Biography

The Bishop Auckland-born entertainer began as a comic on the North-East club circuit, teaming up with Peter Lambert to become Lambert and Ross, a duo that became nationally known. When the partnership folded in the 1980s, Willie became a successful actor, with hits in film, TV and on stage. His big break was as the foul-mouthed father in the film Rita, Sue and Bob Too. He went on to acclaimed roles in Ken Loachs Riff Raff and Peter Greenaway's The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover. On TV he was seen in Our Friends In The North, and One Foot In The Grave, to name but a few. He died in 2000, following an accident at home. He was 62.

Photos

Filmography

View Minder
Minder

Minder

1979Series
7.0
View Heartbeat
Heartbeat

Heartbeat

1992Series
7.1
View The Bill
The Bill

The Bill

1984Series
6.7
View Tales from the Crypt
Tales from the Crypt

Tales from the Crypt

1989Series
8.0
View Dalziel & Pascoe
Dalziel & Pascoe

Dalziel & Pascoe

1996Series
6.3
View Brass Eye
Brass Eye

Brass Eye

1997Series
7.6
View The Storyteller
The Storyteller

The Storyteller

1988Series
8.2
View Our Friends in the North
Our Friends in the North

Our Friends in the North

1996Series
7.5
View The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover

1989Film
7.3
View One Foot in the Grave
One Foot in the Grave

One Foot in the Grave

1990Series
7.6
View The Fear
The Fear

The Fear

1988Series
5.0
View Blow Dry
Blow Dry

Blow Dry

2001Film
5.9