Richard Beckinsale tribute, called "The Unforgettable Richard Beckinsale". It featured interviews with his widow, the actress Judy Loe, as well as his father, sister, closest schoolfriend and two daughters. Also contributing were his co-stars, Barker and "Rising Damp"'s Don Warrington. Richard Beckinsale Richard Arthur Beckinsale (6 July 1947 – 19 March 1979) was an English actor, who played Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom "Porridge" (along with its sequel series "Going Straight") and Alan Moore in the British ITV sitcom "Rising Damp". He is the father of actresses Samantha Beckinsale and Kate Beckinsale. Beckinsale was born in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, to an Anglo-Burmese
Richard Beckinsale drama class. As a result, he won a place at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, turning professional in 1968. He then moved to Crewe to begin in repertory theatre, like most newly graduated actors at the time, and then made his television debut in 1969 as a police officer in "Coronation Street", in which he had to arrest veteran character Ena Sharples. Beckinsale acquired his first starring role in 1970 as Geoffrey in the sitcom "The Lovers", opposite fellow newcomer Paula Wilcox. The show put both lead performers in the public eye and, like many sitcoms of the time,