Richard Beckinsale

 How does someone become a national treasure in just a few short years?

Richard Beckinsale managed it in a way few actors ever could—by capturing the nation’s heart during a career that ended far too soon. Best remembered for his roles in Porridge and Rising Damp, Beckinsale had a rare gift for blending warmth, vulnerability, and impeccable comic timing. His sudden death at only 31 shocked Britain and left behind the painful thought of what more he might have achieved.

Born in Nottingham in 1947, Beckinsale studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Even in those early days, his natural charm and gentle delivery set him apart. By the early 1970s, he had made his breakthrough and quickly became a familiar face on British television, often cast as the well-meaning, idealistic young man audiences couldn’t help but root for.

In Porridge, Beckinsale brought life to Lennie Godber, the naive but kind-hearted prisoner opposite Ronnie Barker’s worldly-wise Norman Stanley Fletcher. Their on-screen chemistry was a masterclass in comedy—subtle, truthful, and endlessly funny. Godber’s youthful optimism was the perfect counterbalance to Fletcher’s cynicism, and Beckinsale made the role unforgettable.

At the same time, he shone in Rising Damp as Alan, the soft-spoken student trying to make his way in Rigsby’s dilapidated boarding house. Surrounded by eccentric characters, Beckinsale’s understated performance gave the series its emotional anchor, proving again that his timing and delivery were second to none. He also explored film and theatre, hinting at a career that might have flourished in many directions.

Tragically, Beckinsale’s life was cut short in 1979 when he died of a heart attack. His death stunned the public and the entertainment world alike. Though his career was brief, the affection and admiration he inspired remain strong to this day. His daughter, Kate Beckinsale, has gone on to build her own successful acting career, but Richard’s unique warmth and talent are remembered as entirely his own.