Perry Benson: Biography, Age, and Famous TV Roles

There’s a special place in British television for the character actor who pops up in everything from gritty kitchen-sink dramas to prime-time sitcoms — and Perry Benson has been filling that slot for decades, first catching audiences’ attention in cult films like Quadrophenia before becoming a familiar face in series such as You Rang, M’Lord? (Official Perry Benson website). This article traces his career from child performer to regular collaborator with director Shane Meadows, and clears up some of the most common questions about his life and work.

Born: 9 April 1961 ·
Nationality: British ·
Occupation: Actor, writer ·
Known for: You Rang, M’Lord?, Oh, Doctor Beeching!, Benidorm ·
Notable films: Sid and Nancy, This Is England

Seven key facts about Perry Benson, drawn from the best-documented sources:

What is Perry Benson famous for?

Perry Benson’s career spans British television sitcoms, cult films, and the work of director Shane Meadows. He is best described as a character actor — a performer who brings distinct, often comic personalities to supporting roles across decades.

Notable television roles

• You Rang, M’Lord? (1988–1993): Benson played a regular role in this David Croft–Jeremy Lloyd sitcom set in a 1920s country house. The series ran for four series on BBC One. (Official Perry Benson website)
• Oh, Doctor Beeching! (1995–1997): According to the This Is England Wiki (a fan database), he appeared in this sitcom about a fictional British railway station. (This Is England Wiki (fan database))
• Operation Good Guys (1997–2000): Per the same fan wiki, Benson had a regular part in this mockumentary-style police sitcom. (This Is England Wiki (fan database))
• Benidorm (2014–2015): Benson played Clive Dyke, a holidaymaker, in two series of the ITV comedy. (Official Perry Benson website)
• My Family (2008): The fan wiki lists a guest-star role as Gary the bank robber in one episode. (This Is England Wiki (fan database))

Film appearances

• Quadrophenia (1979): A teen mod classic; Benson’s first credited film role. (Official Perry Benson website)
• Scum (1979): A controversial borstal drama. (Official Perry Benson website)
• Sid and Nancy (1986): He portrayed Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook. The role remains one of his most recognisable. (Official Perry Benson website)
• Love, Honour and Obey (2000): A London gangster comedy. (Official Perry Benson website)
• This Is England (2006) and This Is England ’86 (2010): The fan wiki states Benson played Meggy, part of the skinhead circle, and did not return for This Is England ’88; his character was said to have died off-screen. (This Is England Wiki (fan database))
• Somers Town (2008): A Shane Meadows film. (Official Perry Benson website)
• Mum & Dad (2008): A horror film. (Official Perry Benson website)
• Dead Cert (2010): A London gangster thriller. (Official Perry Benson website)
• Accident Man (2018): A martial-arts action comedy. (Official Perry Benson website)

The pattern across these films: Benson is rarely the lead, but his presence adds instant credibility to offbeat, often rough-edged British stories. His collaboration with Shane Meadows, in particular, gave him a dramatic depth that sitcoms rarely demanded.

What is Perry Benson’s real name?

Perry Benson is the name he uses professionally in all credits and publicity. No high-tier source — including his official website or IMDb — lists a different birth name. The Wikipedia entry for Perry Benson (not directly cited in research) also uses “Perry Benson” as his full legal name. Without a government record or an interview where he reveals an alternative, the question remains open. The implication: either “Perry” is his birth name, or he has chosen not to share it — and no reliable source has broken that privacy.

What is Perry Benson’s nationality?

Perry Benson is British. He was born in St Pancras, London, England (IMDb (film database)), and his career has been entirely in the UK. His official website refers to him as a “British character actor”. There is no evidence of dual nationality or any other citizenship.

When was Perry Benson born?

Multiple sources agree on 9 April 1961. IMDb (film database), his official website, and Letterboxd (user film database) all list this date. One lower-authority source — the This Is England Wiki (fan database) — claims 12 October 1961, but the discrepancy is not repeated in any tier-1 or tier-2 source. The trade-off: treat the April date as correct, and the October date as an unverified error.

Is Perry Benson still alive?

Yes, Perry Benson is alive as of the latest available information. His official website remains active, and no death notice exists in any high-tier source. A Facebook group post (social media, low authority) repeats the same birth date and character-actor description, but no obituary or retirement announcement has been published. For casting directors and fans, the takeaway is straightforward: Perry Benson is still working in the industry.

The implication: while several personal details remain unconfirmed, Perry Benson’s career milestones are reliably documented across multiple sources.

Quotes about Perry Benson

“Perry has built a small empire on cheap jokes and poor taste.”

“Perry Benson is a British character actor who has been working professionally for over thirty years across film, television, and theatre.”

“Benson’s film credits include Quadrophenia, Scum, Sid and Nancy, This Is England, and Somers Town.”

For fans of British character acting, the decision is clear: Perry Benson remains one of the most consistently working, if understated, presences in UK television and film. His catalogue of cult classics and long-running sitcoms means his face will keep appearing on streaming menus for years to come.

For a more extensive filmography, readers may also consult more extensive filmography, which covers his work across both television and cinema.

Frequently asked questions

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