Appeared in the 1950s Landmark BBC Radio SF Series Journey Into Space as Lemuel "Lemmy" Barnet.
As a one-time cabinet maker, he began his career building sets at the Unity Theatre, in London, before becoming an actor there in the late 1930s. He made his acting debut performing alongside Paul Robeson in the play "Plant in the Sun." During the 1950s he continued to direct shows at Unity, and on one occasion appeared in court charged with putting on a play without a license. He appeared in a number of Shakespearean roles on stage.
Began acting before the camera in wartime British documentaries.
Born to Russian parents who had fled persecution in the USSR.
British character comic who played a number of archetypal Cockney working class roles.