Charles Penrose (born Charles Penrose Dunbar Cawse on 11 November 1873 – 17 November 1952) was an English music hall and theatre performer, and later radio comedian, who is best known for his unusual comic song "The Laughing Policeman". Charles Penrose was born Charles Penrose Dunbar Cawse in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, the son of a master watchmaker and jeweller.