- published: 13 Apr 2014
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Richard Goolden (London 23 February 1895 – 18 June 1981 London) was a British actor, most famous for his portrayal of Mole from Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows. He also achieved fame as Mr Penny on BBC radio, and took the role of Zaphod Beeblebrox IV in the BBC Radio 4 series The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
After studying French literature at New College, Oxford, he made his first acting appearances in the Oxford Playhouse. He then appeared in London at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
On radio he played the part of Mr Chips, as adapted from the novel by James Hilton. He then achieved popularity as the comic character Mr Penny, created by Maurice Moiseiwitsch.
He first acted the role of Mole in 1930 in the dramatisation by A.A. Milne of Wind in the Willows, Toad of Toad Hall. He continued to appear regularly in this production, which became a traditional Christmas fixture in London, for almost 50 years, only missing a few years during World War II when he was entertaining troops.