William Robertson Russell Bennett DCM MM (21 November 1887 – 30 June 1942) was a British comedian who specialised in parodies of dramatic monologues and was billed as "Almost a Gentleman".

Billy Bennett trained as an acrobat but was initially reluctant to follow his father on the stage, instead enlisting in the army.

[3] James Agate wrote of Bennett: Nobody who saw him is ever likely to forget that rubicund, unaesthetic countenance, that black, plastered quiff, that sergeant-major's moustache, that dreadful dinner-jacket, that well-used dickey and seedy collar, the too-short trousers, the hob-nailed boots, the red silk handkerchief tucked into the waistcoat, the continual perspiration which was the outward and visible sign of a mind struggling for expression - these things will not be forgotten.

[5] In 1930, when his contracts prevented him from broadcasting under his own name,[6] he adapted his act to radio, appearing with, first, James Carew, and later Albert Whelan, as "two simple coons", the cross-talkers Alexander and Mose.

[1] Bennett was an important influence on comedians George Formby, Tommy Cooper, Ron Moody, Eric Morecambe, Ken Dodd[1] and Spike Milligan[citation needed].