Comedy Legend Kenneth Williams Remembered on Centenary
Dame Maggie Smith once remarked that Kenneth Williams could make a place "suddenly marvellous just by being there," while fellow performer Fenella Fielding noted "he could be hideous." Close friend Gyles Brandreth described him as "Outrageous, waspish, wickedly funny, and often wicked simply to be funny." These contrasting portraits capture the essence of Carry On star Kenneth Williams, one of British comedy's most polarising yet brilliant figures, born one hundred years ago.
Tragic Death and Unresolved Circumstances
Kenneth Williams tragically died of a drug overdose in April 1988 at the age of sixty-two. The coroner recorded an open verdict, as investigators could not determine whether the overdose was intentional or accidental. Williams had been prescribed medication for chronic health issues including severe stomach ulcers and debilitating back pain. Friends suggested his death was likely accidental, arguing he would not have taken his own life while his elderly mother was still alive and residing next door.
Substantial Estate and Canine Beneficiaries
Following his passing, Williams left portions of his estate to close friend and neighbour Paul Richardson, including a valuable collection of personal diaries and letters. A Will Trust was established to manage annual charitable donations from his estate, valued at over five hundred thousand pounds. Recent figures reveal that in 2024, the trust distributed significant sums to animal welfare organisations: forty-six thousand pounds each to Guide Dogs For The Blind and Battersea Dogs Home, thirty-four thousand five hundred pounds to the PDSA, and fifty-seven thousand five hundred pounds to the RNLI.
Blue Plaque Tribute by Barbara Windsor
On February 22nd, 2014, actress Barbara Windsor unveiled a blue plaque in honour of her friend and co-star Kenneth Williams, commemorating what would have been his eighty-eighth birthday. Windsor developed a close bond with the comedy icon through their numerous collaborations in the Carry On film series. The English Heritage plaque is affixed to the London flat where Williams lived during the 1960s, a period when he achieved national fame through his film roles and regular appearances on the popular radio comedy programme Round The Horne.
At the plaque unveiling, Barbara Windsor stated: "Kenny was a one-off, a true original, and a great friend. I'm absolutely chuffed that English Heritage is celebrating him with a blue plaque." Williams resided in Flat 62 at Farley Court, a 1929 apartment building near Madame Tussauds, from 1963 to 1970. This was his home while filming classic comedies such as Carry On Cleo, Carry On Up The Khyber, and Carry On Camping at Pinewood Studios.
Personal Reflections from His Diaries
In his personal diaries, Williams expressed elation about moving to the Farley Court property, writing: "My bedroom looks out over Regent's Park. The trees are turning now and the sight is beautiful. I can see all the traffic twinkling down the Marylebone Rd - It's all so marvellous, I could cry." On another occasion, he documented observing "the nits crowding round outside the waxworks. How I loathe them and Madame Tussaud," revealing his characteristically sharp wit and occasional disdain for tourist crowds.
The legacy of Kenneth Williams endures through both his comedic contributions and his posthumous philanthropic support for canine charities, ensuring his memory continues to benefit causes close to his heart decades after his untimely death.
