Alfie Bass

Biography: Laughter should arise from natural situations, because the roots of comedy are in reality. The foibles of man can be both tragic and comic–and good comedy should also have an element of sadness about it.
–ALFIE BASS

Alfie Bass was born to Russian parents who had fled persecution in the USSR. He became a cabinetmaker and joined the Unity Theatre to build sets.

In 1939, he made his acting debut performing alongside Paul Robeson in the play Plant in the Sun.

Bass's landmark films included The Lavender Hill Mob, directed by the late Charles Crichton, and the Beatles' film Help! In between, he carved out a niche in television with the character of Private "Excuse Boots" Bisley in The Army Game and Bootsie and Snudge.

Modern TV audiences remember Bass for one-season roles on Till Death Us Do Part and Are You Being Served?