Ronald William George Barker, OBE was an English actor, comedian, writer, broadcaster and businessman. He was known for his roles in various British comedy television series, such as The Frost Report, Porridge, The Two Ronnies and Open All Hours.Born in Bedford, he began his acting career in repertory theatre and decided he was best suited to performing comic roles. Barker gained his first acting successes at the Oxford Playhouse and later in various roles in the West End including Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound. During this period, he became a cast member on BBC radio and television comedy programmes such as The Navy Lark. Barker got his television break with the satirical sketch series The Frost Report in 1966 where he met future collaborator Ronnie Corbett. He joined David Frost's production company and was to star in a number ITV shows including a short film during this period.However, it was after rejoining the BBC that he found fame with the sketch show The Two Ronnies (1971—1986) with Ronnie Corbett. After the series of pilots called Seven of One, he gained starring roles in the sitcoms Porridge, its sequel Going Straight and Open All Hours. Apart from being a performer, he was noted as a comedy writer both under his own name and the pseudonym Gerald Wiley, which Barker adopted to avoid pre-judgements of his talent. Barker won the BAFTA for Best Light Entertainment Performance four times, amongst other awards, and received an OBE in 1978.Later television sitcoms such as The Magnificent Evans and Clarence were less successful and he decided to retire in 1987. After his retirement, he opened an antiques shop with his wife, Joy. After 1997, he appeared in a number of smaller, non-comic roles in films.Barker's writing style was "based on precise scripts and perfect timing." It often involved playing with language, including humour involving such linguistic items as spoonerisms and double entendres. He "preferred innuendo over the crudely explicit, a restraint that demanded some imagination from the audience and was the essence of his comedy." He "never liked sex or obscenity on television, but there was no shortage of frisky gags in The Two Ronnies". Corbett said he had "a mastery of the English language".
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1978 Queens New Year Honours List for his services to drama.
He was the father of the actress Charlotte Barker , the actor Adam Barker and Larry Barker.
He became well-known for the hugely popular radio comedy series "The Navy Lark", in which he played various characters. The series was conceived by fellow actor Jon Pertwee and was based on his experience in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Barker later admitted that the two of them would often find themselves almost paralytic with laughter during rehearsals for it.
Although a great comedy actor in his own right ( "Porridge" , "Open All Hours" ), he is perhaps best known for his longstanding comic double-act with Ronnie Corbett in "The Two Ronnies" .
Despite opting to appear frequently in drag in "The Two Ronnies" as part of a sketch, he intensely disliked dressing as a woman.
He was one of the actors originally wanted for the part of Claudius in "I, Claudius" , but it eventually went to Derek Jacobi. He also turned down the roles of Frank Spencer in "Some Mothers Do Ave Em" and Reginald Perrin in "The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin" due to his heavy schedule.
At the end of "The Two Ronnies" , they would always close with Ronnie Corbett saying "Well, its Goodnight from me", to which Ronnie Barker would reply "And, its Goodnight from him".
Whilst on holiday in Australia, he was approached by a man who asked "Hey, are you that Ronnie Barker?". Ronnie calmly replied in a mock Australian accent "Sorry mate, a lot of people say that, but I aint him."
His first job was that of a stage hand at The Oxford Playhouse, Oxford, UK. At that time the theatre was a rep and one night Ronnie was thrust on stage to cover for someone - the rest, as they say, is history. Although considered a comic actor he has portrayed a vast array of characters - especially on the stage - and was considered one of Britains finest character actors.
His best friends were Ronnie Corbett and David Jason.
He claimed that making "Open All Hours" was the happiest experience of his career.
In 2004, he received a lifetime achievement award from the British Academy of film and Television Arts. He earned three other BAFTA awards as well.
He initially trained as an architect but decided that he did not have the necessary talents. His first paid job was as a bank clerk.
Mr. Barkers funeral was held in the leafy surroundings of Banbury Crematorium in Oxfordshire where his body was taken in a Volvo hearse. Banbury is just a few miles from his home village of Dean near Chipping Norton where he operated an antique shop the last few years of his life.
The UKs Sun newspaper announced his death with a front page depicting a pair of black horn-rimmed glasses sitting in a spotlight, with the headline "Goodnight from him".
He was encouraged to go into show business by Frank Shelley.
In 2004, he agreed to do another series of "The Two Ronnies" (with Ronnie Corbett ) for BBC-TV after renewed interest following Barkers Bafta tribute. It was 17 years since the duo last appeared together on TV screens.
In 1988, he retired from acting to run an antiques business.
In the 1970s, Barker and Corbett were two of the highest-paid performers in British television. In 1979, he and Corbett took their families to Australia for a year which enabled them to avoid paying the years income tax, which then stood at 83% in the UK for top earners. Many film stars and rock stars also left the UK in the 1970s for the same reason.
His nickname for David Jason on "Open All Hours" was "little feed".
He wanted to end "Open All Hours" after three years, even with audiences of more than 15 million.
He liked to send poems to David Jason. He was constantly playing with words and was very quick at composing verses. He sent one to Jason to commemorate his knighthood in 2005.
Known for being a perfectionist, he monitored David Jasons raspberries carefully for volume, tone and duration on "The Two Ronnies" whenever performing "The Phantom Raspberry Blower" sketch; Barker directed him in a sound-booth doing a raspberry version of the 1812 Overture. Jason joked in his autobiography that he would gladly re-stage it at the Royal Albert Hall, and considered "making farting noises into a microphone" one of the most profound jobs hes ever had at the BBC, and proud of his contribution to "that little moment of comic history".
He was known for being genial, open, always looking for what was funny in any situation, and quick-witted.
He lived quietly and shunned the spotlight. He always put family first and hardly ever attended big social events.
David Jason wanted to work with Barker years before "Open All Hours" and did as a guest star on "Porridge" . He believed it profoundly affected the course of his life. He always considered him a mentor whenever they worked together. He never understood why Barker left ITV for the BBC, because he wasnt in the know. He considered working with Barker in an entire series a dream outcome, and the two became close friends. He claimed Barker was very wise and if he thought something was OK, that was good enough. He also believed he was there on the series to be Barkers stooge, and got frustrated when episodes ran long and his part had to be edited down just to feed Barker.
He was a great collector from antique and junk shops. He liked collecting things to have them around, but was never interested in anything valuable, just what appealed to him. He collected little porcelain statuettes of 1920s bathing belles; toy soldiers, boxes of cigarette cards, some unopened; thousands of postcards; albums of the seaside from the turn of the century and one with postcards made of silk, etc. His home was considered a house of wonders, and the walls were covered with wonderful pictures, of all shapes, sizes and styles. David Jason described his house as a treasure trove. He had a driver who took him and Jason looking for bric-a-brac. The tinier and the more offbeat the shop was, and the further it was into the middle of nowhere, the happier he was.
When David Jason was knighted in 2005, he wished Barker had been there to share it with everyone. Jason felt Barker was more deserving of a knighthood, but had died two months previously. But earlier in the year, when Jasons knighthood was announced, he sent him one of his poems to commemorate the event, and at Jasons after party he declaimed it, so Barker was there in word.
He was particularly devastated by Richard Beckinsale s death. He was so upset he couldnt work for several days.
He attended David Jason s 50th birthday party; he parked his car in a neighbouring drive so as not to spoil the surprise. He delivered a speech at the party. Jason said it was a lovely, high-spirited evening and the nicest of surprises, but he wasnt surprised though, because all the lights were off when he arrived - something his wife never did.
On one occasion, while David Jason was a guest in Barkers house, Jason got slightly drunk and couldnt sleep; he saw a door and assuming it led to a flat roof, decided to get some fresh air to help him sleep even though he couldnt see a thing beyond the door. Jason reconsidered after worrying about cutting his feet on any stones. The next morning Jason found the door led to nowhere but a 30ft drop to a disused mill wheel; Barker had a balcony built to prevent any more near tragedies.
He was considered a legend in the British TV business and was admired by many fellow professionals.
He thought about retiring at age 56 after the deaths of Eric Morecambe and Tommy Cooper and working himself into an early grave was playing on his mind. He decided to retire on New Years Day, 1988 at the age of 59. David Jason was disappointed but respected his decision.
A memorial service was held for him at Westminster Abbey on 3 March 2006.
He underwent heart bypass surgery in 1996 and suffered a pulmonary embolism in 1997.
He was a heavy smoker until 1972, when he gave up after having a pre-cancerous growth removed from his throat.
A year before his death he chose not to undergo heart valve replacement surgery and his health rapidly declined.
According to "Doctor Who" script editor Terrance Dicks on the DVD commentary for "Doctor Who" {Planet of the Daleks: Episode Three (#10.17)} , Barker was considered by producer Barry Letts for a guest role in the series, then starring his friend Jon Pertwee , until inquiries discovered that he would have been too expensive due to the higher fees paid to actors in the light entertainment department of the BBC than the drama department.
We had hoped to have been bringing you Arthur the Human Chameleon, but,this afternoon, he crawled across a tartan rug and died of exhaustion.
The toilets at a local police station have been stolen. Police say they,have nothing to go on.
I suppose I would like to be remembered as one of the funniest men that,people have seen on television.
The marvelous thing about a joke with a double meaning is that it can,only mean one thing.
In a packed programme tonight, we will be talking to an out-of-work,contortionist who says he can no longer make ends meet.
I enjoyed Open All Hours more (then Porridge) because of David (Jason).
[announcing his retirement] Witness all ye now here present that I,Ronald William George Barker, known to the world of the footlights as,Ronnie Barker, have now stepped from the spotlight after 40 years and,whereas I have no longer any claim to the title the Guvnor, being that,I no longer hold sway over nor have power to command supporting actors,bit players, stooges and feeds; now this hereby witnesseth that it is,my chosen and deliberate intention forthwith to abdicate the said title,of the Guvnor in favor of my good loyal and trusty servant David,Granville Dithers Jason; and that he now is entitled to bear arms in,the dignity of the office and title of the Guvnor and to enjoy all the,privileges thereunto belonging. Signed in the presence of these,worthies hereunder: Arthur Arkwright, Grocer Norman S. Fletcher,Director Rustless of Chrome Hall KGB, Om & Ronnie Barker, the ex-Guvnor,God Save The Queen.
