Ronnie Barker in August 2017 by Ben Elton. Elton's lecture focused on the future of the British sitcom. Ronnie Barker Ronald William George Barker, (25 September 1929 – 3 October 2005) was an English actor, comedian and writer. He was known for roles in British comedy television series such as "Porridge", "The Two Ronnies", and "Open All Hours". Barker began acting in repertory theatre and decided he was best suited to comic roles. He had his first success at the Oxford Playhouse and in roles in the West End including Tom Stoppard's "The Real Inspector Hound". During this period, he was in
Ronnie Barker a cat lover. In 1964 he appeared in Galton & Simpson's gentle comedy, "The Bargee," as "Ronnie", the illiterate cousin of Harry H Corbett's rascally "Hemmel Pike." He did his first bit of on-screen 'porridge' as fellow convict to Charlie Drake in "The Cracksman" (1963). Other film work at that time included: "Doctor in Distress" (1963), "Father Came Too!" (1963) and "A Home of Your Own" (1965). In 1966, Barker got his break with the satirical sketch series "The Frost Report", having been recommended for the show by producer James Gilbert. The show starred David Frost, John Cleese and Barker's