The city of Leeds boasts a wealth of talented and successful individuals. Many stars of show business were born here. While most moved to the capital or other major cities to pursue their careers, some stayed in their beloved Leeds. Today, we will discuss Barry Cryer, a writer, comedian, and actor who was born and raised in Leeds. Learn more on leedski.com.
Childhood and Education
The future actor and comedian was born in Leeds in 1935. He grew up in the family of an accountant, but his father passed away when Barry was only five years old. He attended Leeds Grammar School before studying English Literature at the University of Leeds.
It is worth noting that Cryer was not particularly enthusiastic about his studies. He admitted that during his university years, he preferred clubbing and socialising with girls over academic pursuits.
Career Development
Barry Cryer’s career began with scriptwriting. He worked as a writer for the Proscenium Players, the first Jewish amateur stage group based in Leeds, founded in 1948. Later, he was offered a position at Leeds City Varieties Theatre, where the long-running TV variety show The Good Old Days was filmed.
During this time, Barry decided to leave university as his first year had not gone well. He moved to London and started performing at the Windmill Theatre, renowned for its risqué shows alternating with comedic acts.
However, Cryer’s acting career was hindered by his health issues. He suffered from eczema, which led to 12 hospitalisations over eight years. Realising that his condition would prevent him from fully pursuing an acting career, Barry decided to focus more on writing.
His first writing efforts included four sketches for The Jimmy Logan Show, co-written with Douglas Camfield. He later became head writer and occasionally performed at a London nightclub. Cryer also worked on A Degree of Frost and joined its writing team.
In the 1970s, Barry Cryer gained fame as a comedy writer, collaborating with Chapman and Monty. Together, they wrote nearly 50 television shows, including No – That’s Me Over Here!, Now Look Here, and The Prince of Denmark.
Cryer also authored an autobiography, You Won’t Believe This, But…, and a joke book, Pigs Can Fly.
Beyond Scriptwriting
Barry Cryer was not solely focused on writing. His love for the stage remained strong, and he performed with Tim Brooke-Taylor and John Junkin in the BBC radio series Hello, Cheeky!. His other works included the TV series The Steam Video Company and voicing the judge in the animated comedy musical Dick Deadeye, or Duty Done.
Cryer also hosted ITV’s comedy panel game Jokers Wild. Additionally, he acted in All You Need Is Cash and Bloodbath at the House of Death. The rise of comedians writing their own material influenced Cryer to spend more time performing on stage rather than writing scripts.
In 1962, Barry Cryer married Theresa Donovan, a singer and dancer. The couple had four children.
Cryer passed away in January 2022 at the age of 86. He was an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, an honorary Doctor of Arts at the University of Leeds, and a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, a charitable entertainment organisation.
This is the story of Barry Cryer, a Leeds native who left behind a legacy of brilliant scripts and memorable comedic roles.