--- name: "Ronnie Barker" canonical: "https://film.one/person/ronnie-barker" fi1m_id: "ronnie-barker" imdb_id: "nm0054985" tmdb_id: 66786 wikidata_id: "Q963893" roles: ["Actor"] born: "25 September 1929" died: "3 October 2005" reviewed_on_fi1m: 1 average_as: "actor" average_over: 1 updated: "2026-10-07T10:52:52.510698+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Ronnie Barker ## Identity Ronnie Barker - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ronnie-barker - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** ronnie-barker - **IMDb ID:** nm0054985 - **TMDB ID:** 66786 - **Wikidata ID:** Q963893 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Barker, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q963893, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0054985/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/66786 Actor. Born 25 September 1929 in Bedfordshire, England, U.K.. Died 3 October 2005. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 25 September 1929, Bedfordshire, England, U.K. - **Died:** 3 October 2005 - **Active:** 1974–1976 - **Also known as:** Dave Huggett and Larry Keith, Jack Goetz, Gerald Wiley, Bob Ferris, Larry Keith, Jonathan Cobbald, Ronald Barker, Gerald Wilrey, David Huggett, Dave Huggett - **Frequently works with:** [Sydney Lotterby](https://film.one/person/sydney-lotterby.md) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Barker, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q963893, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0054985/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/66786 ## Fi1m on Ronnie Barker > Ronnie Barker can make courtesy sound insolent and a complicated joke sound like ordinary speech. We rate him highest in *Porridge*, where his timing serves a character worth caring about. In *Porridge* (1974), Ronnie Barker makes Norman Stanley Fletcher's politeness towards a warder sound insolent. We laughed hardest at his exchanges with Fulton Mackay, because Barker makes compliance sound like another way of refusing to be put in his place. Mackay will not indulge him, and that resistance gives Barker something to work against. We rate Barker highest here, where each clever answer serves Fletcher's modest ambition to get a little more out of his day. His verbal dexterity had a broader outlet in *The Two Ronnies* (1971), his sketch partnership with Ronnie Corbett, which followed their work on *The Frost Report* (1966). Barker could deliver tangled language with the confidence of someone making a perfectly sensible announcement. He also wrote sketches as Gerald Wiley, so that the material would be judged without his name attached. The spoonerisms and deliberate mispronunciations were part of a skill that also made Fletcher's calculated answers sound natural. For *Porridge*, writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais give Fletcher intelligence that remains useful inside a prison, and Richard Beckinsale's Lennie Godber gives him a reason to share it. Beckinsale listens with enough uncertainty to make the advice necessary, never making Godber merely slow. Barker lets concern enter those explanations without asking us to congratulate Fletcher on his kindness. The exchanges with the warders can grow predictable, but this friendship keeps the series worth returning to. Sydney Lotterby's direction understands how much Barker can do before and after the line itself. Editors including John Dunstan and Howard Dell allow a look to register instead of rushing on to the next joke. There is room to notice Fletcher's confidence, and to enjoy the possibility that somebody might puncture it. Barker benefits from this patience; there is no need to underline what his delivery has already made clear. *Open All Hours* (1976) gave him another durable character in the miserly shopkeeper Arkwright. The more exaggerated comedy of *The Magnificent Evans* (1984) was less successful. That is the caveat with Barker: precise delivery alone cannot make an elaborate comic character worth watching week after week. Start with *Porridge*, and give Beckinsale's listening as much attention as Barker's lines. ## Biography Ronnie Barker was an English actor, comedian and writer. Born Ronald William George Barker on 25 September 1929 in Bedfordshire, he died on 3 October 2005. He began acting in Oxford amateur dramatics while working as a bank clerk, having left higher education after a short period studying architecture. He moved into repertory theatre, including work at the Oxford Playhouse, before entering radio and television. Barker was best known for his television roles as Norman Stanley Fletcher in the BBC sitcom *Porridge* (1974–1977) and its sequel *Going Straight* (1978), and as shopkeeper Albert Arkwright in *Open All Hours* (1976–1985). He also starred in the sketch show *The Two Ronnies* (1971–1987) with Ronnie Corbett. He used writing pseudonyms including Gerald Wiley. His film appearances included Friar Tuck in *Robin and Marian* (1976). Barker received several BAFTA awards for his performances and retired from regular television work in the late 1980s. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, screenonline.org.uk.* ## On Fi1m (1) - *Porridge* (1974), Fi1m 89, as Norman Stanley Fletcher — [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md) ## Complete filmography (67) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Open All Hours: Inside Out* (2026), Actor - *Comedy Classics: Porridge* (2022), as (archive footage) - *The Two Ronnies Unseen* (2019), Actor - *Hitler: The Comedy Years* (2007), as Norman Stanley Fletcher (archive footage) (uncredited) - *The Two Ronnies Sketchbook* (2005), series, as Creator - *The Best of Ronnie Barker* (2005), series, Actor - *Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher* (2003), as Norman Stanley Fletcher - *My House in Umbria* (2003), as The General - *The Gathering Storm* (2002), as David Inches - *The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything* (2000), series, Actor - *An Audience with Ronnie Corbett* (1997), Actor - *Clarence* (1988), series, as Clarence · Writer, Creator - *The Two Ronnies In Australia* (1986), series, as Various Roles - *The Magnificent Evans* (1984), series, as Plantagenet Evans - *The Funny Side of Christmas* (1982), as Albert Arkwright - *By the Sea* (1982), as The General · Writer - *Porridge* (1979), as Norman Stanley Fletcher - *Going Straight* (1978), series, as Norman Stanley Fletcher - *To See Such Fun* (1977), Actor - *Porridge: The Desperate Hours* (1976), as Fletcher - *The Picnic* (1976), as The General · Writer - *Robin and Marian* (1976), as Friar Tuck - *Open All Hours* (1976), series, as Albert Arkwright - *Porridge: No Way Out* (1975), as Fletcher - *Porridge* (1974), series, as Norman Stanley Fletcher — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/porridge.md) - *The Two Ronnies Old Fashioned Christmas Mystery* (1973), as various roles · Writer - *Seven of One* (1973), series, as Albert Arkwright, Norman Stanley Fletcher, Sam Cobbett, Albert Spanner, Harry Norvel, Alan Joyce, Evan Owen / Grandpa Owen · Writer, Creator - *Sykes* (1972), series, as Lord Towers - *His Lordship Entertains* (1972), series, Actor - *The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins* (1971), as Guest Appearance (segment "Sloth") - *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1971), as Bottom - *The Two Ronnies* (1971), series, Writer, Creator - *The Best Of The Two Ronnies* (1971), series, Actor - *The Odd Job* (1971), as Arthur Harriman - *Six Dates with Barker* (1971), series, as Fred, Inspector Alexander, Arthur Harriman, Lola / Fritz Braun, Dr Swanton, Prince Boffo · Writer, Creator - *Wilton's: The Handsomest Hall in Town* (1970), as George Bastow - *Futtocks End* (1970), as Gen. Futtock · Writer - *Charley's Aunt* (1969), as Stephen Spettigue - *The Bed Sitting Room* (1969), as Underwater Vicar (voice) (uncredited) - *Hark at Barker* (1969), series, as Lord Rustless / Various Characters · Creator - *Two off the Cuff* (1969), Actor - *The Ronnie Barker Playhouse* (1968), series, as Tennyson Elias Williams, Lord Rustless, Ronald Winterbourne, Cyril Tanner, The Monk, Alexander · Creator - *The Gamblers* (1967), series, Actor - *The Man Outside* (1967), as George Venaxas - *Before The Fringe* (1967), series, Actor - *A Ghost of a Chance* (1967), as Mr. Prendergast - *The Frost Report* (1966), series, Actor - *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Henry Ormonroyd, Stephen Spettigue, Nick Bottom - *A Tale of Two Cities* (1965), series, as Jerry Cruncher - *Runaway Railway* (1965), as Mr. Galore - *A Home of Your Own* (1964), as The Cement Mixer - *Theatre 625* (1964), series, as Crowther Rimington - *The Bargee* (1964), as Ronnie - *Father Came Too!* (1964), as Josh Wicks - *Doctor in Distress* (1963), as Man at Railway Station Ticket Counter (uncredited) - *The Cracksman* (1963), as Yossle - *The Saint* (1962), series, as Alphonse - *Kill or Cure* (1962), as Burton - *Six More Faces of Jim* (1961), series, Actor - *Faces of Jim* (1961), series, as Newsreader, Board Member, Sidney Biggins, Mr Harris, Inigo Pengallen, Ronnie, Ron Glum, The Psychiatrist, Lennie Padgett, Lascivius, Jonathan de Winter, Colonel Sanderson, George Butters MP - *Drama 61-67* (1961), series, as Harrison - *The Avengers* (1961), series, as Cheshire — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-avengers-1961.md) - *Christmas Night with the Stars* (1958), series, Actor - *Wonderful Things* (1958), as Waiter (uncredited) - *Theatre Night* (1957), series, as Perigord - *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Grimwood - *By the Sea*, series, Creator ## Gallery - ![Ronnie Barker](https://film.one/media/person/60374/gallery-56d77f3b6aec.jpg) Ronnie Barker — Jack1956, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Ronnie_Barker_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![The sign of the Four Candles, a Wetherspoons pub in Oxford named after the Two Ronnies comedy sketch. (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/60374/gallery-9e04cac30f2b.jpg) The sign of the Four Candles, a Wetherspoons pub in Oxford named after the Two Ronnies comedy sketch. (2013) — Matt Brown, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Four_Candles_sign.jpg/1280px-Four_Candles_sign.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Harringtons General Ironmonger, the hardware shop the inspiration for the 'Four Candles' Two Ronnies sketch, written by Ronnie Barker, at Broadstairs in Kent, E (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/60374/gallery-a4edefd592a3.jpg) Harringtons General Ironmonger, the hardware shop the inspiration for the 'Four Candles' Two Ronnies sketch, written by Ronnie Barker, at Broadstairs in Kent, E (2016) — Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Harrington%27s_hardware_shop_Broadstairs_Kent_England_-_inspiration_for_the_%27Four_Candles%27_Two_Ronnies_sketch_01.jpg/1280px-Harrington%27s_hardware_shop_Broadstairs_Kent_England_-_inspiration_for_the_%27Four_Candles%27_Two_Ronnies_sketch_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Harringtons General Ironmonger, the hardware shop the inspiration for the 'Four Candles' Two Ronnies sketch, written by Ronnie Barker, at Broadstairs in Kent, E (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/60374/gallery-16c5835b7d7c.jpg) Harringtons General Ironmonger, the hardware shop the inspiration for the 'Four Candles' Two Ronnies sketch, written by Ronnie Barker, at Broadstairs in Kent, E (2017) — Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b3/Harrington%27s_hardware_shop_Broadstairs_Kent_England_-_inspiration_for_the_%27Four_Candles%27_Two_Ronnies_sketch_02.jpg/1280px-Harrington%27s_hardware_shop_Broadstairs_Kent_England_-_inspiration_for_the_%27Four_Candles%27_Two_Ronnies_sketch_02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Plaque marking comedian Ronnie Barker's birthplace at 70 Garfield Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire. (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/60374/gallery-f96ffe6d2f07.jpg) Plaque marking comedian Ronnie Barker's birthplace at 70 Garfield Street, Bedford, Bedfordshire. (2011) — Simon Speed, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/RonnieBarkerPlaque.JPG/1280px-RonnieBarkerPlaque.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photograph of Susie Silvey with Ronnie Barker (1980)](https://film.one/media/person/60374/gallery-72a6aa66ff46.jpg) Photograph of Susie Silvey with Ronnie Barker (1980) — Jack1956, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/Susie_Silvey_and_Ronnie_Barker.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ronnie-barker