Ray Brooks, the British actor celebrated for his narration of the beloved children’s series “Mr Benn” and notable performances in “The Knack … and How to Get It”, “Big Deal”, and “Taxi!”, has died at the age of 86. His passing occurred on Saturday, August 9.
Family members have informed the media that Brooks has died following a brief illness, having battled dementia in recent years.
Born on April 20, 1939, in the United Kingdom, Brooks embarked on his screen career in the early 1960s, making appearances in the television miniseries “Julius Caesar” (1960) and “The Secret Kingdom”. He quickly gained broader acclaim in the television drama “Taxi!” (1963–64), portraying the character Terry Mills alongside comedy legend Sidney James. During this time, Brooks made a brief appearance on “Coronation Street” in the role of Norman Phillips.
In 1965, he took on the role of the charismatic Tolen in Richard Lester’s BAFTA-winning comedy “The Knack …” and “How to Get It”, sharing the screen with Rita Tushingham, Donal Donnelly, and Michael Crawford. This performance solidified his status as one of the emerging talents in British cinema.
For countless viewers over the years, Brooks is most fondly recalled as the voice behind “Mr Benn”. Between 1971 and 1972, he provided narration for all 13 episodes of the beloved animated children’s series, with his iconic delivery of the phrase “as if by magic” embedding itself into British pop culture. “Despite the production of just 13 episodes, the series enjoyed a remarkable longevity, being aired twice a year for 21 years,” stated his sons Will and Tom in a recent interview.
Brooks maintained a prolific television career. The actor portrayed the charming rogue Robby Box in the television drama “Big Deal,” which aired from 1984 to 1986, before taking on the lead role in “Running Wild” from 1987 to 1989. In the mid-2000s, he made a return to the soap opera scene, taking on a recurring role as Joe Macer in the popular series “EastEnders”.
Among his extensive body of work, he contributed to notable productions such as “Two Thousand Acres of Sky,” “Growing Pains,” “The Pickwick Papers,” “Death of an Expert Witness,” “King Rollo,” “Rooms,” “Pathfinders,” “Doomwatch,” “Z Cars,” “The Avengers,” “Cathy Come Home,” “Public Eye,” “Emergency-Ward 10,” and numerous others.
Ray Brooks, known for his distinctive voice, charisma, and adaptability, has established himself as one of Britain’s most recognisable actors, creating a legacy that resonates with audiences across generations.
