Leonard Henry Ruming

Leonard Henry Ruming (15 March 1890 – 6 January 1973), known as Leonard Henry, was an English comedian, actor, and radio broadcaster.

Biography Born in Lambeth, London, he first performed as a comic entertainer in concert parties in 1912. He made his first radio broadcast in 1926, and thereafter appeared regularly on the BBC. He also played in pantomimes, variety shows, and Shakespeare plays. He was the first person to blow a raspberry on British radio, and was also reputed to be able to make an impromptu joke on any subject suggested by his audience. and was twice voted top in a newspaper poll of favourite radio personalities. and in the longer films The Musical Beauty Shop (1930) and The Public Life of Henry the Ninth (1935). The latter film, now lost, in which Henry took the leading role, was the first one to be made by Hammer Film Productions.

He also composed songs, and continued to appear regularly on BBC radio as a comedian and later as a compere of programmes, including Housewives' Choice. His autobiography, My Laugh Story, was published in 1937.

Leonard Henry died in London in 1973, aged 82.