Arnold Yarrow

Biography and cause of death of Arnold Yarrow

Arnold Yarrow (17 April 1920 – 9 December 2024) was a British actor, screenwriter and novelist best known for his brief role as bricklayer Benny Bloom in television soap opera EastEnders. Like the character, he was Jewish.

Arnold Yarrow Life and career

Yarrow is also known to Doctor Who fans for his portrayal as diminutive Exxilon leader Bellal in the 1974 serial Death to the Daleks. In 2020, Yarrow became the fourth (credited) performer associated with the franchise to become a centenarian after Zohra Sehgal, Olaf Pooley and Earl Cameron, as well as the sixth including non–credited actors Lewis Alexander and Peggy Batchelor.

His other television appearances include roles in Crane, Ghost Squad, Coronation Street, Dr. Finlay’s Casebook, The Onedin Line and London’s Burning, as well as a part in the 1993 film Son of the Pink Panther.

Yarrow’s scriptwriting work includes episodes of Crown Court, Warship, Softly, Softly: Task Force and EastEnders. As well as this, Yarrow wrote numerous books such as TV tie–ins like Softly Softly Casebook and Softly Softly Murder Casebook as well as his own novels Death is a Z and The Grease–Paint Monkey.

Yarrow lived in Herne Bay, Kent. He turned 100 in April 2020, and died in Herne Bay on 9 December 2024, aged 104. At the age of 104 years and 236 days, he is believed to be the longest-lived actor to have had a credited role in Doctor Who.

Source: Wikipedia