Ray Brooks obituary confirms death at 86

Ray Brooks, the actor behind Mr Benn and familiar on Coronation Street and EastEnders, dies after a short illness.

Ray Brooks dies aged 86 after decades on screen

Ray Brooks, the actor known for Coronation Street and EastEnders, has died at 86 after a short illness, his family confirmed. Brooks also voiced Mr Benn, a beloved character from the 1970s children’s series, a role that many fans remember. His career spanned stage, film, and television with credits across classic dramas and comedy, including Cathy Come Home and Big Deal. In EastEnders he played Joe Macer, a part that is widely recalled for its shocking moment.

The family said he spent his final years living with dementia and died peacefully with relatives by his side. Brooks loved his family, Fulham Football Club, and time in Brighton, where he was born. He had a daughter Emma who died in 2003. The news closes a long chapter in British television that connected audiences from the 1960s to later decades through a wide range of roles and performances.

Brooks’s career illustrates the journeyman path many British actors navigate, moving between soaps, stage, and voice work. He built trust with audiences by showing up reliably in familiar settings, from the streets of Weatherfield to the docks of Albert Square, and he gave voice to a character who sparked imagination in children. His breadth demonstrates how versatility sustains a long career in a crowded industry.

This obituary also highlights how public memory often foregrounds a single iconic moment while a career spans decades. The emphasis on a defining role, such as Joe Macer or Mr Benn, can overshadow the steady contributions that sustain television culture. Reading tributes invites reflection on how the industry values character actors who become touchstones for generations of viewers.

Highlights

His career leaves a thread that runs through decades of British television