Gorden Kaye facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gorden Kaye
Kaye in 1974
Born	Gordon Irving Kaye 7 April 1941 Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died	23 January 2017(2017-01-23) (aged 75) Knaresborough, England
Other names	Gordon Kaye
Occupation	actor
Years active	1968–2007

Gorden Kaye (born Gordon Irving Kaye; 7 April 1941 – 23 January 2017) was an English actor. He was most famous for playing René Artois, a café owner, in the TV comedy series 'Allo 'Allo!.

Early Life and Education

Gorden Kaye was born on 7 April 1941 in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire. He was the only child of Harold and Gracie Kaye. His father, Harold, worked as a lorry driver during the Second World War. He also worked as an engineer in a tractor factory.

When he was young, Kaye played rugby league for Moldgreen ARLFC. He later studied at King James's Grammar School, Almondbury in Huddersfield. Before becoming an actor, he worked in different places. He worked in textile mills, a wine factory, and a tractor factory. He also worked in hospital radio in Huddersfield, where he interviewed famous people like Ken Dodd and the Beatles.

Acting Career Highlights

Kaye started his acting journey in radio and television plays. A director named Alan Ayckbourn suggested he try out for the Octagon Theatre, Bolton. He got a contract there and performed in several plays.

His first TV role was in 1968 in the BBC drama Champion House. He also appeared in small parts in films. In 1969, he joined the popular soap opera Coronation Street. He played Bernard Butler, the nephew of Elsie Tanner.

Later, he impressed TV producer David Croft with his guest roles in other shows. Kaye appeared in the film Porridge (1979) and the drama series All Creatures Great and Small. He also had roles in Shoestring and the children's drama Codename Icarus.

Gorden Kaye in London, 1974

Kaye also appeared in three episodes of Croft's sitcom Are You Being Served?. He had a small part in Terry Gilliam's film Brazil (1985). He also appeared in Gilliam's earlier film Jabberwocky (1977).

In 1984, he played Lymoges, Duke of Austria, in the BBC's Shakespeare production of King John. He also toured with the Royal National Theatre in As You Like It. In 1990, he appeared in an episode of Last of the Summer Wine.

Starring in Allo 'Allo!

In 1982, David Croft offered Gorden Kaye the main role in a new comedy series called 'Allo 'Allo!. Kaye accepted the part of René Artois, a café owner in occupied France during World War II.

He starred in all 84 episodes of the show, which ran from 1984 to 1992. He also performed in over 1,200 stage shows of 'Allo 'Allo!.

In 1986, Kaye was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life. He was surprised by the host, Eamonn Andrews, during a performance of the 'Allo 'Allo! stage show.

Kaye returned as René Artois for a special TV revival of 'Allo 'Allo! in 2007. He also performed the role in a stage show in Brisbane, Australia, with some of his original co-stars.

Later Life and Passing

In 1989, Gorden Kaye published his autobiography, René and Me: An Autobiography. He wrote it with Hilary Bonner. The unusual spelling of his first name, "Gorden" instead of "Gordon," was due to a typing error by the British Actors' Equity Association.

On 25 January 1990, Kaye was in a serious car accident during a big storm. He suffered head injuries when a piece of wood crashed through his car windscreen. He had a scar on his forehead from the accident. While he was recovering in the hospital, his agent showed him reruns of 'Allo 'Allo!. This helped him remember who he was and aided his recovery.

Gorden Kaye passed away on 23 January 2017, at the age of 75. He had been living in a care home in Knaresborough for his last two years. His funeral was held in Huddersfield Parish Church. Many of his co-stars from 'Allo 'Allo! and Coronation Street attended to pay their respects.

Filmography

Books

• René and Me: An Autobiography, co-written with Hilary Bonner, Sidgwick & Jackson, September 1989, ISBN: 0-283-99965-9