Roy Kinnear

Roy Mitchell Kinnear (8 January 1934 – 20 September 1988) was an English character actor and comedian. He was known for playing Algernon in The Beatles' Help!, Clapper in How I Won the War (1967), Henry Salt in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), and Planchet in The Three Musketeers (1973) and its two sequels. On television, Kinnear starred in The Dick Emery Show (1979–1981), Man About the House (1974–1975), George and Mildred (1976–1979), and Cowboys (1980–1981).

Early life Kinnear was born on 8 January 1934 in Wigan, Scotland Rugby League have named their Student Player of the Year Award after him.

Kinnear was educated at George Heriot's School in Edinburgh. returning to RADA to complete his education in acting, graduating in 1955.

Career Kinnear's acting career began in 1955, playing Albert in The Young in Heart, at the repertory theatre, Newquay. In 1959 he joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal Stratford East,

Kinnear later appeared in many films and television shows, including Till Death Us Do Part, George and Mildred, Also in 1970 he played Mr. Perkins, Melody's father in Waris Hussein's Melody (1971), a puppy love story. He played the father of spoiled rich girl Veruca Salt in the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), an adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

He guest-starred as the Roman Emperor in episode "Rome Antics", in The Goodies (1975), and as the fearsome German Sergeant Vogel in the BBC's Ripping Yarns episode "Escape From Stalag Luft 112B" (1977).

He narrated and provided voices for the stop-motion children's television show Bertha. He appeared in two music videos for Mike and the Mechanics ("All I Need Is a Miracle" and "Taken In") In October 1988 Radio 4 first broadcast The T Machine, an episode of the comedy series The Fall of the Mausoleum Club in which he played the lead character, Mr Tilly.

Personal life and death Roy Kinnear's grave in East Sheen Cemetery, LondonKinnear was married to actress Carmel Cryan, and they had three children: Karina, casting director Kirsty, and actor Rory. died in May 2020 from COVID-19 and was buried near her father. Kinnear was buried in East Sheen Cemetery, London. Following his death, Kinnear's family sued the film's production company and director, Richard Lester, receiving a £650,000 settlement in 1991.

Legacy In May 1994, the Roy Kinnear Trust, which was inspired by his daughter, Karina, was founded to help improve the life of young adults with physical and mental disabilities.

Shows The Roy Kinnear Show The Clairvoyant

Filmography

Television

Theatre (partial) Make Me an Offer, Theatre Royal Stratford East, October 1959 – 18th June 1960. Sparrers Can't Sing, Theatre Royal Stratford East + Wyndham's Theatre 1960. The Clandestine Marriage, Theatre Royal, Bath, 1983 – 1984. The Real Inspector Hound, Royal National Theatre, 1985 – 1986. The Travails of Sancho Panza The Cherry Orchard The Duchess of Malfi Cinderella