Reg Varney

Biography

Reg Varney was an English actor, entertainer and comedian, born in Canning Town in 1916, who started out as a music hall performer and pianist. He gained national attention for his role as Reg Turner, a factory foreman, in the BBC sitcom The Rag Trade (1961 to 1963), then appeared in Beggar My Neighbour (1966 to 1968) and in the film The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966). His most successful lead role was as bus driver Stan Butler in the LWT sitcom On the Buses (1969 to 1973), which led to three spin-off films: Holiday on the Buses (1973), Mutiny on the Buses (1972) and On the Buses (1971). After leaving the series, he starred in an eponymous sketch show (1973 to 1974) and the sitcom Down the 'Gate (1975 to 1976). He later entertained on cruise ships, toured Australia with a one-man show and released several albums.

92years old at death

Born July 11, 1916Canning Town
Died November 16, 2008Budleigh Salterton
Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
Also credited as Reginald Alfred Varney and Reginald Varney

Movie Career

Films: 4
Career span: 7 years1966 to 1973

Every film, newest first

1973Holiday on the BusesIMDb rating 5.8
1972Mutiny on the BusesIMDb rating 5.8
1971On the BusesIMDb rating 6.0
1966The Great St Trinian's Train RobberyIMDb rating 5.8

Genres

Did you know?!

Getting ready for a role
Varney tried to earn a public service vehicle license so he could be filmed driving a bus on the open road for On the Buses, but the production company had to hire professional drivers because he was not insured.
Big break
Varney had few film and TV credits before he was cast as Reg Turner, the long-suffering factory foreman in the BBC sitcom The Rag Trade, which aired from 1961 to 1963 and made him a household name. He knew he was the only performer lacking West End experience and worked to make up for it.

Reg Varney movies on Netflix

Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8as Stan Butler
Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8as Stan Butler
On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0as Stan Butler
The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery1966IMDb rating 5.8as Gilbert

Most often with

Harry Booth directed two of these films. Five actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Michael Robbins

Doris Hare

Stephen Lewis

Anna Karen

Bob Grant

David LodgeHarry BoothDirector, 2 films

Films together

Michael Robbins3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Michael Robbins's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerRobbins as Arthur Rudge
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerRobbins as Arthur, Stan's Brother in Law
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Varney as Stan ButlerRobbins as Arthur Rudge
Doris Hare3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Doris Hare's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerHare as Mrs. Mabel Butler
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerHare as Stan's Mum
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Varney as Stan ButlerHare as Mrs. Butler
Stephen Lewis3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Stephen Lewis's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerLewis as Inspector Cyril 'Blakey' Blake
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerLewis as The Inspector
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Varney as Stan ButlerLewis as Inspector Blakey
Anna Karen3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Anna Karen's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerKaren as Olive Rudge
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerKaren as Olive, Stan's Sister
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Varney as Stan ButlerKaren as Olive Rudge
Bob Grant3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Bob Grant's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerGrant as Jack Harper
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerGrant as Jack, Stan's Conductor
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Varney as Stan ButlerGrant as Jack Harper
David Lodge2 films together, 1971 to 1972
David Lodge's page
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan ButlerLodge as Safari Guard
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Varney as Stan ButlerLodge as Busman
Harry BoothDirector, 2 films, 1971 to 1972
All films by Harry Booth
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Varney as Stan Butler
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Varney as Stan Butler
Also two films together2 more actors
- Arthur MullardHoliday on the Buses (1973) and The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966)
- Pat AshtonMutiny on the Buses (1972) and On the Buses (1971)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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