Bernard Bresslaw

Description

Bernard Bresslaw (born Stepney, London, February 25 1934 - Enfield, June 11 1993) was an English actor who was trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is best known for his comedy work, especially as a member of the Carry On team. His catchphrase, in his strong Cockney accent, was 'I only arsked' (sic), first used in The Army Game, and later revived in Carry On Camping (1969). He was a very tall man, exactly 6' 7" (2.01 m), the biggest of the Carry On team, head-and-shoulders over fellow Carry On regular, Barbara Windsor, who is 4'10" (1.47 m). Bernard and English comedian Maureen Lipman teamed up as screen husband and wife to front the BT (British Telecom) adverts in the late 1980s. He was married to dancer Betty Wright from 1959 until his death, and they had three sons (James, Mark and Jonathon). He died after collapsing in his dressing room at the Open Air Theatre in Regents Park, London, where he was to play Grumio in the New Shakespeare Company's production of Taming of...