Biography

An enigmatic and much-loved comedy actor, Arthur Mullard carved a unique niche for himself in a host of British comedy films and TV shows. The stereotype Cockney, he was born in Islington, North London where he was known by locals as "The Dook of Islington."

He left school at 14 to work as a butcher's boy. At 18 he joined the Army and became his regiment's boxing champion. After leaving the forces, he briefly became a professional boxer.

After World War II he took up acting, mainly as a stuntman working at Pinewood and Ealing Studios in their heyday. He then graduated to small parts in classic comedy films, and on television he began to be in great demand as a straight man to a range of comics including Frankie Howerd, Spike Milligan, Tony Hancock, Tommy Cooper, and Arthur Askey. In 1962 he scored a critical success in "Sparrows Can't Sing" with Barbara Windsor.

He achieved stardom on television in the series "Romany Jones" (1973). Mullard and Queenie Watts played Wally and Lily Briggs, a colourful couple who lived in a caravan and were experts at swindling the social services. The series was followed by "Yus, My Dear" (1976,) which attracted more than 8 million viewers. He was regularly cast as a guest star on many other TV shows and once quipped "If the TV bosses are stuck, they'll say 'Let's put Arfur on, but not too much or he'll steal the bleedin' show!'"
- IMDb mini biography by: Patrick Newley

The tragedy of my life is, I was born 20 years too early.

Drilling troops and just being in the Army was like acting to me. It was all an act.

I never think of my childhood with nostalgia. Anyone of my age who says he does is deceiving himself. They weren't good old days at all. Whatever else change has brought, it means people aren't so poor any more.