Ray Brooks — Biography & Legacy
Early Life & Personal Background
Full Name: Raymond Michael Brooks
Born: April 20, 1939, in Brighton, East Sussex, England
Marriage: Married Sadie Elcombe in 1963 during the filming of Girl on a Roof; they remained together until his passing. The couple had three children — two sons, Will and Tom, and a daughter, Emma, who tragically passed away in 2003
Career Highlights
Film and Breakout Roles
Gained early fame as Tolen in the Palme d’Or-winning film The Knack … and How to Get It (1965)
Achieved widespread acclaim as Reg Ward in Ken Loach’s powerful Cathy Come Home (1966), a landmark drama that raised national awareness of homelessness
Appeared in popular films such as Carry On Abroad (1972) and Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966)
Television & Voice Work
A fixture of British television with credits in Coronation Street, EastEnders (as Joe Macer), Big Deal, Running Wild, Growing Pains, Doctor Who, and others
Brighton and Hove News
Beloved as the narrator and voice of the iconic children’s animated series Mr Benn (1971); although only 13 episodes were made, its twice-yearly reruns turned Brooks into a recognizable voice for generations of viewers
Also voiced stories on Jackanory, narrated The Pickwick Papers, and provided voiceovers for numerous commercials (e.g., Guinness, Marmite)
Stage & Radio
Toured in stage productions, including Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends and Tom Stoppard’s On the Razzle
Starred in the radio series Robert Barr – Detective on BBC Radio 2 (1980–85), later rebroadcast on Radio 4 Extra
Autobiography
Authored an autobiography titled Learning My Lines (2009) reflecting on his career and experiences in the industry
Final Years & Passing
Passed away peacefully on August 9, 2025, at age 86, following a short illness, with family by his side
In his final years, he lived with dementia, though this did not diminish the love fans retained for his work
Personal Passions & Legacy
His sons fondly remembered that his three great loves were family, Fulham Football Club, and his hometown of Brighton
Deeply cherished by colleagues and fans alike, he was known for being private and modest. EastEnders and others paid tribute to him as a warm, reliable, and gifted performer
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