Comedian And Writer Barry Cryer Passes Away At 86

Barry Charles Cryer was an English writer, comedian, and an actor, who sadly passed away on the 25^th of January 2022 aged 86. Some of his most notable works come from stage, radio, and television platforms, ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’ being one of them where he hosted in 1972 and starred in from 1972 to 2022. It is a shame that recently many icons, including Barry Cryer, have passed away since the beginning of 2022, but what better way to move forward than looking at all the triumphs; so, read on and find out what Barry Cryer has managed to achieve in his lifetime.

Unsurprisingly, Barry Cryer has written for some of the biggest names in British comedy, such as Dave Allen, Stanley Baxter, Jack Benny, Rory Bremner, George Burns, Jasper Carrott, Tommy Cooper, Les Dawson, Dick Emery, Kenny Everett, Bruce Forsyth, David Frost, Bob Hope, Frankie Howerd, Richard Pryor, Spike Milligan, Mike Yarwood, The Two Ronnies, and Morecambe and Wise.

Early in his career, Barry Cryer started out “as the bottom billing act at the Windmill theatre in London’s West End, which put on comedy acts between the risqué performances for which it was better known”. A legend of British comedy now, he was initially spotted by David Frost, who then invited him to write for ‘The Frost Report’, which aired in 1966; the writing team consisted of “a collection of future comedy heavyweights, including John Cleese, Ronnie Barker, and Graham Chapman”.

He later became a regular panellist on the BBC radio comedy programme ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’ and often worked in partnership with other comedians; he also received an OBE in 2001, and in 2018, he was given the lifetime achievement award by the British Music Hall Society for his comedy career.

Barry Cryer once said in 1998, “I haven’t had a career, just a series of incidents. I’ve been dogged by good luck all my life.”

After his passing, his family released this statement:

“It is our sad duty to inform you that our dear dad Barry (or Baz to his mates) died on Tuesday afternoon at Northwick Park hospital, in Harrow. However, we’re pleased to say that he died peacefully, in good spirits and with his family around him. He was 86. Dad was a talented comedy writer and comedian in a particularly golden vintage. Incidentally he never really liked the terms ‘comedy writer’ or ‘comedian’ instead preferring hack and entertainer, and always thought the term ‘national treasure’ meant he’d just been dug up. He was, in his words, arrogant in his humility. Baz was, firstly, a loving husband to Terry for nearly 60 years and a gentle father to Tony, David, Jack, Bob. He was a friend to their partners Jayne, Matt, Garry and Suzannah. As a grandfather Ruby, Tom, Evan, Archie, Hope, Martha and Connie all loved him and more recently, Ruby’s daughter, Isobel, had the good fortune to spend time with him as a great-grandfather.”

Gyles Brandreth tweeted in remembrance of his friend Barry Cryer. “RIP #BarryCryer.  Here we are only a few weeks ago.  Baz was just the loveliest guy: funny & generous. He’d worked with everybody & everybody he worked with liked him. I shall miss his happy company so much – & his regular phone calls: he gave you a gem of a joke with each one.”

He followed that up with another tweet saying, “RIP #BarryCryer. I took this happy picture in the churchyard of St Paul’s, Covent Garden. Wherever Barry went he brought laughter with him – even to memorial services. And he went to lots because he’d worked with everyone! He was generous about everyone: a great mentor & friend.”

Stephen Fry also tweeted a message about Barry Crier, “Such sad news, one of the absolute greats of British comedy, Barry Cryer, is no more. A glorious, gorgeous, hilarious and gifted writer and performer who straddled all the comic traditions. Universally beloved … farewell, Baz.”