actors

Height: 6'7" (201 cm), 6'7" Males

Died on: June 11, 1993

place of death: Regent's Park, London, England,

City: London, England

Cause of Death: Heart Attack

More Facts

education: Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art

awards: Most Promising Newcomer Variety Club of Great Britain

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Film & Television Career

Bernard Bresslaw appeared in several movies during the 1950s, such as ‘Blood of the Vampire’, ‘Too Many Crooks’ and ‘The Ugly Duckling’. After appearing in the sitcom ‘The Army Game’, he was cast as William Singer in ITV’s ‘Our House’. In 1964, the actor had a role in the series ‘Danger Man’. A year later, he joined the team of the ‘Carry On’ film franchise, initially appearing in ‘Carry On Cowboy’. In the ensuing years, Bresslaw featured in other ‘Carry On’ movies, such as ‘Carry On Screaming!’, ‘Carry On Doctor’ and ‘Carry On Camping’.

In 1970, Bresslaw played an angry lorry driver in ‘Spring and Port Wine’. That year, he also did the film ‘Carry On Up the Jungle’. This was followed by his performances in ‘Carry On Matron’, ‘Carry On Abroad’, ‘Carry On Girls’ and ‘Carry On Dick’. In 1975, the actor starred as Fan Choy in ‘One of Our Dinosaurs is Missing’, a comedy flick about the robbery of a dinosaur skeleton from a museum. Two years later, he featured in Terry Gilliam’s ‘Jabberwocky’.

Following a role in ‘The Fifth Musketeer’, Bresslaw featured in the sword and sorcery adventure movie ‘Hawk the Slayer,’ which was released in 1980. Four years later, he appeared in six episodes of the series ‘Mann's Best Friends’. In 1987, he did the children’s series ‘The Book Tower’. This was followed by his role as Rabbi Hartmann in the comedy film ‘Leon the Pig Farmer’.

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Stage Career

Bernard Bresslaw worked with a number of theatrical companies during his stage career, such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Young Vic Theatre Company. In 1987, he played Mephistopheles in the production of ‘Doctor Faustus.’ During the 1990s, he acted as the genie in the famous play ‘Aladdin’ at Theatre Royal, Newcastle. One of his last theatre performances was in ‘Twelfth Night.’

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Music Career

Bernard Bresslaw recorded several songs during his lifetime. His song "You Need Feet" was used in the Rutles' TV special. He had also performed other songs including “I Found a Hole", “The Teenager's Lament" and “What Do We Do in the Army?”

Family & Personal Life

Bresslaw was born on 25 February 1934 in Stepney, London. He had two siblings. He studied at Coopers' Company's School and later attended Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

In 1959, Bresslaw married dancer Betty Wright and fathered three sons: Jonathan, James and Mark. On 11 June 1993, the actor suffered a sudden heart attack and collapsed in his dressing room where he was getting ready for the play ‘Taming of the Shrew.’ He died immediately.

Bernard Bresslaw Biography