Alec Bregonzi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alec Bregonzi (b. 21 April 1930, London - d. 4 June 2006) was an English actor who appeared in a number of stage and television roles.

Bregonzi began his career as a professional actor in 1955 in repertory theatre in Farnham, then in York, Bromley and Leatherhead, amongst other places. Work in the West End followed, in Tennessee Williams' Camino Real, where he played two parts and understudied Ronnie Barker.

In 1957, Bregonzi appeared in Hancock's Half Hour for the first time. He went on to appear in 22 of the 63 episodes made for BBC Television. Duncan Wood, the television director of Hancock's Half Hour recommended Bregonzi to other directors, so that he also appeared in 1950s/60s shows starring Benny Hill, Charlie Drake, Arthur Askey, Ted Ray, Frankie Howerd, Harry Worth, Jimmy Logan, and Alan Melville, among others.

Later on, Bregonzi worked with comedians Cannon and Ball, Kenny Everett, Hale and Pace, Little and Large, Kelly Monteith, and in the television series The Two Ronnies (with Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett) and Filthy Rich and Catflap (with Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson and Nigel Planer). In 'straight' television, he has appeared in The Mayor of Casterbridge, The Barchester Chronicles, Mapp & Lucia, Don Camillo, Great Expectations, London's Burning, The Recruiting Officer, A Royal Scandal and, most recently, Happiness.

In 1958, Bregonzi toured with Tony Hancock, where they performed the famous "Budgerigar" sketch together on tour and in the Royal Variety Performance and on television (in Christmas Night with the Stars). They toured together again in 1961.

Bregonzi read viewers' letters for four years on BBC TV's Points of View, hosted by Barry Took, which led to a radio series Joke By Joke, compiled by Took. He has also appeared in radio comedy with Kenneth Connor, Richard Briers and others. In 1995-1997, he played the voice parts of several characters in the puppet series The Treacle People.

He has appeared in several films, including the French film L'Etincelle, which he regards as his best film part. Bregonzi's extensive acting work included television commercials, both in the UK and abroad.