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Ray Brooks dies aged 86
British actor Ray Brooks has died at 86 after a short illness; family says he spent his final years living with dementia.
An obituary of Ray Brooks, the British actor known for Mr Benn and Cathy Come Home, reflecting on his career and his later dementia.
Ray Brooks dies aged 86
Ray Brooks, the British actor who starred in EastEnders, Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home and narrated the 1970s children’s show Mr Benn, has died at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully on Saturday with his loved ones by his side after a short illness, according to a family statement provided to the BBC. The family also noted that Brooks had spent the last years living with dementia.
Brooks’ sons, Will and Tom, said his three true loves were family, Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born. Brooks’ voice brought Mr Benn to life, a show that followed a character who enters a magical costume shop and travels to new places based on the outfits he wears. Although only 13 episodes were released, the program became a memory for generations as episodes were repeated for more than two decades.
He later appeared in primetime TV including Coronation Street as Norman Phillips and in EastEnders as Joe Macer, a role remembered for its dramatic end in the beloved serial. His film work includes a part in The Knack and How to Get It, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 1965. Brooks also starred in Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home, a BBC drama about housing shortages in late 1960s Britain. A 2000 British Film Institute poll ranked it as the second-best British television program ever made, after Fawlty Towers.
Key Takeaways
"I was asked to do other cartoons because of Mr Benn – including Rupert the Bear, which was the worst thing I’ve ever done. I used to have a couple of pints before recording it, to numb my brain for his terrible rhymes."
Brooks reflecting on his Mr Benn experience and a humorous early career anecdote.
"Grandmas come up to me and say their grandchildren are fed up with today’s cartoons, but they love the simplicity of Mr Benn, the fact that he’s very moral, always sorting out people’s problems – including dragons."
Public reception of Mr Benn and its moral tone.
"His three true loves were family, Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born."
Family statement about Brooks’ personal priorities.
Brooks’ career spans a mix of light entertainment, serious drama and iconic animation voice work. His presence in Mr Benn helped turn a simple moral tale into a cultural touchstone for generations, while Cathy Come Home connects him to a pivotal moment when British television spotlighted social issues. The obituary also touches on dementia, reminding readers that behind screen legends lie private struggles that can endure long after the last credits roll. This piece balances tribute with context, drawing a line from a performer’s early charm to a broader discussion about memory, aging and the lasting impact of public art.
Highlights
- Mr Benn kept a simple moral compass in a loud world
- He turned a costume shop into a doorway to wonder
- Dementia cannot erase a life lived on screen
- Three loves defined him family Fulham and Brighton
Sensitive health and bereavement context risk
The obituary touches on dementia and death, which requires careful, respectful handling. Avoid sensationalism and ensure statements about health are based on family confirmation.
A life in public view often ends with quiet memories that outlive the final scene.
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