Monkhouse, Robert Alan

▪ 2004

“Bob” 

      British comedian and television personality (b. June 1, 1928, Beckenham, Kent, Eng.—d. Dec. 29, 2003, Eggington, Bedfordshire, Eng.), was a mainstay of British TV sitcoms and quiz shows for more than 50 years; he was admired for his comfortable on-screen affability and his seemingly endless supply of fast-talking one-liner jokes, though his critics denounced him as “smarmy.” After beginning as a stand-up comic and a gag writer for other performers, Monkhouse hosted some dozen TV game shows, including Candid Camera (1960–67), The Golden Shot (1967–71, 1974–75), Celebrity Squares (1975–79, 1993–94), Family Fortunes (1979–83), and Bob's Full House (1984–90). He also appeared in several films and published two volumes of memoirs. Monkhouse was made OBE in 1993.

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