Arnold Yarrow

Arnold Yarrow (born Arnold Stein; 17 April 1920 – 9 December 2024) was a British actor, screenwriter and novelist best known for his brief role as bricklayer Benny Bloom in television soap opera EastEnders. Like the character, he was Jewish. Yarrow's other scriptwriting work included episodes of Crown Court, Warship and Softly, Softly: Task Force.

Early life Arnold Stein was born on 17 April 1920 in Mile End, London, to furrier father Jack Stein and mother Leah (née Montlake).

On the outbreak of the Second World War, he served as an infantryman and travelled to India and China, becoming an officer in the Royal Corps of Signals. After the war, Yarrow was posted to Germany, and became the administrator of a small theatre. He directed plays and ran the company as a weekly repertory. He became a professional actor in 1948. In 1988, he appeared in EastEnders as Benny Bloom, a retired bricklayer and love interest to Ethel Skinner.

Filmography

As story editor

As script editor

As writer

As actor

Film

Television