Henry McGee
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry McGee (May 14, 1929 – January 28, 2006) was a British actor best known as straight man to Benny Hill for many years. McGee also served often as the announcer on Hill's TV programme, delivering the upbeat intro "Yes! It's The Benny Hill Show!"
Born in South Kensington, London, McGee hoped to become a doctor, but the death of his father when he was 17 put financial strains on the family that forced the abandonment of his plans. Having enjoyed acting as a schoolboy, McGee decided to follow in the footsteps of his mother's side of the family, which could trace its involvement back in acting to Kitty Clive. He went on to play supporting roles in many films and television series and dramas, including The Saint and The Avengers, but it is for his comedy roles that he is best remembered. Ironically, his most enduring role was as the long suffering 'mummy' of 'Honey Monster', a large, yellow, furry creature appearing in advertisements for the breakfast cereal Sugar Puffs.
He played 'Two-Ton Ted' in the promotional video of Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West). His other comedy roles included the Centre Manager in On The Buses, and opposite Charlie Drake in the comedy The Worker (1965 - 1970).
He had a long and successful theatre career, during which he tackled a wide range of roles, receiving critical plaudits for his deadpan delivery in farces such as Plunder.
He spent the last six months of his life in a nursing home, suffering from Alzheimer's disease.