Bill Dean

Biography

Bill Dean was a British actor born Patrick Anthony Connolly in Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire, taking his stage name from Everton football legend William 'Dixie' Dean. He broke into showbiz as a stand-up comedian in Lancashire clubs before landing breakthrough roles with Ken Loach, including the film Family Life and TV play The Golden Vision. He is best known for playing miserly pensioner Harry Cross in Brookside, a role he reprised briefly in 1999 after his character's return. Dean passed away in 2000 at age 78 due to a heart attack.