Gorden Kaye
| Gorden Kaye | |
|---|---|
Kaye in 1974
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| Born |
Gordon Fitzgerald Kaye 7 April 1941 Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 23 January 2017 (aged 75) Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England |
| Other names | Gordon Kaye |
| Occupation | Actor, singer |
| Years active | 1968–2007 |
Gordon Irving "Gorden" Kaye (7 April 1941 – 23 January 2017) was an English actor and singer, best known for playing René Artois in the British comedy series 'Allo 'Allo!
Kaye was born in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, an only child. His mother, Gracie, was 42 when he was born. His father, Harold, was a lorry driver and in the ARP during the Second World War and at other times worked as an engineer in a tractor factory.
When young, Kaye played rugby league for Moldgreen ARLFC before studying at King James's Grammar School, Almondbury, Huddersfield. He worked in hospital radio in Huddersfield (interviewing the Beatles in 1965), and was employed in textile mills (including John Crowther), a wine factory, and a tractor factory.
Kaye had appeared in a radio play directed by Alan Ayckbourn and also in a television play from Manchester. Ayckbourn suggested that he audition for the Bolton Octagon Theatre; he was offered a contract and his roles there included Pishchik in The Cherry Orchard followed by roles in The Homecoming, The Imaginary Invalid, Luther and a double-bill of Oedipus and Cyclops.
He made his TV debut as a railway guard in the BBC's Yorkshire mill drama Champion House (1968) and played small roles in such films as The Party's Over (1965), starring Oliver Reed. Having been seen by Pat Phoenix in Little Malcolm by David Halliwell at Bolton, he was cast as Bernard Butler, the nephew of Elsie Tanner (Phoenix), in the soap opera Coronation Street in 1969. He later made an impression on producer/writer David Croft following guest roles in It Ain't Half Hot Mum and Come Back Mrs. Noah.
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