WARRINGTON born actor Burt Kwouk, who shot to fame as Inspector Clouseau’s side kick Cato in the Pink Panther movies has died aged 85.
Kwouk was born in Warrington but was brought up in Shanghai until he was 17 years old, when his Chinese parents returned to England.
He appeared in a total of seven Pink Panther films opposite Peter Sellers (Clouseau) and was involved in surprise madcap attack scenes.
Kwouk also starred in BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine from 2002 to 2010 and was awarded an OBE in the 2011 New Year Honour List.
He had a long and varied TV career, appearing in numerous shows including The Avengers and Doctor Who.
He also played Major Yamauchi in the 1980s wartime women prisoner of war television drama Tenko.
On the big screen he appeared in three James Bond films including Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice.
A statement issued by his agent said: “Beloved actor Burt Kwouk has sadly passed peacefully away. The family will be having a private funeral but there will be a memorial at a later date.”
Kwouk starring in Tenko – Picture courtesy BBC
