Kenneth Connor

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Kenneth Connor (6 June 1918 – 28 November 1993) was a British actor famous for the Carry On film series and for many TV and stage roles. He built a long career in theatre, films, radio and television, becoming a well-known face in British entertainment.

Early life
Connor was born in Highbury, Islington, London, the son of a naval petty officer who organized concert parties. He first appeared on stage as a two-year-old organ-grinder’s monkey in a show and had his own act by age 11. He studied at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where he won a Gold Medal. His professional debut came in 1936 in J. M. Barrie’s The Boy David at His Majesty’s Theatre in London.

World War II and early career
During the war, Connor served as an infantry gunner with the Middlesex Regiment. He kept acting by touring with the Stars in Battledress concert party and with ENSA. After the war he joined the Bristol Old Vic, where he gained a solid grounding in classic theatre. He later moved to the London stage, taking on both dramatic and comic roles.

Career highlights
Connor joined the Old Vic company for a 1947–48 season and appeared in Saint Joan and The Government Inspector. He then began to focus on comedy. He took over Ted Ray’s radio show Ray’s a Laugh in 1949 and later worked on TV with Ted Ray. This led to major screen work, including carrying a prominent role in the Carry On film series from Carry On Sergeant (1958) and appearing in many later Carry On titles. He also appeared on stage in shows like One Over the Eight and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and he directed when the London show went on tour. Connor worked in television and radio for decades, including Dad’s Army-related projects, Parsley Sidings, Rentaghost, ’Allo ’Allo!, Hi-de-Hi! and Blackadder the Third. His voice and timing made him a popular figure in British comedy.

Later life and honors
In 1991, Connor was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to entertainment. He continued working into the early 1990s, with his final TV appearance on Noel Edmonds’ Telly Addicts. His last acting role was in The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, broadcast after his death in 1994.

Personal life
Connor married Margaret Knox in 1942. They had a son, Jeremy, who also worked as an actor.

Selected filmography
- Carry On Sergeant (1958)
- Carry On Nurse (1959)
- Carry On Teacher (1959)
- What a Carve Up! (What a Carve Up!) (1961)
- The Ladykillers (1955) (uncredited taxi driver)
- Carry On Cruising (1962)
- Carry On Cabby (1963)
- Carry On Henry (1971)
- Carry On Emmannuelle (1978)
- ’Allo ’Allo! (TV, 1984–1992)
- Rentaghost (TV, 1982–1984)
- Hi-de-Hi! (TV, 1986–1988)

Kenneth Connor’s career spanned stage, film, radio and television, making him a familiar and beloved figure in British entertainment for many decades.