Career
Born in Mile End Road in the East End of London to Jewish parents Koppel and Dora Kodeish, Kaye was so small at birth that he was not expected to live. As a schoolboy he appeared in amateur revues and shows at his school, making his professional debut at the Mile End Empire in 1935. On the outbreak of the Second World War Kaye tried to join up but was turned down due to his short stature.
Instead, he spent the war years entertaining troops at Royal Air Force bases, munitions factories and Army camps as well as on British Broadcasting Corporation radio.
He played Benny Southstreet in the original 1953 London production of Guys and Dolls at the London Coliseum, and played five different characters in the 1961 Wolf Mankowitz musical Belle (based on the case of Doctor Crippen) at the Strand Theatre. From 1954 to 1968 Kaye presented a new show each month at London"s Embassy Club, and also starred in Androcles and the Lion and The Bishop"s Bonfire at the Mermaid Theatre.
He appeared in many films including,,,,, and On television he appeared in Sapphire and Steel.
He also appeared in pantomime.
Kaye"s last British television appearance was on the Barrymore Show where he performed his famous One Manitoba Band acting In 1985 the Variety Club of Great Britain gave a lunch for Kaye at London"s Hilton Hotel in celebration of his 50 years in show business. He was a Past King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats (1984), and later was Preceptor.
Kaye was awarded the Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire in Her Majesty The Queen"s 1995 New Year Honours for his services to charity.
He died in Paradise Island in the Bahamas. He is the father of entertainers Kaplan Kaye and Melody Kaye.
