Kenneth Williams Biography

Kenneth Williams was a popular British comedian who was one of the main ensemble in 26 of the 31 Carry On films, and appeared in numerous TV shows and radio comedies He was interested in theatre as a boy, but was discouraged from pursuing it by his working class parents. He served in the survey section of the British army during WWII. He used to be part of the Combined Services Entertainment group. After the war, he continued to act in repertory theatres and performed throughout the country. He aspired to be a serious actor who could do dramatic roles, but soon discovered he did not have the aptitude for it. However, his quick wit and repartees made people laugh. With radio shows such as ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ and ‘Beyond Our Ken’, he became a household name. The segment, ‘Julian and Sandy’ became immensely popular. He appeared in many popular West End revues notably, ‘Share My Lettuce’, ‘Pieces of Eight’, and ‘One Over the Eight’. Williams is remembered for his performances in the ‘Carry On’ series of films in which he was a regular actor for two decades. The films were low-budget slapstick comedies with parodies and double-meaning dialogues, and enjoyed commercial success. He became famous for his flaring nostrils and shrill voice. The actor himself did not think much of them. After his association with the franchise ended, he switched to television.