Biography
Born: 26th
January
1922
Died:
26th November 1996
Michael was born in Watford,
Hertfordshire to an English mother and Peruvian father. He was well educated at
a Folkestone private school and Eton College, then served as an intelligence
officer in the RAF during World War Two.
Michael was born in Watford, Hertfordshire to an
English mother and Peruvian father. He was well educated at a Folkestone private
school and Eton College, then served as an intelligence officer in the RAF
during World War Two.
On leaving the service he
became a comedian and script-writer and was the first of the Goons to make it
into London's West End.
Michael was a founder
member of the Goon Show, but left after the second series before the show
reached the peak of success. Creative friction between him and Milligan, plus
his own ambitions are given as reasons for his
departure.
He went on to perform and write many
TV/radio shows, books and much more. Despite this he is still remembered by many
as the "other" Goon. Very few of the early episodes that Bentine appeared in
have survived, so his contribution to the show is frequently
overlooked.
In 1995 Bentine received a CBE for
Services to Entertainment. He was married once and had two children (Richard and
Serena) with his wife Clementina.
Posted: Tue - May 30, 2006 at 09:46 AM