Funny British film actors

Montpoolier · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2017 4:34 pm

I was in an international crowd today, all talking about the funniest film actors from our respective countries.

The two obvious ones for me were Peter Sellers and Norman Wisdom, which was quite enough to beat the pants off the furriners.

Who would the other bunkerites have thought of?

JohnnyMars · **Joined:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:24 am **Posts:** 2478

Stan Laurel, Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, Charlie Chaplin - we win easy...

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22671

After Borat you have to include Sacha Baron Cohen. By far the funniest film I've ever seen. But nobody of any era tops Ronnie Barker.

The Colonel · **Joined:** Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:49 am **Posts:** 4891

Steve cougan. Ricky gervais.

The Colonel · **Joined:** Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:49 am **Posts:** 4891

Pierce brosnan. Nothing funnier than watching him try to act.

JohnnyMars · **Joined:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:24 am **Posts:** 2478

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore as well...

MutleyRules · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:18 pm

The top stars from the Carry Ons!!!!

MutleyRules · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:21 pm

And the best comedy actor of all time....Leonard Rossiter!!!!

JohnnyMars · **Joined:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:24 am **Posts:** 2478

MutleyRules wrote:

And the best comedy actor of all time....Leonard Rossiter!!!!

Absolutely!

Joe Mac · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:30 pm

Lenny Henry

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22671

Joe Mac wrote:

Lenny Henry

Bollox

Joe Mac · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2017 5:55 pm

He's a comedy genius, I love his material. My favourite one is when he tells everyone for 3 hours that he is black and does that HILARIOUS african accent.

demented twig · **Joined:** Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:09 pm **Posts:** 1043

alastair sim

Malcolm Dawes Knew My Father · **Joined:** Wed May 11, 2011 4:25 pm **Posts:** 4198

Montpoolier wrote:

I was in an international crowd today, all talking about the funniest film actors from our respective countries.

I'm struggling to remember what films Tommy Cooper or Lenny Henry have been funny in (though Lenny was terrific in the National Theatre production of Comedy of Errors).

Eric Morecambe for that matter - the Morecambe and Wise fillum was pretty dire.

Marty Feldman (Young Frankenstein)

Frankie Howerd & Michael Hordern (Up Pompeii)

pooliecrab · **Joined:** Tue Dec 16, 2014 9:31 pm **Posts:** 6028

Palin and Cleese, although it hasn't aged well in my opinion. I believe I may well be in the minority there.

verbalkint · **Joined:** Thu Dec 20, 2007 9:08 pm **Posts:** 3135

MutleyRules wrote:

And the best comedy actor of all time....Leonard Rossiter!!!!

without doubt !

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 37684

verbalkint wrote:

MutleyRules wrote:

And the best comedy actor of all time....Leonard Rossiter!!!!

without doubt !

My dad looked like him, dressed like him and acted like him :laugh:

poolieinnottingham · **Posted:** Tue Jan 24, 2017 9:02 pm

Rossiter is a great shout. If you've never seen Le Petomaine then you're in for a treat. Look it up, absolutely hilarious but with added pathos.

He was also great in Billy Liar.

JamboPoolie · **Joined:** Sun Mar 08, 2015 4:25 pm **Posts:** 12

Some of Will Hay's stuff was pretty good

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

JohnnyMars · **Joined:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:24 am **Posts:** 2478

JamboPoolie wrote:

Some of Will Hay's stuff was pretty good

Born just up the road in Stockton by the way...

Mr Irrelevant · **Joined:** Thu Aug 17, 2006 8:25 pm **Posts:** 22671

I still say Ronnie Barker.

Bossa Nova · **Joined:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:51 am **Posts:** 376

Margaret Rutherford, Joyce Grenfell and Beryl Reid you male chauvinist bastards.

Montpoolier · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:19 am

Chip Fireball wrote:

Bit surprised the OP had Norman Wisdom in ahead of Alec Guinness.

There's comedy and comedy though isn't there. Comedy as in extremely clever, witty, and amusing (e.g. Sir Alec or Leonard Rossiter, both of whom I like a lot), and rib hurtingly funny comedy.
I didn't even consider the carefully crafted, subtle scenario variety. I just came straight out with actors that had given me belly laughs. Slapstick if you like.

grabec · **Joined:** Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:45 am **Posts:** 830

I don't like funny fillums much. But Bill Nighy is a bit funny, and Maggie Smith also.

MutleyRules · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2017 11:58 am

Both good shouts Miss.Grabec!!!!

grabec · **Joined:** Thu Jun 04, 2015 10:45 am **Posts:** 830

I knew you'd agree, Mr Mutley

The Bishop · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2017 4:05 pm

I remember an Old Will Hay fillum where he played a Policeman in some small Cornish Town, it was really good. In the eighties (?) the fillum was remade starring "Cannon and Ball"!!!!! I think it was called "the Boys in Blue"?

I understand why Cannon and Ball haven't been mentioned for their acting in Comedy Fillums in this thread!!!!

Snowy · **Joined:** Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:18 pm **Posts:** 37684

Chip Fireball wrote:

Bit surprised the OP had Norman Wisdom in ahead of Alec Guinness.

Obviously better known as a straight actor, but Sir Alec starred in at least 3 films in most lists of the 20 Best UK Comedy films.

My two favourite Alec Guinness films are Barnacle Bill and The Man in the White Suit. The Ladykillers and Lavender Hill Mob close behind.

monkeybutt · **Posted:** Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:19 pm

Can I get 100 likes for Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr Bean and numerous other roles.

Or an amen?

accrington fan · **Joined:** Wed Jan 20, 2016 3:22 pm **Posts:** 19903

alec guiness in kind hearts and coronets. alistair sim and joyce grenfell in the original st.trinians films and some bits of will hay films oh mr porter the best for me.

Bossa Nova · **Joined:** Sun Feb 01, 2015 1:51 am **Posts:** 376

Terry-Thomas, Richard Wattis and Joyce Grenfell in "Blue Murder at St. Trinians".
Peerless comedy acting.

Funny British film actors

Gadgies online