William Arnold Ridley, OBE (7 January 1896 – 12 March 1984) was an English playwright and actor, first notable as the author of the play The Ghost Train and later in life for portraying the elderly Private Charles Godfrey in the British sitcom Dad's Army (1968–77).

Biographie

He was married three times. Firstly from January 1926 to 1939, then a short marriage beginning in 1939 before his final marriage to actress Althea Parker (1911–2001) on 3 October 1945; they had one son Nicolas (b 1947). Arnold Ridley died in hospital in Northwood in 1984 at the age of 88 after falling at his residence in Denville Hall, a home for retired actors. He was cremated at the Golders Green Crematorium and his urn buried at his parents' grave in Bath Abbey Cemetery. His collection of theatrical memorabilia was left to the University of Bristol and has been made available online.

He was a Freemason, and belonged to the Savage Club Lodge in London.

He is the great-uncle of actress Daisy Ridley, who is known for her lead role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.