Biography
Ronald Alfred Shiner (8 June 1903 in London – 29 June 1966 in London) was a British stand-up comedian and comedic actor whose career encompassed film, West End theatre and music hall. A former Royal Northwest Mounted Police Officer, farmer, greengrocer, milkman, bookie's clerk, soldier and film extra, Shiner shot to fame appearing in 1,700 performances of the stage hit Worm's Eye View from 1945 to 1947 (he would later top his own record by appearing in the play Seagulls Over Sorrento for 2,000 performances between 1950 and 1954). At the height of his career Shiner insured his nose for £10,000 because he said "it's me beak which made 'em larf." In retirement he owned a pub at Blackboys in Sussex but was plagued by ill health in his final years and retired to Eastbourne. He died there in June 1966 leaving an estate of £30,955.
Movies & TV Shows
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Caesar and Cleopatra (1945) — 2nd Porter
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St. Martin's Lane (1938) — Barman (uncredited)
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The Magic Box (1952) — Fairground Barker
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The Case of the Frightened Lady (1940) — Sergeant Totty
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Innocents in Paris (1953) — Dicky Bird
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They Drive by Night (1938) — Charlie
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My Learned Friend (1943) — Man in Wilson's Bar
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Let George Do It! (1940) — Musician (uncredited)
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The Gentle Sex (1943) — Racegoer
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A Yank at Oxford (1938) — Bicycle Repairman (uncredited)
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Trouble Brewing (1939) — Bridgewater
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Forbidden (1949) — Dan Collins
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Dry Rot (1956) — Alf Tubbe
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Carry On Admiral (1957) — Salty Simpson
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I Live in Grosvenor Square (1945) — Paratrooper
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The Young Mr. Pitt (1942) — Man in Stocks
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Come on George! (1939) — Nat
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Bees in Paradise (1944) — Ronald Wild
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The Navy Lark (1959) — CPO Banyard
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Aunt Clara (1954) — Henry Martin
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Operation Bullshine (1959) — Gunner Slocum
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Unpublished Story (1942) — Agitator
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Miss London Ltd. (1943) — Sailor Meredith
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King Arthur Was a Gentleman (1942) — Sergeant
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Get Cracking (1943) — Everett Manley
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Squibs (1935) — Bill
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Keep It Clean (1956) — Bert Lane
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Spare a Copper (1940) — Piano Mover
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Beauty and the Barge (1937) — Augustus
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The Black Sheep of Whitehall (1942) — Porter
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The Big Blockade (1942) — Shipping clerk (uncredited)
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Flying Fifty-Five (1939) — Scrubby Oaks
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Old Bill and Son (1941) — Bert
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Not Wanted on Voyage (1957) — Higgins
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Dinner at the Ritz (1937) — Sydney
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Laughing Anne (1953) — Nobby Clark
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George in Civvy Street (1946) — Fingers
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The Balloon Goes Up (1942) — Sergeant Shiner
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Gentlemen's Agreement (1935) — Jim Ferrin
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They Flew Alone (1942) — Mechanic