Born in London, England. Spirited performer of British music halls and legitimate stage from 1919, he also appeared in numerous films from 1921 in fine comic characterizations. He had a fine comic turn as the Gravedigger in Laurence Olivier's HAMLET (1948) and was featured in PASSPORT TO PIMLICO (1949) and THE LAVENDER HILL MOB (1951). Most memorable as Alfred Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY, both on stage and screen. He was nominated for an Oscar® for that performance. In all, he performed in almost 70 British films. Autobiography: Wiv' a Little Bit of Luck (1969). His son (b. 1944) is actor Julian Holloway.  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1964: MY FAIR LADY 1 nomination