Quick Facts
Biography
Barry Frederick Howard (9 July 1937 – 28 April 2016) was an English actor. He was best known for his role as Barry Stuart-Hargreaves in the first seven series of the long-running BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, in which his deadpan comedy style and classic facial expressions made him a popular character.
Life and career
Howard was born in Nottingham. While completing his national service in the Royal Navy, Howard found himself wanting to train for the theatre at the Birmingham Theatre School. Unable to gain a grant from the local authority, he worked for almost two years at the Alexandra Theatre in a backstage role to fund his place at drama school.
Howard appeared in Terry and June, You Rang, M'Lord?, The House of Windsor and Dad, in addition to Hi-de-Hi! In 2004, Howard played the character of Geoffrey in the short film Open Casket. In November 2009, he appeared in an episode of the BBC comedy Beautiful People. Howard appeared in Doctor Who, in its 2009 two-part Christmas special, as driver of the mini-bus containing the old age pensioners' group seeking the Doctor.
In 2012, Howard appeared in the fifth series of the BBC Radio 4 comedy Fags, Mags and Bags as Frank Butcher. In 2015, he provided the voice of the lead character in ITV's sitcom Mr Snufflesworth. Mr Snufflesworth is a live action comedy starring a dachshund dog who lives in South London.
Howard was also a stage actor, and regularly appeared in pantomimes as an ugly sister opposite John Inman.
Death
Howard died from blood cancer, aged 78, on 28 April 2016 in Poole, Dorset.
Notable television roles
- Hi-de-Hi! as Barry Stuart-Hargreaves
- The House of Windsor as Danny Jackson