Ray Brooks, the British actor known for his roles in "EastEnders" and the 1970s children's animated series "Mr Benn," left an estate valued at approximately £1.58 million, according to recently released probate documents. Brooks passed away in August 2025 at the age of 86.

Brooks’s estate was initially valued at £1,583,531 but was reduced to £1,571,855 after accounting for debts and liabilities. His late wife, Sadie, whom he married in 1963 and who died in 2021, was the previous beneficiary. Following her death, the estate is set to be inherited by their two sons, Will and Tom.

Brooks enjoyed a prolific acting career spanning more than five decades. He is remembered for his leading role in the landmark 1966 BBC drama "Cathy Come Home," which drew attention to social issues in Britain. During the 1960s, he also appeared as Norman Phillips on "Coronation Street," and later gained recognition for his portrayal of Joe Macer in the long-running soap opera "EastEnders." Notably, Brooks was among the few actors to have appeared in both "Coronation Street" and "EastEnders," two of Britain’s most prominent television series.

Despite a relatively brief run of just 13 episodes, Brooks is perhaps best known for serving as the narrator of "Mr Benn," a children’s cartoon that continued to be broadcast through repeated airings for more than two decades. His contributions to both television drama and children’s programming have left a lasting impression on British audiences.