Kenneth Williams(1926-1988)
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
The British comic actor Kenneth Williams was born in 1926 in a working
class section of London, England, where he and his older sister Pat
were raised by their parents Louisa and Charlie, who ran a hairdressing
shop. At the age of 14, Williams began training as a lithographic
draftsman and was later apprenticed to a cartographer. At this time, he
also began to pursue his interest in acting by joining an amateur drama
group. While serving in the army during World War II, Williams worked
as a Royal Engineer in the Survey Section and later became an
entertainer for the troops in the Combined Services Entertainments.
After his release from military service in 1948, he worked in repertory
theater around Britain, eventually ending up in London theater. During
the 1950s, he made his name in popular revues, such as 'Share My
Lettuce', 'Pieces of Eight' and 'One Over the Eight'. He also appeared
with Maggie Smith in 'The Private
Eye/Public Ear', Edith Evans in
'Gentle Jack' and Ingrid Bergman
in 'Captain Brassbound's Conversion'. He was a good friend of the
playwright Joe Orton and performed in
his 'Loot' in 1967. Williams became a household name in Britain through
his numerous performances in radio and television, even having his own
television series
The Kenneth Williams Show (1970),
for a short time. Known for his snooty characterizations, his chief
claim to fame is his many appearances in the British "Carry On" films,
an extensive series of low-budget but immensely popular comedy films
produced from the late 1950s through the late 1970s.
