Kenneth Connor - Revision history

Kurt: /* Career */

2024-07-19T01:01:21Z

Career

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:01, 18 July 2024
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	He moved on to the London [[Old Vic\|Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[The Government Inspector\|The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[Alec Guinness\|Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[Queen Elizabeth Slept Here\|Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.		He moved on to the London [[Old Vic\|Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[The Government Inspector\|The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[Alec Guinness\|Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[Queen Elizabeth Slept Here\|Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.

	He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.		He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''[[Ray's a Laugh]]'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.

	On occasion, he appeared in ''[[The Goon Show]]'', standing in for regular cast members struck down by illness. He also appeared in the anarchic, Goon-style TV series ''[[The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d]]'' (1956) and ''[[A Show Called Fred]]'' (1956).		On occasion, he appeared in ''[[The Goon Show]]'', standing in for regular cast members struck down by illness. He also appeared in the anarchic, Goon-style TV series ''[[The Idiot Weekly, Price 2d]]'' (1956) and ''[[A Show Called Fred]]'' (1956).

Kurt at 03:49, 30 March 2023

2023-03-30T03:49:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 29 March 2023
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	~~{{short description\|English actor}}~~
	~~{{EngvarB\|date=June 2014}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2014}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|MBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|MBE}}
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	\| caption = Publicity photo of Connor from 1959		\| caption = Publicity photo of Connor from 1959
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1918\|6\|6\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1918\|6\|6\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[~~w:Highbury\|~~Highbury]], London, England		\| birth_place = [[Highbury]], London, England
	\| death_date = {{nowrap\|{{death date and age\|1993\|11\|28\|1918\|7\|7\|df=y}}}}		\| death_date = {{nowrap\|{{death date and age\|1993\|11\|28\|1918\|7\|7\|df=y}}}}
	\| death_place = [[~~w:South Harrow\|~~South Harrow]], London, England		\| death_place = [[South Harrow]], London, England
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor
	\| years_active = 1920–1993		\| years_active = 1920–1993
	\| known_for = [[Carry On (film series)\|''Carry On'' films]]<br/>''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''		\| known_for = [[Carry On (film series)\|''Carry On'' films]]<br/>''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Margaret Knox ~~<br>~~\|1942}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|Margaret Knox\|1942}}
	\| resting_place = Breakspear Crematorium, [[~~w:Ruislip\|~~Ruislip]], London, England		\| resting_place = Breakspear Crematorium, [[Ruislip]], London, England
	\| children = 1		\| children = 1
	}}		}}
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Connor was born in [[w:Highbury\|Highbury]], [[w:London Borough of Islington\|Islington]], London, the son of a naval [[w:petty officer\|petty officer]] who organised concert parties.<ref name="ODNB"/> He first appeared on the stage at the age of two as an [[w:organ-grinder\|organ-grinder]]'s monkey in one of his father's shows, in [[w:Portsmouth\|Portsmouth]]. By the age of 11 he had his own act. He attended the [[w:Central School of Speech and Drama\|Central School of Speech and Drama]], where he was a Gold Medal winner. Connor made his professional debut in [[w:J. M. Barrie\|J. M. Barrie]]'s ''The Boy David'', at [[w:Her Majesty's Theatre\|His Majesty's Theatre]], London, in December 1936.		Connor was born in [[Highbury\|Highbury]], [[London Borough of Islington\|Islington]], London, the son of a naval [[petty officer\|petty officer]] who organised concert parties.<ref name="ODNB"/> He first appeared on the stage at the age of two as an [[organ-grinder\|organ-grinder]]'s monkey in one of his father's shows, in [[Portsmouth\|Portsmouth]]. By the age of 11 he had his own act. He attended the [[Central School of Speech and Drama\|Central School of Speech and Drama]], where he was a Gold Medal winner. Connor made his professional debut in [[J. M. Barrie\|J. M. Barrie]]'s ''The Boy David'', at [[Her Majesty's Theatre\|His Majesty's Theatre]], London, in December 1936.

	During the [[w:Second World War\|Second World War]] he served as an infantry gunner with the [[w:Middlesex Regiment\|Middlesex Regiment]], but continued acting by touring Italy and the Middle East with the [[w:Stars in Battledress\|Stars in Battledress]] concert party and [[w:ENSA\|ENSA]]. Earlier in the war, in 1941, he was apparently performing as a comedic entertainer in a concert party named the "Tam o Shanter's", as evidenced by a programme from the concert at the Summer Theatre at [[w:Felixstowe\|Felixstowe]], dated Saturday 5 July 1941. The full cast autographed the programme, suggesting a final performance for the concert party, with Kenneth signing it "All the best Ken Connor". While waiting to be demobbed in [[w:Cairo\|Cairo]], Connor received a [[w:telegram\|telegram]] from [[w:William Devlin (actor)\|William Devlin]] asking him to join the newly formed [[w:Bristol Old Vic\|Bristol Old Vic]], where he gained a solid grounding in the classics.		During the [[Second World War\|Second World War]] he served as an infantry gunner with the [[Middlesex Regiment\|Middlesex Regiment]], but continued acting by touring Italy and the Middle East with the [[Stars in Battledress\|Stars in Battledress]] concert party and [[ENSA\|ENSA]]. Earlier in the war, in 1941, he was apparently performing as a comedic entertainer in a concert party named the "Tam o Shanter's", as evidenced by a programme from the concert at the Summer Theatre at [[Felixstowe\|Felixstowe]], dated Saturday 5 July 1941. The full cast autographed the programme, suggesting a final performance for the concert party, with Kenneth signing it "All the best Ken Connor". While waiting to be demobbed in [[Cairo\|Cairo]], Connor received a [[telegram\|telegram]] from [[William Devlin (actor)\|William Devlin]] asking him to join the newly formed [[Bristol Old Vic\|Bristol Old Vic]], where he gained a solid grounding in the classics.

	==Career==		==Career==
	He moved on to the London [[w:Old Vic\|Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[w:Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[w:Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[w:The Government Inspector\|The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[w:Alec Guinness\|Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[w:Queen Elizabeth Slept Here\|Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.		He moved on to the London [[Old Vic\|Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[The Government Inspector\|The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[Alec Guinness\|Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[Queen Elizabeth Slept Here\|Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.

	He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.		He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.
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	Connor gained a small role in the film ''[[The Ladykillers (1955 film)\|The Ladykillers]]'' (1955) as a taxi driver. In 1958, he was cast in the first ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Sergeant]]'', and became one of the regular cast in the series, appearing in seventeen of the original thirty films and many of the associated television productions. Alongside [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Eric Barker]], Connor was one of only three actors to appear in both the first and last of the original sequence of ''Carry On'' films (''Carry On Sergeant'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'').		Connor gained a small role in the film ''[[The Ladykillers (1955 film)\|The Ladykillers]]'' (1955) as a taxi driver. In 1958, he was cast in the first ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Sergeant]]'', and became one of the regular cast in the series, appearing in seventeen of the original thirty films and many of the associated television productions. Alongside [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Eric Barker]], Connor was one of only three actors to appear in both the first and last of the original sequence of ''Carry On'' films (''Carry On Sergeant'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'').

	In his earlier ''Carry On'' appearances, Connor frequently played the romantic lead or other sympathetic roles (typically with an element of comically neurotic anxiety), while later appearances saw him play less sympathetic characters such as married men with wandering eyes who made lascivious remarks. In ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), his real-life son Jeremy appeared as his character Bernie Bishop's son. In 1961, he starred with fellow ''Carry On'' stars [[Sid James]] and [[Esma Cannon]] in the comedy film ''[[What a Carve Up! (film)\|What a Carve Up!]]'' In fact, in the 1959–61 period, he was one of the most prominent leading men in British comedy films. As well as ''What a Carve Up!'' and the ''Carry On'' films, other films he starred in during this period included ''[[Watch Your Stern]]'' (1960), ''[[Nearly a Nasty Accident]]'' (1961) and the ''[[Dentist in the Chair\|Dentist]]'' films. In 1960, he did the voices of the horse and dog in the ''[[w:Four Feather Falls\|Four Feather Falls]]'' puppet series.		In his earlier ''Carry On'' appearances, Connor frequently played the romantic lead or other sympathetic roles (typically with an element of comically neurotic anxiety), while later appearances saw him play less sympathetic characters such as married men with wandering eyes who made lascivious remarks. In ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), his real-life son Jeremy appeared as his character Bernie Bishop's son. In 1961, he starred with fellow ''Carry On'' stars [[Sid James]] and [[Esma Cannon]] in the comedy film ''[[What a Carve Up! (film)\|What a Carve Up!]]'' In fact, in the 1959–61 period, he was one of the most prominent leading men in British comedy films. As well as ''What a Carve Up!'' and the ''Carry On'' films, other films he starred in during this period included ''[[Watch Your Stern]]'' (1960), ''[[Nearly a Nasty Accident]]'' (1961) and the ''[[Dentist in the Chair\|Dentist]]'' films. In 1960, he did the voices of the horse and dog in the ''[[Four Feather Falls\|Four Feather Falls]]'' puppet series.

	Connor had a good tenor voice, which he occasionally used to good effect, such as in the 1962 movie ''[[Carry On Cruising]]''.		Connor had a good tenor voice, which he occasionally used to good effect, such as in the 1962 movie ''[[Carry On Cruising]]''.

	In contrast with some of his ''Carry On'' co-stars, Connor found further success on the London stage. He starred in the revue ''[[w:One Over The Eight\|One Over The Eight]]'' (1962), at the [[w:Duke of York's Theatre\|Duke of York's Theatre]], the original London West End production with [[Frankie Howerd]] of the [[w:Stephen Sondheim\|Stephen Sondheim]] musical ''[[w:A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum\|A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1963), as Hysterium – and directed the show when it went on tour – ''The Four Musketeers'' (1967), with [[Harry Secombe]] at the [[w:Theatre Royal, Drury Lane\|Theatre Royal]], playing King Louis XIII, and the revue ''[[Carry On series on screen and stage#Stage shows\|Carry On London]]'' (1973) at the [[w:Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]].		In contrast with some of his ''Carry On'' co-stars, Connor found further success on the London stage. He starred in the revue ''[[One Over The Eight\|One Over The Eight]]'' (1962), at the [[Duke of York's Theatre\|Duke of York's Theatre]], the original London West End production with [[Frankie Howerd]] of the [[Stephen Sondheim\|Stephen Sondheim]] musical ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum\|A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1963), as Hysterium – and directed the show when it went on tour – ''The Four Musketeers'' (1967), with [[Harry Secombe]] at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane\|Theatre Royal]], playing King Louis XIII, and the revue ''[[Carry On series on screen and stage#Stage shows\|Carry On London]]'' (1973) at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]].

	Between 1971 and 1973, Connor joined ''[[Dad's Army]]'' stars [[Arthur Lowe]] and [[Ian Lavender]] in the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] radio comedy ''[[Parsley Sidings]]''. On television, he appeared in ''[[w:The Black and White Minstrel Show\|The Black and White Minstrel Show]]'', as Whatsisname Smith in the children's show ''[[w:Rentaghost\|Rentaghost]]'' (1983–84), and as [[Monsieur Alfonse]] in ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (1984–1992) and Uncle Sammy Morris in ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1986–88). He also made guest appearances in sitcoms including ''[[That's My Boy (1981 TV series)\|That's My Boy]]'' and ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' and he also appeared in the episode "[[Sense and Senility]]" of ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'' in 1987, alongside fellow veteran comic star [[Hugh Paddick]].		Between 1971 and 1973, Connor joined ''[[Dad's Army]]'' stars [[Arthur Lowe]] and [[Ian Lavender]] in the [[BBC\|BBC]] radio comedy ''[[Parsley Sidings]]''. On television, he appeared in ''[[The Black and White Minstrel Show\|The Black and White Minstrel Show]]'', as Whatsisname Smith in the children's show ''[[Rentaghost\|Rentaghost]]'' (1983–84), and as [[Monsieur Alfonse]] in ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (1984–1992) and Uncle Sammy Morris in ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1986–88). He also made guest appearances in sitcoms including ''[[That's My Boy (1981 TV series)\|That's My Boy]]'' and ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' and he also appeared in the episode "[[Sense and Senility]]" of ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'' in 1987, alongside fellow veteran comic star [[Hugh Paddick]].

	In 1991, he was honoured by the Queen with appointment as a Member of the [[w:Order of the British Empire\|Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).		In 1991, he was honoured by the Queen with appointment as a Member of the [[Order of the British Empire\|Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).

	He was still working just two days before his death, with an appearance on ''[[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]' [[w:Telly Addicts\|Telly Addicts]]''. His final TV appearance, as Mr Warren in ''[[w:The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' episode ''[[w:The Adventure of the Red Circle\|The Adventure of the Red Circle]]'', was broadcast posthumously in 1994.		He was still working just two days before his death, with an appearance on ''[[Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]' [[Telly Addicts\|Telly Addicts]]''. His final TV appearance, as Mr Warren in ''[[The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' episode ''[[The Adventure of the Red Circle\|The Adventure of the Red Circle]]'', was broadcast posthumously in 1994.

	==Death==		==Death==
	Connor died at the age of 75 from the effects of cancer at his home in [[w:London Borough of Harrow\|Harrow]] in [[w:Middlesex\|Middlesex]] on 28 November 1993.<ref name="ODNB"/><ref>[https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12708057.kenneth-connor/ "Kenneth Connor"]. ''[[w:The Herald (Scotland)\|The Herald]]'' (29 November 1993). Retrieved 28 September 2020.</ref> His body was cremated at Breakspear Crematorium in [[w:Ruislip\|Ruislip]], Middlesex.		Connor died at the age of 75 from the effects of cancer at his home in [[London Borough of Harrow\|Harrow]] in [[Middlesex\|Middlesex]] on 28 November 1993.<ref name="ODNB"/><ref>[https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12708057.kenneth-connor/ "Kenneth Connor"]. ''[[The Herald (Scotland)\|The Herald]]'' (29 November 1993). Retrieved 28 September 2020.</ref> His body was cremated at Breakspear Crematorium in [[Ruislip\|Ruislip]], Middlesex.

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==
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	\|1975 \|\| ''[[Carry On Laughing]]'' \|\| Various		\|1975 \|\| ''[[Carry On Laughing]]'' \|\| Various
	\|-		\|-
	\|1983 to 1984 \|\| ''[[w:Rentaghost\|Rentaghost]]'' \|\| Whatsisname Smith		\|1983 to 1984 \|\| ''[[Rentaghost\|Rentaghost]]'' \|\| Whatsisname Smith
	\|-		\|-
	\|1984 to 1992 \|\| ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' \|\| [[Monsieur Alfonse]]		\|1984 to 1992 \|\| ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' \|\| [[Monsieur Alfonse]]
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	\|1990 \|\| ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' \|\| Professor Heinrich Van Manheim		\|1990 \|\| ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' \|\| Professor Heinrich Van Manheim
	\|-		\|-
	\|1994 \|\| ''[[w:The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' \|\| Mr. Warren		\|1994 \|\| ''[[The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' \|\| Mr. Warren
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

Kurt: /* External links */

2023-01-10T04:48:27Z

External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:48, 9 January 2023
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	==External links==		==External links==
	* {{IMDb name\|0175427}}		* {{IMDb name\|0175427}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Connor, Kenneth}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Connor, Kenneth}}
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	[[Category:1993 deaths]]		[[Category:1993 deaths]]
	[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]		[[Category:20th-century English male actors]]
	~~[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]~~
	[[Category:English male child actors]]		[[Category:English male child actors]]
	[[Category:English male film actors]]		[[Category:English male film actors]]

Kurt: /* References */

2022-08-22T22:13:56Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:13, 22 August 2022
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	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}
	~~4 Summer Theatre, Ranelagh Gardens, Felixstowe - Saturday July 5th 1941~~

	==External links==		==External links==

Kurt: /* Career */

2022-08-22T22:06:33Z

Career

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:06, 22 August 2022
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	==Career==		==Career==
	He moved on to the London [[Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.		He moved on to the London [[w:Old Vic\|Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[w:Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[w:Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[w:The Government Inspector\|The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[w:Alec Guinness\|Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[w:Queen Elizabeth Slept Here\|Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.

	He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.		He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.
Line 36:		Line 36:
	Connor gained a small role in the film ''[[The Ladykillers (1955 film)\|The Ladykillers]]'' (1955) as a taxi driver. In 1958, he was cast in the first ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Sergeant]]'', and became one of the regular cast in the series, appearing in seventeen of the original thirty films and many of the associated television productions. Alongside [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Eric Barker]], Connor was one of only three actors to appear in both the first and last of the original sequence of ''Carry On'' films (''Carry On Sergeant'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'').		Connor gained a small role in the film ''[[The Ladykillers (1955 film)\|The Ladykillers]]'' (1955) as a taxi driver. In 1958, he was cast in the first ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Sergeant]]'', and became one of the regular cast in the series, appearing in seventeen of the original thirty films and many of the associated television productions. Alongside [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Eric Barker]], Connor was one of only three actors to appear in both the first and last of the original sequence of ''Carry On'' films (''Carry On Sergeant'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'').

	In his earlier ''Carry On'' appearances, Connor frequently played the romantic lead or other sympathetic roles (typically with an element of comically neurotic anxiety), while later appearances saw him play less sympathetic characters such as married men with wandering eyes who made lascivious remarks. In ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), his real-life son Jeremy appeared as his character Bernie Bishop's son. In 1961, he starred with fellow ''Carry On'' stars [[Sid James]] and [[Esma Cannon]] in the comedy film ''[[What a Carve Up! (film)\|What a Carve Up!]]'' In fact, in the 1959–61 period, he was one of the most prominent leading men in British comedy films. As well as ''What a Carve Up!'' and the ''Carry On'' films, other films he starred in during this period included ''[[Watch Your Stern]]'' (1960), ''[[Nearly a Nasty Accident]]'' (1961) and the ''[[Dentist in the Chair\|Dentist]]'' films. In 1960, he did the voices of the horse and dog in the ''[[Four Feather Falls]]'' puppet series.		In his earlier ''Carry On'' appearances, Connor frequently played the romantic lead or other sympathetic roles (typically with an element of comically neurotic anxiety), while later appearances saw him play less sympathetic characters such as married men with wandering eyes who made lascivious remarks. In ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), his real-life son Jeremy appeared as his character Bernie Bishop's son. In 1961, he starred with fellow ''Carry On'' stars [[Sid James]] and [[Esma Cannon]] in the comedy film ''[[What a Carve Up! (film)\|What a Carve Up!]]'' In fact, in the 1959–61 period, he was one of the most prominent leading men in British comedy films. As well as ''What a Carve Up!'' and the ''Carry On'' films, other films he starred in during this period included ''[[Watch Your Stern]]'' (1960), ''[[Nearly a Nasty Accident]]'' (1961) and the ''[[Dentist in the Chair\|Dentist]]'' films. In 1960, he did the voices of the horse and dog in the ''[[w:Four Feather Falls\|Four Feather Falls]]'' puppet series.

	Connor had a good tenor voice, which he occasionally used to good effect, such as in the 1962 movie ''[[Carry On Cruising]]''.		Connor had a good tenor voice, which he occasionally used to good effect, such as in the 1962 movie ''[[Carry On Cruising]]''.

	In contrast with some of his ''Carry On'' co-stars, Connor found further success on the London stage. He starred in the revue ''[[One Over The Eight]]'' (1962), at the [[Duke of York's Theatre]], the original London West End production with [[Frankie Howerd]] of the [[Stephen Sondheim]] musical ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1963), as Hysterium – and directed the show when it went on tour – ''The Four Musketeers'' (1967), with [[Harry Secombe]] at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]], playing King Louis XIII, and the revue ''[[Carry On series on screen and stage#Stage shows\|Carry On London]]'' (1973) at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]].		In contrast with some of his ''Carry On'' co-stars, Connor found further success on the London stage. He starred in the revue ''[[w:One Over The Eight\|One Over The Eight]]'' (1962), at the [[w:Duke of York's Theatre\|Duke of York's Theatre]], the original London West End production with [[Frankie Howerd]] of the [[w:Stephen Sondheim\|Stephen Sondheim]] musical ''[[w:A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum\|A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1963), as Hysterium – and directed the show when it went on tour – ''The Four Musketeers'' (1967), with [[Harry Secombe]] at the [[w:Theatre Royal, Drury Lane\|Theatre Royal]], playing King Louis XIII, and the revue ''[[Carry On series on screen and stage#Stage shows\|Carry On London]]'' (1973) at the [[w:Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]].

	Between 1971 and 1973, Connor joined ''[[Dad's Army]]'' stars [[Arthur Lowe]] and [[Ian Lavender]] in the [[BBC]] radio comedy ''[[Parsley Sidings]]''. On television, he appeared in ''[[The Black and White Minstrel Show]]'', as Whatsisname Smith in the children's show ''[[Rentaghost]]'' (1983–84), and as [[Monsieur Alfonse]] in ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (1984–1992) and Uncle Sammy Morris in ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1986–88). He also made guest appearances in sitcoms including ''[[That's My Boy (1981 TV series)\|That's My Boy]]'' and ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' and he also appeared in the episode "[[Sense and Senility]]" of ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'' in 1987, alongside fellow veteran comic star [[Hugh Paddick]].		Between 1971 and 1973, Connor joined ''[[Dad's Army]]'' stars [[Arthur Lowe]] and [[Ian Lavender]] in the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] radio comedy ''[[Parsley Sidings]]''. On television, he appeared in ''[[w:The Black and White Minstrel Show\|The Black and White Minstrel Show]]'', as Whatsisname Smith in the children's show ''[[w:Rentaghost\|Rentaghost]]'' (1983–84), and as [[Monsieur Alfonse]] in ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (1984–1992) and Uncle Sammy Morris in ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1986–88). He also made guest appearances in sitcoms including ''[[That's My Boy (1981 TV series)\|That's My Boy]]'' and ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' and he also appeared in the episode "[[Sense and Senility]]" of ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'' in 1987, alongside fellow veteran comic star [[Hugh Paddick]].

	In 1991, he was honoured by the Queen with appointment as a Member of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).		In 1991, he was honoured by the Queen with appointment as a Member of the [[w:Order of the British Empire\|Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).

	He was still working just two days before his death, with an appearance on ''[[Noel Edmonds]]' [[Telly Addicts]]''. His final TV appearance, as Mr Warren in ''[[The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' episode ''[[The Adventure of the Red Circle]]'', was broadcast posthumously in 1994.		He was still working just two days before his death, with an appearance on ''[[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]' [[w:Telly Addicts\|Telly Addicts]]''. His final TV appearance, as Mr Warren in ''[[w:The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' episode ''[[w:The Adventure of the Red Circle\|The Adventure of the Red Circle]]'', was broadcast posthumously in 1994.

	==Death==		==Death==

Kurt: /* Television roles */

2022-08-22T18:34:37Z

Television roles

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:34, 22 August 2022
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	\|1975 \|\| ''[[Carry On Laughing]]'' \|\| Various		\|1975 \|\| ''[[Carry On Laughing]]'' \|\| Various
	\|-		\|-
	\|1983 to 1984 \|\| ''[[Rentaghost]]'' \|\| Whatsisname Smith		\|1983 to 1984 \|\| ''[[w:Rentaghost\|Rentaghost]]'' \|\| Whatsisname Smith
	\|-		\|-
	\|1984 to 1992 \|\| ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' \|\| [[Monsieur Alfonse]]		\|1984 to 1992 \|\| ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' \|\| [[Monsieur Alfonse]]
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	\|1990 \|\| ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' \|\| Professor Heinrich Van Manheim		\|1990 \|\| ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' \|\| Professor Heinrich Van Manheim
	\|-		\|-
	\|1994 \|\| ''[[The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' \|\| Mr. Warren		\|1994 \|\| ''[[w:The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' \|\| Mr. Warren
	\|-		\|-
	\|}		\|}

Kurt: /* Death */

2022-08-22T18:27:37Z

Death

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:27, 22 August 2022
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	==Death==		==Death==
	Connor died at the age of 75 from the effects of cancer at his home in [[London Borough of Harrow\|Harrow]] in [[Middlesex]] on 28 November 1993.<ref name="ODNB"/><ref>[https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12708057.kenneth-connor/ "Kenneth Connor"]. ''[[The Herald (Scotland)\|The Herald]]'' (29 November 1993). Retrieved 28 September 2020.</ref> His body was cremated at Breakspear Crematorium in [[Ruislip]], Middlesex.		Connor died at the age of 75 from the effects of cancer at his home in [[w:London Borough of Harrow\|Harrow]] in [[w:Middlesex\|Middlesex]] on 28 November 1993.<ref name="ODNB"/><ref>[https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12708057.kenneth-connor/ "Kenneth Connor"]. ''[[w:The Herald (Scotland)\|The Herald]]'' (29 November 1993). Retrieved 28 September 2020.</ref> His body was cremated at Breakspear Crematorium in [[w:Ruislip\|Ruislip]], Middlesex.

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==

Kurt at 17:18, 22 August 2022

2022-08-22T17:18:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:18, 22 August 2022
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	\| birth_place = [[w:Highbury\|Highbury]], London, England		\| birth_place = [[w:Highbury\|Highbury]], London, England
	\| death_date = {{nowrap\|{{death date and age\|1993\|11\|28\|1918\|7\|7\|df=y}}}}		\| death_date = {{nowrap\|{{death date and age\|1993\|11\|28\|1918\|7\|7\|df=y}}}}
	\| death_place = [[South Harrow]], London, England		\| death_place = [[w:South Harrow\|South Harrow]], London, England
	\| occupation = Actor		\| occupation = Actor
	\| years_active = 1920–1993		\| years_active = 1920–1993

Kurt at 17:17, 22 August 2022

2022-08-22T17:17:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:17, 22 August 2022
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Connor was born in [[Highbury]], [[London Borough of Islington\|Islington]], London, the son of a naval [[petty officer]] who organised concert parties.<ref name="ODNB"/> He first appeared on the stage at the age of two as an [[organ-grinder]]'s monkey in one of his father's shows, in [[Portsmouth]]. By the age of 11 he had his own act. He attended the [[Central School of Speech and Drama]], where he was a Gold Medal winner. Connor made his professional debut in [[J. M. Barrie]]'s ''The Boy David'', at [[Her Majesty's Theatre\|His Majesty's Theatre]], London, in December 1936.		Connor was born in [[w:Highbury\|Highbury]], [[w:London Borough of Islington\|Islington]], London, the son of a naval [[w:petty officer\|petty officer]] who organised concert parties.<ref name="ODNB"/> He first appeared on the stage at the age of two as an [[w:organ-grinder\|organ-grinder]]'s monkey in one of his father's shows, in [[w:Portsmouth\|Portsmouth]]. By the age of 11 he had his own act. He attended the [[w:Central School of Speech and Drama\|Central School of Speech and Drama]], where he was a Gold Medal winner. Connor made his professional debut in [[w:J. M. Barrie\|J. M. Barrie]]'s ''The Boy David'', at [[w:Her Majesty's Theatre\|His Majesty's Theatre]], London, in December 1936.

	During the [[Second World War]] he served as an infantry gunner with the [[Middlesex Regiment]], but continued acting by touring Italy and the Middle East with the [[Stars in Battledress]] concert party and [[ENSA]]. Earlier in the war, in 1941, he was apparently performing as a comedic entertainer in a concert party named the "Tam o Shanter's", as evidenced by a programme from the concert at the Summer Theatre at [[Felixstowe]], dated Saturday 5 July 1941. The full cast autographed the programme, suggesting a final performance for the concert party, with Kenneth signing it "All the best Ken Connor". While waiting to be demobbed in [[Cairo]], Connor received a [[telegram]] from [[William Devlin (actor)\|William Devlin]] asking him to join the newly formed [[Bristol Old Vic]], where he gained a solid grounding in the classics.		During the [[w:Second World War\|Second World War]] he served as an infantry gunner with the [[w:Middlesex Regiment\|Middlesex Regiment]], but continued acting by touring Italy and the Middle East with the [[w:Stars in Battledress\|Stars in Battledress]] concert party and [[w:ENSA\|ENSA]]. Earlier in the war, in 1941, he was apparently performing as a comedic entertainer in a concert party named the "Tam o Shanter's", as evidenced by a programme from the concert at the Summer Theatre at [[w:Felixstowe\|Felixstowe]], dated Saturday 5 July 1941. The full cast autographed the programme, suggesting a final performance for the concert party, with Kenneth signing it "All the best Ken Connor". While waiting to be demobbed in [[w:Cairo\|Cairo]], Connor received a [[w:telegram\|telegram]] from [[w:William Devlin (actor)\|William Devlin]] asking him to join the newly formed [[w:Bristol Old Vic\|Bristol Old Vic]], where he gained a solid grounding in the classics.

	==Career==		==Career==

Kurt at 17:13, 22 August 2022

2022-08-22T17:13:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:13, 22 August 2022
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	{{short description\|English actor}}		{{short description\|English actor}}
	~~{{for\|the engineer\|Kenneth Connor (engineer)}}~~
	{{EngvarB\|date=June 2014}}		{{EngvarB\|date=June 2014}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2014}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2014}}
	~~{{More citations needed\|date=October 2018}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|MBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|commas=on\|MBE}}
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	\| caption = Publicity photo of Connor from 1959		\| caption = Publicity photo of Connor from 1959
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1918\|6\|6\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1918\|6\|6\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Highbury]], London, England		\| birth_place = [[w:Highbury\|Highbury]], London, England
	\| death_date = {{nowrap\|{{death date and age\|1993\|11\|28\|1918\|7\|7\|df=y}}}}		\| death_date = {{nowrap\|{{death date and age\|1993\|11\|28\|1918\|7\|7\|df=y}}}}
	\| death_place = [[South Harrow]], London, England		\| death_place = [[South Harrow]], London, England
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	\| known_for = [[Carry On (film series)\|''Carry On'' films]]<br/>''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''		\| known_for = [[Carry On (film series)\|''Carry On'' films]]<br/>''[['Allo 'Allo!]]''
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Margaret Knox <br>\|1942}}		\| spouse = {{marriage\|Margaret Knox <br>\|1942}}
	\| resting_place = Breakspear Crematorium, [[Ruislip]], London, England		\| resting_place = Breakspear Crematorium, [[w:Ruislip\|Ruislip]], London, England
	\| children = 1		\| children = 1
	}}		}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:06, 22 August 2022
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	==Career==		==Career==
	He moved on to the London [[Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.		He moved on to the London [[w:Old Vic\|Old Vic]] Company for a 1947–48 season at the [[w:Noël Coward Theatre\|New Theatre]]. His most notable performances there were as Chaplain de Stogumber in ''[[w:Saint Joan (play)\|Saint Joan]]'' and Dobchinsky in ''[[w:The Government Inspector\|The Government Inspector]]'', which starred [[w:Alec Guinness\|Alec Guinness]]. Realising he was not a "tall, impressive juvenile lead or a young lover type", he decided to specialise in comedy. He appeared in [[Talbot Rothwell]]'s farce ''[[w:Queen Elizabeth Slept Here\|Queen Elizabeth Slept Here]]'' in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 1949.

	He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.		He took over from [[Peter Sellers]] in [[Ted Ray (comedian)\|Ted Ray]]'s radio show ''Ray's a Laugh'' – launched by the BBC in 1949 as a successor to [[Tommy Handley]]'s ''[[ITMA]]''. He played the brother-in-law and other oddball characters such as Sidney Mincing. Ray took Connor with him to his TV shows, and the pair would star together in the third ''[[Carry On (franchise)\|Carry On]]'' film, ''[[Carry On Teacher]]''.
Line 36:		Line 36:
	Connor gained a small role in the film ''[[The Ladykillers (1955 film)\|The Ladykillers]]'' (1955) as a taxi driver. In 1958, he was cast in the first ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Sergeant]]'', and became one of the regular cast in the series, appearing in seventeen of the original thirty films and many of the associated television productions. Alongside [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Eric Barker]], Connor was one of only three actors to appear in both the first and last of the original sequence of ''Carry On'' films (''Carry On Sergeant'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'').		Connor gained a small role in the film ''[[The Ladykillers (1955 film)\|The Ladykillers]]'' (1955) as a taxi driver. In 1958, he was cast in the first ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Sergeant]]'', and became one of the regular cast in the series, appearing in seventeen of the original thirty films and many of the associated television productions. Alongside [[Kenneth Williams]] and [[Eric Barker]], Connor was one of only three actors to appear in both the first and last of the original sequence of ''Carry On'' films (''Carry On Sergeant'' and ''[[Carry On Emmannuelle]]'').

	In his earlier ''Carry On'' appearances, Connor frequently played the romantic lead or other sympathetic roles (typically with an element of comically neurotic anxiety), while later appearances saw him play less sympathetic characters such as married men with wandering eyes who made lascivious remarks. In ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), his real-life son Jeremy appeared as his character Bernie Bishop's son. In 1961, he starred with fellow ''Carry On'' stars [[Sid James]] and [[Esma Cannon]] in the comedy film ''[[What a Carve Up! (film)\|What a Carve Up!]]'' In fact, in the 1959–61 period, he was one of the most prominent leading men in British comedy films. As well as ''What a Carve Up!'' and the ''Carry On'' films, other films he starred in during this period included ''[[Watch Your Stern]]'' (1960), ''[[Nearly a Nasty Accident]]'' (1961) and the ''[[Dentist in the Chair\|Dentist]]'' films. In 1960, he did the voices of the horse and dog in the ''[[Four Feather Falls]]'' puppet series.		In his earlier ''Carry On'' appearances, Connor frequently played the romantic lead or other sympathetic roles (typically with an element of comically neurotic anxiety), while later appearances saw him play less sympathetic characters such as married men with wandering eyes who made lascivious remarks. In ''[[Carry On Nurse]]'' (1959), his real-life son Jeremy appeared as his character Bernie Bishop's son. In 1961, he starred with fellow ''Carry On'' stars [[Sid James]] and [[Esma Cannon]] in the comedy film ''[[What a Carve Up! (film)\|What a Carve Up!]]'' In fact, in the 1959–61 period, he was one of the most prominent leading men in British comedy films. As well as ''What a Carve Up!'' and the ''Carry On'' films, other films he starred in during this period included ''[[Watch Your Stern]]'' (1960), ''[[Nearly a Nasty Accident]]'' (1961) and the ''[[Dentist in the Chair\|Dentist]]'' films. In 1960, he did the voices of the horse and dog in the ''[[w:Four Feather Falls\|Four Feather Falls]]'' puppet series.

	Connor had a good tenor voice, which he occasionally used to good effect, such as in the 1962 movie ''[[Carry On Cruising]]''.		Connor had a good tenor voice, which he occasionally used to good effect, such as in the 1962 movie ''[[Carry On Cruising]]''.

	In contrast with some of his ''Carry On'' co-stars, Connor found further success on the London stage. He starred in the revue ''[[One Over The Eight]]'' (1962), at the [[Duke of York's Theatre]], the original London West End production with [[Frankie Howerd]] of the [[Stephen Sondheim]] musical ''[[A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1963), as Hysterium – and directed the show when it went on tour – ''The Four Musketeers'' (1967), with [[Harry Secombe]] at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]], playing King Louis XIII, and the revue ''[[Carry On series on screen and stage#Stage shows\|Carry On London]]'' (1973) at the [[Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]].		In contrast with some of his ''Carry On'' co-stars, Connor found further success on the London stage. He starred in the revue ''[[w:One Over The Eight\|One Over The Eight]]'' (1962), at the [[w:Duke of York's Theatre\|Duke of York's Theatre]], the original London West End production with [[Frankie Howerd]] of the [[w:Stephen Sondheim\|Stephen Sondheim]] musical ''[[w:A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum\|A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum]]'' (1963), as Hysterium – and directed the show when it went on tour – ''The Four Musketeers'' (1967), with [[Harry Secombe]] at the [[w:Theatre Royal, Drury Lane\|Theatre Royal]], playing King Louis XIII, and the revue ''[[Carry On series on screen and stage#Stage shows\|Carry On London]]'' (1973) at the [[w:Victoria Palace Theatre\|Victoria Palace]].

	Between 1971 and 1973, Connor joined ''[[Dad's Army]]'' stars [[Arthur Lowe]] and [[Ian Lavender]] in the [[BBC]] radio comedy ''[[Parsley Sidings]]''. On television, he appeared in ''[[The Black and White Minstrel Show]]'', as Whatsisname Smith in the children's show ''[[Rentaghost]]'' (1983–84), and as [[Monsieur Alfonse]] in ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (1984–1992) and Uncle Sammy Morris in ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1986–88). He also made guest appearances in sitcoms including ''[[That's My Boy (1981 TV series)\|That's My Boy]]'' and ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' and he also appeared in the episode "[[Sense and Senility]]" of ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'' in 1987, alongside fellow veteran comic star [[Hugh Paddick]].		Between 1971 and 1973, Connor joined ''[[Dad's Army]]'' stars [[Arthur Lowe]] and [[Ian Lavender]] in the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] radio comedy ''[[Parsley Sidings]]''. On television, he appeared in ''[[w:The Black and White Minstrel Show\|The Black and White Minstrel Show]]'', as Whatsisname Smith in the children's show ''[[w:Rentaghost\|Rentaghost]]'' (1983–84), and as [[Monsieur Alfonse]] in ''[['Allo 'Allo!]]'' (1984–1992) and Uncle Sammy Morris in ''[[Hi-de-Hi!]]'' (1986–88). He also made guest appearances in sitcoms including ''[[That's My Boy (1981 TV series)\|That's My Boy]]'' and ''[[You Rang, M'Lord?]]'' and he also appeared in the episode "[[Sense and Senility]]" of ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'' in 1987, alongside fellow veteran comic star [[Hugh Paddick]].

	In 1991, he was honoured by the Queen with appointment as a Member of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).		In 1991, he was honoured by the Queen with appointment as a Member of the [[w:Order of the British Empire\|Order of the British Empire]] (MBE).

	He was still working just two days before his death, with an appearance on ''[[Noel Edmonds]]' [[Telly Addicts]]''. His final TV appearance, as Mr Warren in ''[[The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' episode ''[[The Adventure of the Red Circle]]'', was broadcast posthumously in 1994.		He was still working just two days before his death, with an appearance on ''[[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]' [[w:Telly Addicts\|Telly Addicts]]''. His final TV appearance, as Mr Warren in ''[[w:The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)\|The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes]]'' episode ''[[w:The Adventure of the Red Circle\|The Adventure of the Red Circle]]'', was broadcast posthumously in 1994.

	==Death==		==Death==