Knockabout clown in the music hall tradition who found enormous success in the cinema
Engulfed by helpless, gurgling mirth, Norman Wisdom would subside to the ground as if suddenly rendered boneless: it needed someone only to look at him to make him fall down. Often, the person looking at him – and sternly, at that – was Jerry Desmonde, doyen of variety straight men, who represented the figure of authority in many of Wisdom's hugely successful film farces of the 1950s and 1960s.
Wisdom, who has died aged 95, was almost the last in a great tradition of knockabout, slapstick clowns, a performer who relied less on words than on an acrobatic physical dexterity to gain his laughs. He was usually derided or ignored by the serious critics, but in his day he was adored by the public, and because of its nature his craft travelled well – he was immensely popular in many other countries,...
Engulfed by helpless, gurgling mirth, Norman Wisdom would subside to the ground as if suddenly rendered boneless: it needed someone only to look at him to make him fall down. Often, the person looking at him – and sternly, at that – was Jerry Desmonde, doyen of variety straight men, who represented the figure of authority in many of Wisdom's hugely successful film farces of the 1950s and 1960s.
Wisdom, who has died aged 95, was almost the last in a great tradition of knockabout, slapstick clowns, a performer who relied less on words than on an acrobatic physical dexterity to gain his laughs. He was usually derided or ignored by the serious critics, but in his day he was adored by the public, and because of its nature his craft travelled well – he was immensely popular in many other countries,...
- 10/5/2010
- The Guardian - Film News
In today's comedy scene, Norman Wisdom's influence is felt most keenly in the performances of Lee Evans
Wisdom's longevity was incredible. He was past his peak when the Carry On films were fresh. He was Charlie Chaplin's favourite clown, for goodness' sake. He even made Barry Cryer seem young.
And now he's gone. The absence won't be immediately noticeable, at least not to the younger generation, who are less familiar with his successes in films such as Trouble in Store in 1953, or A Stitch in Time in 1963, than they are tickled by his apparent godlike status in Albania, of all places.
In today's comedy scene, Norman Wisdom's influence is felt most keenly in the performances of Lee Evans, who disclaims any resemblance, but whose hapless dork persona and goofy physicality strongly recall Wisdom's signature style. "People will always find the sight of someone falling or someone spilling something funny,...
Wisdom's longevity was incredible. He was past his peak when the Carry On films were fresh. He was Charlie Chaplin's favourite clown, for goodness' sake. He even made Barry Cryer seem young.
And now he's gone. The absence won't be immediately noticeable, at least not to the younger generation, who are less familiar with his successes in films such as Trouble in Store in 1953, or A Stitch in Time in 1963, than they are tickled by his apparent godlike status in Albania, of all places.
In today's comedy scene, Norman Wisdom's influence is felt most keenly in the performances of Lee Evans, who disclaims any resemblance, but whose hapless dork persona and goofy physicality strongly recall Wisdom's signature style. "People will always find the sight of someone falling or someone spilling something funny,...
- 10/5/2010
- by Brian Logan
- The Guardian - Film News
Norman Wisdom, one of the Britain's best-loved comedy stars, has died aged 95. We look back over his career in clips
Rex Harrison urged him to take up a career in showbiz; Charlie Chaplin named him his favourite clown. Yet Norman Wisdom remained that most modest of British superstars, unpretentious, full of humility, despite a dizzying rise to international fame. Or, rather, extreme popularity in the UK, and extraordinary adulation in other slightly unlikely other countries, most notably Albania, where he was, notoriously, the only Western actor whose films were allowed in the country during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.
Wisdom had a tough upbringing - sleeping in the same room as his whole family; a spell in a children's home, then employment by the Merchant Navy at a young age - which left little time for him to be a child. It seems striking then that his stage and screen...
Rex Harrison urged him to take up a career in showbiz; Charlie Chaplin named him his favourite clown. Yet Norman Wisdom remained that most modest of British superstars, unpretentious, full of humility, despite a dizzying rise to international fame. Or, rather, extreme popularity in the UK, and extraordinary adulation in other slightly unlikely other countries, most notably Albania, where he was, notoriously, the only Western actor whose films were allowed in the country during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.
Wisdom had a tough upbringing - sleeping in the same room as his whole family; a spell in a children's home, then employment by the Merchant Navy at a young age - which left little time for him to be a child. It seems striking then that his stage and screen...
- 10/5/2010
- by Catherine Shoard
- The Guardian - Film News
British stage and screen legend Norman Wisdom has sadly passed away, aged 95.
We’re sad to announce the passing of one of the UK’s comedy greats – Norman Wisdom, the star of slapstick comedies such as Trouble In Store and The Night They Raided Minsky’s, died yesterday at the age of 95.
Reaching the peak of his career in the 50s and 60s, Charlie Chaplin once dubbed Wisdom his “favourite clown” and the comedy actor enjoyed continued television and stage success until well into the new millennium, before announcing his retirement in 2007.
Leaving the armed forces after WWII ended, Wisdom quickly rose to stardom as a West End entertainer, forming a stage persona – tweed cap, ill-fitting suit, and a wide-eyed, childlike demeanor – that would remain popular for decades after.
Tributes have flooded in for Wisdom, one of the country’s hardest working and best-loved comedians of his era.
We’re sad to announce the passing of one of the UK’s comedy greats – Norman Wisdom, the star of slapstick comedies such as Trouble In Store and The Night They Raided Minsky’s, died yesterday at the age of 95.
Reaching the peak of his career in the 50s and 60s, Charlie Chaplin once dubbed Wisdom his “favourite clown” and the comedy actor enjoyed continued television and stage success until well into the new millennium, before announcing his retirement in 2007.
Leaving the armed forces after WWII ended, Wisdom quickly rose to stardom as a West End entertainer, forming a stage persona – tweed cap, ill-fitting suit, and a wide-eyed, childlike demeanor – that would remain popular for decades after.
Tributes have flooded in for Wisdom, one of the country’s hardest working and best-loved comedians of his era.
- 10/5/2010
- Den of Geek
Veteran Actor Norman Wisdom Dies
British actor Sir Norman Wisdom has died after an ongoing battle with ill health. He was 95.
The veteran entertainer passed away at a nursing home on the Isle of Man on Monday.
A statement from the care facility reads, "Over the past six months Sir Norman has sustained a series of strokes causing a general decline in both his mental and physical health.
"He had maintained a degree of independence up until a few days ago... (when) his condition rapidly declined. He was in no pain or distress and peacefully passed away at 18.40 this evening."
Born in 1915, Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer at the age of 31 on the West End stage in London.
He moved into comedy and earned himself a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Film in 1954 for his turn in Trouble in Store.
He had an ongoing partnership with the Rank Organisation in the 1950s and 1960s and became famous for his clumsy, childlike character Norman Pitkin in films like On The Beat and The Square Peg.
Moving to the U.S. in 1966, he received a Tony Award nomination for his stint on Broadway in musical comedy Walking Happy. He returned to Britain in the late 1960s after his wife, Freda Simpson, left him.
He took time out of the spotlight but won critical acclaim in 1981 for his role as a dying cancer patient in the television play Going Gently, and he became a household name once again in Britain in the mid-1990s when he briefly joined the cast of beloved TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine.
He received a knighthood in 2000.
Wisdom suffered a health scare in 2006 when he suffered an irregular heart rhythm and was fitted with a pacemaker, but he continued to work as an actor, and won critical acclaim for his role in 2007 short film Expresso.
He retired to Abbotswood nursing home in the Isle of Man later that year and allowed himself to be filmed for Wonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 and 3/4 - a documentary highlighting the dilemma of coping with an ageing parent.
As well as his many honours, Wisdom was the official national comedy hero of Albania.
He is survived by his son Nicholas and daughter Jacqueline from his marriage to Simpson.
The veteran entertainer passed away at a nursing home on the Isle of Man on Monday.
A statement from the care facility reads, "Over the past six months Sir Norman has sustained a series of strokes causing a general decline in both his mental and physical health.
"He had maintained a degree of independence up until a few days ago... (when) his condition rapidly declined. He was in no pain or distress and peacefully passed away at 18.40 this evening."
Born in 1915, Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer at the age of 31 on the West End stage in London.
He moved into comedy and earned himself a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Film in 1954 for his turn in Trouble in Store.
He had an ongoing partnership with the Rank Organisation in the 1950s and 1960s and became famous for his clumsy, childlike character Norman Pitkin in films like On The Beat and The Square Peg.
Moving to the U.S. in 1966, he received a Tony Award nomination for his stint on Broadway in musical comedy Walking Happy. He returned to Britain in the late 1960s after his wife, Freda Simpson, left him.
He took time out of the spotlight but won critical acclaim in 1981 for his role as a dying cancer patient in the television play Going Gently, and he became a household name once again in Britain in the mid-1990s when he briefly joined the cast of beloved TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine.
He received a knighthood in 2000.
Wisdom suffered a health scare in 2006 when he suffered an irregular heart rhythm and was fitted with a pacemaker, but he continued to work as an actor, and won critical acclaim for his role in 2007 short film Expresso.
He retired to Abbotswood nursing home in the Isle of Man later that year and allowed himself to be filmed for Wonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 and 3/4 - a documentary highlighting the dilemma of coping with an ageing parent.
As well as his many honours, Wisdom was the official national comedy hero of Albania.
He is survived by his son Nicholas and daughter Jacqueline from his marriage to Simpson.
- 10/5/2010
- WENN
Veteran Actor Norman Wisdom Dies
British actor Sir Norman Wisdom has died after an ongoing battle with ill health. He was 95. The veteran entertainer passed away at a nursing home on the Isle of Man on Monday. A statement from the care facility reads, "Over the past six months Sir Norman has sustained a series of strokes causing a general decline in both his mental and physical health.
"He had maintained a degree of independence up until a few days ago... (when) his condition rapidly declined. He was in no pain or distress and peacefully passed away at 18.40 this evening."
Born in 1915, Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer at the age of 31 on the West End stage in London.
He moved into comedy and earned himself a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Film in 1954 for his turn in Trouble in Store.
He had an ongoing partnership with the Rank Organisation in the 1950s and 1960s and became famous for his clumsy, childlike character Norman Pitkin in films like On The Beat and The Square Peg.
Moving to the U.S. in 1966, he received a Tony Award nomination for his stint on Broadway in musical comedy Walking Happy. He returned to Britain in the late 1960s after his wife, Freda Simpson, left him.
He took time out of the spotlight but won critical acclaim in 1981 for his role as a dying cancer patient in the television play Going Gently, and he became a household name once again in Britain in the mid-1990s when he briefly joined the cast of beloved TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine.
He received a knighthood in 2000.
Wisdom suffered a health scare in 2006 when he suffered an irregular heart rhythm and was fitted with a pacemaker, but he continued to work as an actor, and won critical acclaim for his role in 2007 short film Expresso.
He retired to Abbotswood nursing home in the Isle of Man later that year and allowed himself to be filmed for Wonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 and 3/4 - a documentary highlighting the dilemma of coping with an ageing parent.
As well as his many honours, Wisdom was the official national comedy hero of Albania.
He is survived by his son Nicholas and daughter Jacqueline from his marriage to Simpson.
"He had maintained a degree of independence up until a few days ago... (when) his condition rapidly declined. He was in no pain or distress and peacefully passed away at 18.40 this evening."
Born in 1915, Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer at the age of 31 on the West End stage in London.
He moved into comedy and earned himself a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Film in 1954 for his turn in Trouble in Store.
He had an ongoing partnership with the Rank Organisation in the 1950s and 1960s and became famous for his clumsy, childlike character Norman Pitkin in films like On The Beat and The Square Peg.
Moving to the U.S. in 1966, he received a Tony Award nomination for his stint on Broadway in musical comedy Walking Happy. He returned to Britain in the late 1960s after his wife, Freda Simpson, left him.
He took time out of the spotlight but won critical acclaim in 1981 for his role as a dying cancer patient in the television play Going Gently, and he became a household name once again in Britain in the mid-1990s when he briefly joined the cast of beloved TV comedy Last of the Summer Wine.
He received a knighthood in 2000.
Wisdom suffered a health scare in 2006 when he suffered an irregular heart rhythm and was fitted with a pacemaker, but he continued to work as an actor, and won critical acclaim for his role in 2007 short film Expresso.
He retired to Abbotswood nursing home in the Isle of Man later that year and allowed himself to be filmed for Wonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 and 3/4 - a documentary highlighting the dilemma of coping with an ageing parent.
As well as his many honours, Wisdom was the official national comedy hero of Albania.
He is survived by his son Nicholas and daughter Jacqueline from his marriage to Simpson.
- 10/4/2010
- WENN
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