He was born to Jewish parents in London, and served his national service in the RAF before spending time in the United States, where he heard the patter and one-liners of American comedians.
On returning to England, he worked in the clothing trade, and performed as an amateur comedian in London pubs in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
[1] He was spotted by television journalist Daniel Farson, who booked him to appear in the East End pub he owned, the Waterman's Arms, alongside performers Rex Jameson (Mrs Shufflewick) and Queenie Watts.
[1] He was dropped before the third series of Stars and Garters in late 1965, and appeared as a taxi driver in The Avengers in 1966 (the episode "The Girl From Auntie").
[1] He reappeared on British television in 1969, as a team member in the comedy panel show Jokers Wild, hosted by Barry Cryer and also featuring Les Dawson, Arthur Askey and Ted Ray.