Michael Bentine; Original Cast Member of ‘The Goon Show’

Michael Bentine, 72, one of the four original members of England’s “The Goon Show.” He co-starred with Peter Sellers, Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe in “Crazy People,” which premiered in May 1951 on the BBC Home Service. It became “The Goon Show” in June 1952, and Bentine dropped out at the end of the year. Bentine developed his own shows for BBC Television, including “It’s a Square World” in 1960. “Square World” was regarded as Britain’s first television comedy program, as distinct from situation comedy. Offstage, Bentine lectured on the paranormal, sailed yachts, flew planes, was a crack pistol shot and archer, and published 14 books. On Wednesday of prostate cancer in London.