- Born
- Died
- Birth nameThomas Ridley Sharpe
- Tom Sharpe was born on March 30, 1928 in Holloway, Islington, London, England, UK. He was a writer and actor, known for Sexes faibles! (1992), Wilt (1989) and Blott on the Landscape (1985). He was married to Nancy Anne Looper. He died on June 6, 2013 in Llafranc, Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
- SpousesNancy Anne Looper(1969 - June 6, 2013) (his death, 3 children)? (divorced)
- His plot trademarks involve: manipulations that eventually go awry, outrageous and vulgar scenarios arising (often of a sexual or foul-mouthed nature), and a satirical comment from one/some of his characters on the follies and foibles of their world.
- He used a collection of character archetypes in his stories: unworldly academics, eccentric and often nasty aristocrats, prejudiced/blinkered and often incompetent police/army officers, and buxom women who are either simple-minded or smart.
- He served in the Royal Marines during the 1940s.
- He moved to South Africa in 1951, and became a social worker, teacher, and photographer. He wrote anti-apartheid plays for which he was deported to Britain in 1961.
- He had three daughters with his wife, Nancy.
- He had a heart attack live on Spanish television in the 1980s, and in later years would offer to show visitors the tape recorded.
- One of Britain's most acclaimed satirist writers.
- [on staying in Spain] I don't want to learn the language. I don't want to know what the price of meat is.
- [on his time in South Africa] It was easy to write about because it was a mad society. I was living out there and I knew. It was just mind-blowing to any fair-minded person.
- Wodehouse did 400 pages of notes on ideas. I just launch myself in - boing. And if it works, it works, if it doesn't, it doesn't. I've got no idea how my books are going to end.
- [in 2010] I love England, but I don't like the English. There is no such thing as the English gentleman any more. Money rules everything. It is so depressing, I can't bear it. I can't bear the hooliganism.
- [about his first wife] She was a terrible snob. This girl had inherited seven houses - which was as good a reason for getting rid of her as any.
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