The son of a London business man. Attended Islington's Dame Alice Owen
School. Was granted a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
(RADA), where he won the school's silver medal. Brother of actor
David Kossoff, and uncle to
Paul Kossoff, guitarist of rock group Free.
After leaving RADA, he appeared in a 1928 West End production of Major
Barbara, did a stint as a comedian at London's Windmill Theatre and
specialised in playing American parts on radio. He was awarded an OBE
in 1991. Has a son Brian and a daughter Linda.