Bill Flynn was born on 13 December 1948 in Cape Town.
He was a stage and screen actor, known for his roles in films like Heel Against the Head and Running Riot. He was a great all-rounder, hilarious in comedy characters while presenting an impressive dramatic quality in more serious roles. He won thirteen best-actor awards, including the Dublin Critics and Golden Entertainer Awards.
Flynn’s highly successful career included leading roles in more than 140 stage plays, musicals, 42 films, dozens of TV shows and thousands of radio and TV commercials. On television, he appeared on the breakfast-TV production The Toasty Show and in the drama series Jozi Streets, among many others.
His film writing also won him a Best Screenplay award for his collaboration with Slabolepszy on Saturday Night at the Palace.
He was the lead singer of the band Vinnie and the Viscounts, but began performing with a new band, the Rock Rebels, for seven years before his death.
Flynn died in his sleep in Johannesburg on 11 July 2007, presumably of a heart attack. That same day he was scheduled to act in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Johannesburg's Civic Theatre. Ryan Flynn - Bill's son by his first wife, Anne Power – was starring with his father in the play.
Flynn was buried at the Plumstead Methodist Church. The service was conducted by the Rev Kevin Needham, who said Flynn had taught Sunday school in that church. The packed church included actors and other show business celebrities, as well as a large media contingent.
There was a wake in the church hall after the service - and another in the foyer of the Baxter Studio.
At the time of his death he was married to actress Jana Celliers, his second wife.