He was born in Cape Town, South Africa, but grew up in Australia.
He is perhaps best known as a comic actor. In the 1950s he had a recurring role as a dim-witted Australian lodger named "Bill Kerr" in the BBC radio comedy series Hancock's Half Hour. Kerr's character might be seen as a forerunner of Manuel from Fawlty Towers, or Father Dougal McGuire from Father Ted.
He has also performed serious roles, notably in the 1981 film Gallipoli.