Lenny McLean was born in London in 1949. He was arrested for petty crimes while in his teens and served 18 months in prison. After his release he worked as a professional boxer and bouncer. McLean was again arrested in 1992 after a man he ejected from a club died of his injuries. After serving another 18 months he went into acting. He appeared as bootlegger Eddie Davies in the British television series "The Knock", and was featured in several films. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his autobiography, "The Guv'nor", was published and died four months later.