Harry Landis (born Hyman Jacob Londinsky, 25 November 1926 – 11 September 2022) was a British actor and director. He had a long career in theatre, film and television, spanning over 60 years. Landis was best known for playing barber Felix Kawalski in EastEnders from 1995 to 1997, and Mr. Morris in the Channel 4 sitcom Friday Night Dinner from 2012 to 2014.
Early life and education
Harry Landinski, known as Harry Landis, was born Hyman Jacob Londinsky in Stepney in the East End of London on 25 November 1926. He came from a poor background as the only child of a Polish mother, Sarah (née Sadie Chibulam), and a father, Morris Londinsky, a taxi driver, who left when Harry was a baby. Landis was educated at Stepney Jewish School until he was 14, when he left to become a chef in a kitchen. However, he found out that apprenticeships were only available to those aged over 16. Landis got a job in a café, before working as a window cleaner and milkman. While working in a factory, he would perform the show he had seen at the Hackney Empire the previous night, and the shop steward encouraged him to go to the Unity Theatre, which was linked to the trade union and labour movement. After an audition, Landis began working with them. After doing his military service, he returned to...More about Harry Landis...