Ray Brooks

Actor

Ray Brooks

Born April 20, 1939 in Brighton, East Sussex, England, UKDied August 9, 202522 films

Ray Brooks was a British actor famous for his role as the narrator in the classic children's cartoon series Mr Benn, for the films The Knack...And How To Get It, Daleks - Invasion Earth: 2150AD and Cathy Come Home, and for the TV series Big Deal and Growing Pains. In later years he played Joe Macer, the husband and murderer of Albert Square stalwart Pauline Fowler, in the BBC's long running soap opera EastEnders and has wrote several books, including his autobiography. He died at the age of 86 on 9th August 2025 following a short illness. He had been living with dementia in his final years.

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The best way into Ray Brooks's work
The Knack... and How to Get It posterFirst watchThe Knack... and How to Get It19656.0as TolenA leading role in one of the best-rated films of their career.A nebbish schoolteacher begs his smooth (and misogynistic) pal to teach him 'the knack' – how to score with women. Serendipitously, the men meet up with a new girl in town, as well as a…View film

Essential films

Ranked by role, acclaim and reach

Filmography

22 films as actor
  1. 1990The World of Eddie WearyAlex Conway/Eddie Weary
  2. 1983Office RomancesGordon Spelle
  3. 1982Some of Your Bits Ain't Nice!Narrator (voice)
  4. 1978A Touch of the Tiny HackettsRaymond Collis
  5. 1974House of WhipcordTony
  6. 1973AssassinCraig
  7. 1973The Middle-of-the-Road Roadshow for All the FamilyPeter Queech
  8. 1973Tiffany JonesGuy
  9. 1973Baffled!George Tracewell
  10. 1973A Thinking Man as HeroSteve Abelman
  11. 1972Alice's Adventures in Wonderland5 of Spades
  12. 1972The Flesh and Blood ShowMike
  13. 1971The Cherry OrchardYasha
  14. 1971Office PartyPaul
  15. 1970The Last GrenadeLt. David Coulson
  16. 1966Cathy Come HomeReg Ward
  17. 1966Daleks' Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.David
  18. 1965The Knack... and How to Get ItTolen
  19. 1962Play It CoolFreddy
  20. 1962Some PeopleJohnnie
  21. 1962H.M.S. DefiantHayes
  22. 1959Captured