Benny Lee

Ben Lee (born Ben Levy; 11 August 1916 – 9 December 1995) was a British actor and singer. He started his career in stage roles, subsequently developing a television and film career.

Early life Lee was born on 11 August 1916 to a Jewish family in The Gorbals, Glasgow, and originally named Ben Levy. He played the part of Eddie Cantor in a radio version of the film Show Business (1944). His other radio series included Top Ten (1944) and Music from the Movies (1946).

The following year, he duetted with Joy Nichols, the star of Take It From Here, singing "On the 5.45". The Decca company came in with a contract and from 1950 he recorded such hits of the time as "Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)", and "Down at the Ferry Boat Inn" with the Stargazers. Every type of pop song seemed to suit Lee, and he covered Guy Mitchell's hit "Pretty Little Black-Eyed Susie", and the Hank Williams hillbilly hit, "Your Cheatin' Heart". Lee enjoyed comedy numbers, and sang "Close the Door" with a chorus of young children on a special series made for Christmas 1955 entitled Benny Lee's Children's Party. Lee worked as both singer and comedian in these series. This was in 1953, the same year that Lee played Mr Pegg, the myopic tailor to Terry-Thomas in the fifth series of How Do You View? His short-sighted measuring of the elegant "Master Terry" Denis Gifford described as a highspot. It became a chart hit, not for the actors, but for Billy Cotton and his band. Lee was later regular support for Michael Bentine in his series It's a Square World (1960), along with Clive Dunn, Dick Emery, and Bruce Lacey, the madcap inventor.

Films Lee also appeared in the films Keep It Clean (1956), My Wife's Family (1956), The Girl Hunters (1963) and Mahler (1974), portraying Tarbottom, Arnold, Nat Drutman and Uncle Arnold respectively.

Stage Lee's stage appearances included the musical Two Gentlemen from Verona (1973) and Windy City (1983). He died in Portsmouth on 9 December 1995, at the age of 79. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

Select filmography Keep It Clean (1956) My Wife's Family (1956) Carry On Sergeant (1958; uncredited) Night of the Prowler (1962) The Girl Hunters (1963) A Stitch in Time (1963; uncredited) Mahler (1974)