Norman Wisdom - Revision history

Kurt at 03:33, 25 August 2024

2024-08-25T03:33:39Z

Kurt at 14:09, 3 February 2023

2023-02-03T14:09:03Z

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	~~{{short description\|English actor, comedian and singer (1915–2010)}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=October 2015}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2022}}~~
	{{Infobox comedian		{{Infobox comedian
	\| honorific_prefix = [[w:Sir\|Sir]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[w:Sir\|Sir]]
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	*{{IMDb name\|0936295}}		*{{IMDb name\|0936295}}
	*{{IBDB name}}		*{{IBDB name}}
			*{{Screenonline name\|450916\|Norman Wisdom}}
	*[http://www.britishpathe.com/workspace.php?id=8437 Pathe News clips of Wisdom from the 1950s]		*[http://www.britishpathe.com/workspace.php?id=8437 Pathe News clips of Wisdom from the 1950s]
	*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11473214 Obituary: Sir Norman Wisdom] BBC Retrieved 4 October 2010		*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11473214 Obituary: Sir Norman Wisdom] BBC Retrieved 4 October 2010
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120421170248/http://www.wisdomofnorman.com/ Wisdom of Norman]		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120421170248/http://www.wisdomofnorman.com/ Wisdom of Norman]
	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110911063737/http://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/2010/10/tribute-to-sir-norman-wisdom-obe/ Norman Wisdom Tribute at British Classic Comedy]		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110911063737/http://www.britishclassiccomedy.co.uk/2010/10/tribute-to-sir-norman-wisdom-obe/ Norman Wisdom Tribute at British Classic Comedy]
	* [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/450916/ ''Norman Wisdom'' at BFI Screenonline]
	* [http://www.wisdomthemovie.co.uk/''Norman Wisdom'' a new feature film screenplay about his life and adventures]		* [http://www.wisdomthemovie.co.uk/''Norman Wisdom'' a new feature film screenplay about his life and adventures]

Kurt: /* Later career */

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Later career

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	== Later career ==		== Later career ==
	[[File:Norman Wisdom 2 (1965).jpg\|thumb\|~~left~~\|Norman Wisdom demonstrating a typical expression (1965)]]		[[File:Norman Wisdom 2 (1965).jpg\|thumb\|right\|Norman Wisdom demonstrating a typical expression (1965)]]
	In 1966, Wisdom spent a short period in the United States to star in the Broadway production of the [[Jimmy Van Heusen]] and [[Sammy Cahn]] [[musical comedy]] ''Walking Happy'' based on the play ''[[Hobson's Choice (play)\|Hobson's Choice]]'' by Harold Brighouse. His performance as ''Will Mosop'' was nominated for a [[21st Tony Awards\|Tony Award]].		In 1966, Wisdom spent a short period in the United States to star in the Broadway production of the [[Jimmy Van Heusen]] and [[Sammy Cahn]] [[musical comedy]] ''Walking Happy'' based on the play ''[[Hobson's Choice (play)\|Hobson's Choice]]'' by Harold Brighouse. His performance as ''Will Mosop'' was nominated for a [[21st Tony Awards\|Tony Award]].

Kurt: /* Comic entertainer */

2022-12-14T21:42:49Z

Comic entertainer

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	== Comic entertainer ==		== Comic entertainer ==
	After being demobilised Wisdom worked as a [[Taxicabs of the United Kingdom\|private hire car driver]]. Having improved his diction in the army, he also took a job as a night [[switchboard operator\|telephone operator]].<ref name="MyTurn" />		After being demobilised Wisdom worked as a [[w:Taxicabs of the United Kingdom\|private hire car driver]]. Having improved his diction in the army, he also took a job as a night [[w:switchboard operator\|telephone operator]].<ref name="MyTurn" />

	Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer at the age of 31 still calling himself "The Successful Failure". In the anonymity of small suburban music halls he built an act out of his shyness, his ability to fall and his multi-instrumental music skills and singing talent where the theatre band constantly changed key and he could never keep up until pulling out his virtuosity and beating them at their own game. One outstanding review in August 1946 read, "An unusual and most versatile comedian, Norman Wisdom, contributes two remarkable turns. He is an accomplished pianist, a pleasing singer, a talented instrumentalist, a clever mimer, and withal, a true humorist.".<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Hastings and St Leonards Observer \|journal=Hastings and St Leonards Observer \|date=24 August 1946 \|page=3}}</ref> His rise to the top was relatively fast. A very successful run at the London Casino in April 1948,<ref>{{cite journal \|title=The Stage \|journal=The Stage \|date=22 April 1948 \|page=5}}</ref> led to a summer season in "Out of the Blue" in Scarborough. [[Magic (illusion)\|Magician]] [[David Nixon (magician)\|David Nixon]] was also part of the cast and the two worked together so well that they went on to continue the act on other variety stages starting at the London Casino in September 1948.<ref>{{cite journal \|title=The Stage \|journal=The Stage \|date=16 September 1948 \|page=2}}</ref> Christmas 1948 saw him in the pantomime "Robinson Crusoe" at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre.<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Birmingham Daily Gazette \|journal=Birmingham Daily Gazette \|date=17 January 1949 \|page=2}}</ref> Wisdom had already adopted the costume that would remain his trademark: tweed [[flat cap]] askew, with peak turned up; a suit at least two sizes too tight; a crumpled collar and a mangled tie. The character that went with this costume — known as the Gump — was to dominate Wisdom's film career. A [[West End theatre]] star within two years, he honed his act into a star turn mainly between theatres in London and [[Brighton]]:<ref name=GuardWordsWis />		Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer at the age of 31 still calling himself "The Successful Failure". In the anonymity of small suburban music halls he built an act out of his shyness, his ability to fall and his multi-instrumental music skills and singing talent where the theatre band constantly changed key and he could never keep up until pulling out his virtuosity and beating them at their own game. One outstanding review in August 1946 read, "An unusual and most versatile comedian, Norman Wisdom, contributes two remarkable turns. He is an accomplished pianist, a pleasing singer, a talented instrumentalist, a clever mimer, and withal, a true humorist.".<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Hastings and St Leonards Observer \|journal=Hastings and St Leonards Observer \|date=24 August 1946 \|page=3}}</ref> His rise to the top was relatively fast. A very successful run at the London Casino in April 1948,<ref>{{cite journal \|title=The Stage \|journal=The Stage \|date=22 April 1948 \|page=5}}</ref> led to a summer season in "Out of the Blue" in Scarborough. [[w:Magic (illusion)\|Magician]] [[w:David Nixon (magician)\|David Nixon]] was also part of the cast and the two worked together so well that they went on to continue the act on other variety stages starting at the London Casino in September 1948.<ref>{{cite journal \|title=The Stage \|journal=The Stage \|date=16 September 1948 \|page=2}}</ref> Christmas 1948 saw him in the pantomime "Robinson Crusoe" at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre.<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Birmingham Daily Gazette \|journal=Birmingham Daily Gazette \|date=17 January 1949 \|page=2}}</ref> Wisdom had already adopted the costume that would remain his trademark: tweed [[w:flat cap\|flat cap]] askew, with peak turned up; a suit at least two sizes too tight; a crumpled collar and a mangled tie. The character that went with this costume — known as the Gump — was to dominate Wisdom's film career. A [[w:West End theatre\|West End theatre]] star within two years, he honed his act into a star turn mainly between theatres in London and [[w:Brighton\|Brighton]]:<ref name=GuardWordsWis />
	{{quote\|I spent virtually all of those years on the road. You could keep incredibly busy just performing in pantomimes and revues. There was a whole generation of performers who learned everything on the stage.}}		{{quote\|I spent virtually all of those years on the road. You could keep incredibly busy just performing in pantomimes and revues. There was a whole generation of performers who learned everything on the stage.}}

	Wisdom made his TV debut in 1948 and was soon commanding enormous audiences and had a small film role in ''[[A Date with a Dream]]'' released in the same year.		Wisdom made his TV debut in 1948 and was soon commanding enormous audiences and had a small film role in ''[[w:A Date with a Dream\|A Date with a Dream]]'' released in the same year.

	== Starring film roles for the Rank Organisation ==		== Starring film roles for the Rank Organisation ==

Kurt: /* Military service */

2022-12-14T21:41:05Z

Military service

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	Whilst performing a [[w:shadow boxing\|shadow boxing]] routine in an army gym, Wisdom discovered he had a talent for entertainment,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3751896.stm\|title=Sir Norman takes final stage bow\|date=18 October 2004\|work=BBC News \|access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref> and began to develop his skills as a musician and [[w:performance art\|stage entertainer]].<ref name="BBCFool">{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/779888.stm\|title=Sir Norman: Nobody's fool\|date=6 June 2000\|work=BBC News \|access-date=7 October 2010}}</ref> In 1940 aged 25, at a [[w:NAAFI\|NAAFI]] entertainment night, during a dance routine, Wisdom stepped down from his position in the [[w:orchestra pit\|orchestra pit]], and started shadow boxing. Hearing his colleagues and officers giggling, he broke into a duck waddle, followed by a series of facial expressions. He later described the reaction as: "They were in hysterics. All the officers were falling about laughing."<ref name=GuardWordsWis>{{cite news \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/25/features.magazine1\|title=Words of Wisdom\|first=Burhan \|last=Wazie\|work=[[w:The Observer\|The Observer]] \|date=25 February 2001\|access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref>		Whilst performing a [[w:shadow boxing\|shadow boxing]] routine in an army gym, Wisdom discovered he had a talent for entertainment,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3751896.stm\|title=Sir Norman takes final stage bow\|date=18 October 2004\|work=BBC News \|access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref> and began to develop his skills as a musician and [[w:performance art\|stage entertainer]].<ref name="BBCFool">{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/779888.stm\|title=Sir Norman: Nobody's fool\|date=6 June 2000\|work=BBC News \|access-date=7 October 2010}}</ref> In 1940 aged 25, at a [[w:NAAFI\|NAAFI]] entertainment night, during a dance routine, Wisdom stepped down from his position in the [[w:orchestra pit\|orchestra pit]], and started shadow boxing. Hearing his colleagues and officers giggling, he broke into a duck waddle, followed by a series of facial expressions. He later described the reaction as: "They were in hysterics. All the officers were falling about laughing."<ref name=GuardWordsWis>{{cite news \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/25/features.magazine1\|title=Words of Wisdom\|first=Burhan \|last=Wazie\|work=[[w:The Observer\|The Observer]] \|date=25 February 2001\|access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref>

	Wisdom later said this was where he first patented his persona as "The Successful Failure".<ref name=GuardWordsWis /> Over the next few years, until he was demobilised in 1945, his routine included his characteristic singing and the trip-up-and-stumble. After Wisdom appeared at a charity concert at [[w:Cheltenham Town Hall\|Cheltenham Town Hall]] on 31 August 1944,<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Gloucester Citizen \|journal=Gloucester Citizen \|date=30 August 1944 \|page=7}}</ref> actor [[Rex Harrison]] came backstage and urged him to become a professional entertainer.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3086186.stm\|title=Plaque marks comic's time in forces\|date=6 September 2003\|work=BBC News \|access-date=11 October 2010}}</ref>		Wisdom later said this was where he first patented his persona as "The Successful Failure".<ref name=GuardWordsWis /> Over the next few years, until he was demobilised in 1945, his routine included his characteristic singing and the trip-up-and-stumble. After Wisdom appeared at a charity concert at [[w:Cheltenham Town Hall\|Cheltenham Town Hall]] on 31 August 1944,<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Gloucester Citizen \|journal=Gloucester Citizen \|date=30 August 1944 \|page=7}}</ref> actor [[w:Rex Harrison\|Rex Harrison]] came backstage and urged him to become a professional entertainer.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3086186.stm\|title=Plaque marks comic's time in forces\|date=6 September 2003\|work=BBC News \|access-date=11 October 2010}}</ref>

	== Comic entertainer ==		== Comic entertainer ==

Kurt: /* Military service */

2022-12-14T21:40:40Z

Military service

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	== Military service ==		== Military service ==
	Wisdom first enlisted into the [[King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)]], but his mother had him discharged as he was under age. He later re-enlisted as a [[drummer#In the military\|drummer boy]]~~{{citation needed\|date=December 2017}}~~ in the [[10th Royal Hussars]]. In 1930, he was posted to [[Lucknow]], in the [[United Provinces of British India]],<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> as a [[Military band\|bandsman]].		Wisdom first enlisted into the [[w:King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster)\|King's Own Royal Regiment]], but his mother had him discharged as he was under age. He later re-enlisted as a [[w:drummer#In the military\|drummer boy]] in the [[w:10th Royal Hussars\|10th Royal Hussars]]. In 1930, he was posted to [[w:Lucknow\|Lucknow]], in the [[w:United Provinces of British India\|United Provinces of British India]],<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> as a [[w:Military band\|bandsman]].

	He rode horses, became the [[flyweight]] boxing champion of the [[British Army]] in India<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> and taught himself to play the piano, trumpet, saxophone, flute, drums, bugle and clarinet.<ref name="MyTurn" />		He rode horses, became the [[w:flyweight\|flyweight]] boxing champion of the [[w:British Army]] in India<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> and taught himself to play the piano, trumpet, saxophone, flute, drums, bugle and clarinet.<ref name="MyTurn" />

	At the outbreak of the Second World War, Wisdom was sent to work in a communications centre in a command bunker in London, where he connected telephone calls from war leaders to the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom\|prime minister]]. He met [[Winston Churchill]] on several occasions when asked for updates on incoming calls.<ref name="MyTurn" /> Wisdom then joined the [[Royal Corps of Signals]], and performed a similar military function at the unit headquarters in [[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]].		At the outbreak of the Second World War, Wisdom was sent to work in a communications centre in a command bunker in London, where he connected telephone calls from war leaders to the [[w:Prime Minister of the United Kingdom\|prime minister]]. He met [[w:Winston Churchill\|Winston Churchill]] on several occasions when asked for updates on incoming calls.<ref name="MyTurn" /> Wisdom then joined the [[w:Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Corps of Signals]], and performed a similar military function at the unit headquarters in [[w:Cheltenham\|Cheltenham]], [[w:Gloucestershire\|Gloucestershire]].

	Whilst performing a [[shadow boxing]] routine in an army gym, Wisdom discovered he had a talent for entertainment,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3751896.stm\|title=Sir Norman takes final stage bow\|date=18 October 2004\|work=BBC News \|access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref> and began to develop his skills as a musician and [[performance art\|stage entertainer]].<ref name="BBCFool">{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/779888.stm\|title=Sir Norman: Nobody's fool\|date=6 June 2000\|work=BBC News \|access-date=7 October 2010}}</ref> In 1940 aged 25, at a [[NAAFI]] entertainment night, during a dance routine, Wisdom stepped down from his position in the [[orchestra pit]], and started shadow boxing. Hearing his colleagues and officers giggling, he broke into a duck waddle, followed by a series of facial expressions. He later described the reaction as: "They were in hysterics. All the officers were falling about laughing."<ref name=GuardWordsWis>{{cite news \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/25/features.magazine1\|title=Words of Wisdom\|first=Burhan \|last=Wazie\|work=[[The Observer]] \|date=25 February 2001\|access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref>		Whilst performing a [[w:shadow boxing\|shadow boxing]] routine in an army gym, Wisdom discovered he had a talent for entertainment,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3751896.stm\|title=Sir Norman takes final stage bow\|date=18 October 2004\|work=BBC News \|access-date=10 October 2010}}</ref> and began to develop his skills as a musician and [[w:performance art\|stage entertainer]].<ref name="BBCFool">{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/779888.stm\|title=Sir Norman: Nobody's fool\|date=6 June 2000\|work=BBC News \|access-date=7 October 2010}}</ref> In 1940 aged 25, at a [[w:NAAFI\|NAAFI]] entertainment night, during a dance routine, Wisdom stepped down from his position in the [[w:orchestra pit\|orchestra pit]], and started shadow boxing. Hearing his colleagues and officers giggling, he broke into a duck waddle, followed by a series of facial expressions. He later described the reaction as: "They were in hysterics. All the officers were falling about laughing."<ref name=GuardWordsWis>{{cite news \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/feb/25/features.magazine1\|title=Words of Wisdom\|first=Burhan \|last=Wazie\|work=[[w:The Observer\|The Observer]] \|date=25 February 2001\|access-date=27 April 2013}}</ref>

	Wisdom later said this was where he first patented his persona as "The Successful Failure".<ref name=GuardWordsWis /> Over the next few years, until he was demobilised in 1945, his routine included his characteristic singing and the trip-up-and-stumble. After Wisdom appeared at a charity concert at [[Cheltenham Town Hall]] on 31 August 1944,<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Gloucester Citizen \|journal=Gloucester Citizen \|date=30 August 1944 \|page=7}}</ref> actor [[Rex Harrison]] came backstage and urged him to become a professional entertainer.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3086186.stm\|title=Plaque marks comic's time in forces\|date=6 September 2003\|work=BBC News \|access-date=11 October 2010}}</ref>		Wisdom later said this was where he first patented his persona as "The Successful Failure".<ref name=GuardWordsWis /> Over the next few years, until he was demobilised in 1945, his routine included his characteristic singing and the trip-up-and-stumble. After Wisdom appeared at a charity concert at [[w:Cheltenham Town Hall\|Cheltenham Town Hall]] on 31 August 1944,<ref>{{cite journal \|title=Gloucester Citizen \|journal=Gloucester Citizen \|date=30 August 1944 \|page=7}}</ref> actor [[Rex Harrison]] came backstage and urged him to become a professional entertainer.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/3086186.stm\|title=Plaque marks comic's time in forces\|date=6 September 2003\|work=BBC News \|access-date=11 October 2010}}</ref>

	== Comic entertainer ==		== Comic entertainer ==

Kurt: /* External links */

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External links

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	== External links ==		== External links ==
	~~{{commons category}}~~
	*{{IMDb name\|0936295}}		*{{IMDb name\|0936295}}
	*{{IBDB name}}		*{{IBDB name}}
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	* [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/450916/ ''Norman Wisdom'' at BFI Screenonline]		* [http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/450916/ ''Norman Wisdom'' at BFI Screenonline]
	* [http://www.wisdomthemovie.co.uk/''Norman Wisdom'' a new feature film screenplay about his life and adventures]		* [http://www.wisdomthemovie.co.uk/''Norman Wisdom'' a new feature film screenplay about his life and adventures]

	~~{{Bafta Award for Most Promising Newcomer}}~~

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Wisdom, Norman}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Wisdom, Norman}}

Kurt at 19:37, 14 September 2022

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	Wisdom gained celebrity status in lands as far apart as South America, [[w:Iran\|Iran]] and many [[w:Eastern Bloc\|Eastern Bloc]] countries, particularly in [[w:Albania\|Albania]] where his films were the only ones by Western actors permitted by dictator [[w:Enver Hoxha]] to be shown.<ref name="TelegraphObit">{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/8042823/Sir-Norman-Wisdom.html\|title=Sir Norman Wisdom\|date=5 October 2010\|access-date=6 October 2010\|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] \|location=London, UK}}</ref> [[w:Charlie Chaplin\|Charlie Chaplin]] once referred to Wisdom as his "favourite clown".<ref name="BBCFool" />		Wisdom gained celebrity status in lands as far apart as South America, [[w:Iran\|Iran]] and many [[w:Eastern Bloc\|Eastern Bloc]] countries, particularly in [[w:Albania\|Albania]] where his films were the only ones by Western actors permitted by dictator [[w:Enver Hoxha]] to be shown.<ref name="TelegraphObit">{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/8042823/Sir-Norman-Wisdom.html\|title=Sir Norman Wisdom\|date=5 October 2010\|access-date=6 October 2010\|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] \|location=London, UK}}</ref> [[w:Charlie Chaplin\|Charlie Chaplin]] once referred to Wisdom as his "favourite clown".<ref name="BBCFool" />

	Wisdom later forged a career on [[w:Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] in New York City and as a television actor, winning critical acclaim for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the television play ''Going Gently'' in 1981. He toured Australia and South Africa.<ref name="GuardianObit" /> After the 1986 [[w:Chernobyl disaster\|Chernobyl disaster]], a hospice was named in his honour.<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> In 1995, he was given the [[Freedom of the City]] of London and of [[w:Tirana\|Tirana]].<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> The same year, he was appointed [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]] and was knighted five years later.<ref name="TelegraphObit" />		Wisdom later forged a career on [[w:Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] in New York City and as a television actor, winning critical acclaim for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the television play ''Going Gently'' in 1981. He toured Australia and South Africa.<ref name="GuardianObit" /> After the 1986 [[w:Chernobyl disaster\|Chernobyl disaster]], a hospice was named in his honour.<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> In 1995, he was given the [[w:Freedom of the City\|Freedom of the City]] of London and of [[w:Tirana\|Tirana]].<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> The same year, he was appointed [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]] and was knighted five years later.<ref name="TelegraphObit" />

	== Early life ==		== Early life ==

Kurt at 19:36, 14 September 2022

2022-09-14T19:36:23Z

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	}}		}}
	}}		}}
	'''Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom''',<ref name=freebmd /> {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}}<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=54066 \|date=17 June 1995 \|page=14 \|supp=y}}</ref> (4 February 1915 – 4 October 2010) was an English actor, comedian, musician and singer best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character that was often called Norman Pitkin.<ref name="GuardianObit">{{cite news \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/05/sir-norman-wisdom-obituary\|title=Sir Norman Wisdom obituary\|date=5 October 2010\|access-date=6 October 2010 \|newspaper=[[The Guardian]] \| location=London, UK \| first=Stephen \| last=Dixon}}</ref> He was awarded the 1953 [[BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles]] following the release of ''[[Trouble in Store]]'', his first film in a lead role.		'''Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom''',<ref name=freebmd /> {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100%\|OBE}}<ref>{{London Gazette \|issue=54066 \|date=17 June 1995 \|page=14 \|supp=y}}</ref> (4 February 1915 – 4 October 2010) was an English actor, comedian, musician and singer best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character that was often called Norman Pitkin.<ref name="GuardianObit">{{cite news \|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/05/sir-norman-wisdom-obituary\|title=Sir Norman Wisdom obituary\|date=5 October 2010\|access-date=6 October 2010 \|newspaper=[[w:The Guardian\|The Guardian]] \| location=London, UK \| first=Stephen \| last=Dixon}}</ref> He was awarded the 1953 [[w:BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles\|BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles]] following the release of ''[[Trouble in Store]]'', his first film in a lead role.

	Wisdom gained celebrity status in lands as far apart as South America, [[Iran]] and many [[Eastern Bloc]] countries, particularly in [[Albania]] where his films were the only ones by Western actors permitted by dictator [[Enver Hoxha]] to be shown.<ref name="TelegraphObit">{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/8042823/Sir-Norman-Wisdom.html\|title=Sir Norman Wisdom\|date=5 October 2010\|access-date=6 October 2010\|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] \|location=London, UK}}</ref> [[Charlie Chaplin]] once referred to Wisdom as his "favourite clown".<ref name="BBCFool" />		Wisdom gained celebrity status in lands as far apart as South America, [[w:Iran\|Iran]] and many [[w:Eastern Bloc\|Eastern Bloc]] countries, particularly in [[w:Albania\|Albania]] where his films were the only ones by Western actors permitted by dictator [[w:Enver Hoxha]] to be shown.<ref name="TelegraphObit">{{cite news \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/8042823/Sir-Norman-Wisdom.html\|title=Sir Norman Wisdom\|date=5 October 2010\|access-date=6 October 2010\|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] \|location=London, UK}}</ref> [[w:Charlie Chaplin\|Charlie Chaplin]] once referred to Wisdom as his "favourite clown".<ref name="BBCFool" />

	Wisdom later forged a career on [[Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] in New York City and as a television actor, winning critical acclaim for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the television play ''Going Gently'' in 1981. He toured Australia and South Africa.<ref name="GuardianObit" /> After the 1986 [[Chernobyl disaster]], a hospice was named in his honour.<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> In 1995, he was given the [[Freedom of the City]] of London and of [[Tirana]].<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> The same year, he was appointed [[Order of the British Empire\|OBE]] and was knighted five years later.<ref name="TelegraphObit" />		Wisdom later forged a career on [[w:Broadway theatre\|Broadway]] in New York City and as a television actor, winning critical acclaim for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the television play ''Going Gently'' in 1981. He toured Australia and South Africa.<ref name="GuardianObit" /> After the 1986 [[w:Chernobyl disaster\|Chernobyl disaster]], a hospice was named in his honour.<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> In 1995, he was given the [[Freedom of the City]] of London and of [[w:Tirana\|Tirana]].<ref name="TelegraphObit" /> The same year, he was appointed [[w:Order of the British Empire\|OBE]] and was knighted five years later.<ref name="TelegraphObit" />

	== Early life ==		== Early life ==
	Norman Joseph Wisdom was born in the [[Marylebone]] district of London.<ref name=":0">{{cite ODNB\|title=Wisdom, Sir Norman Joseph (1915–2010), comedian and actor\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-103354\|access-date=16 February 2022\|year=2014 \|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/103354\|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8 \|last1=Double \|first1=Oliver }}</ref> His parents were Frederick, a [[chauffeur]], and Maud Wisdom (née Targett), a [[dressmaker]] who often worked for West End theatres, and had made a dress for [[Mary of Teck\|Queen Mary]].<ref>Don't Laugh at Me, p. 1</ref> The couple married in Marylebone on 15 July 1912. Wisdom had an elder brother, Frederick Thomas "Fred" Wisdom (13 December 1912 – 1 July 1971).{{citation needed\|date=December 2017}}		Norman Joseph Wisdom was born in the [[w:Marylebone\|Marylebone]] district of London.<ref name=":0">{{cite ODNB\|title=Wisdom, Sir Norman Joseph (1915–2010), comedian and actor\|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-103354\|access-date=16 February 2022\|year=2014 \|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/103354\|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8 \|last1=Double \|first1=Oliver }}</ref> His parents were Frederick, a [[chauffeur]], and Maud Wisdom (née Targett), a [[dressmaker]] who often worked for West End theatres, and had made a dress for [[Mary of Teck\|Queen Mary]].<ref>Don't Laugh at Me, p. 1</ref> The couple married in Marylebone on 15 July 1912. Wisdom had an elder brother, Frederick Thomas "Fred" Wisdom (13 December 1912 – 1 July 1971).{{citation needed\|date=December 2017}}

	The family lived at 91 Fernhead Road, [[Maida Vale]], London W9, where they slept in one room.<ref name="MyTurn">{{cite book\|last1=Wisdom\| first1=Norman \|last2=Hall \|first2=William \|title= My Turn\|publisher=Arrow Books\|year=2003\|isbn=978-0-09-944676-7}}</ref> He and his brother were brought up in extreme poverty and were frequently hit by their father who would pick them up and throw them across the room.<ref name="Story" />		The family lived at 91 Fernhead Road, [[Maida Vale]], London W9, where they slept in one room.<ref name="MyTurn">{{cite book\|last1=Wisdom\| first1=Norman \|last2=Hall \|first2=William \|title= My Turn\|publisher=Arrow Books\|year=2003\|isbn=978-0-09-944676-7}}</ref> He and his brother were brought up in extreme poverty and were frequently hit by their father who would pick them up and throw them across the room.<ref name="Story" />

Kurt at 19:33, 14 September 2022

2022-09-14T19:33:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:33, 14 September 2022
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2022}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2022}}
	{{Infobox comedian		{{Infobox comedian
	\| honorific_prefix = [[Sir]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[w:Sir\|Sir]]
	\| name = Norman Wisdom		\| name = Norman Wisdom
	\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100\|OBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100\|OBE}}
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	\| birth_name = Norman Joseph Wisdom<ref name=freebmd>{{cite web \|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=Z88y67oUfrlQzqQjDgmp2Q&scan=1 \|title=Birth Index entry \|access-date=28 December 2008 \|work=FreeBMD \|publisher=ONS}}</ref>		\| birth_name = Norman Joseph Wisdom<ref name=freebmd>{{cite web \|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=Z88y67oUfrlQzqQjDgmp2Q&scan=1 \|title=Birth Index entry \|access-date=28 December 2008 \|work=FreeBMD \|publisher=ONS}}</ref>
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[Marylebone]], London, England		\| birth_place = [[w:Marylebone\|Marylebone]], London, England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2010\|10\|04\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2010\|10\|04\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[Ballasalla]], [[Isle of Man]]		\| death_place = [[w:Ballasalla\|Ballasalla]], [[w:Isle of Man\|Isle of Man]]
	\| medium = {{hlist\|Comedian\|actor\|singer}}		\| medium = {{hlist\|Comedian\|actor\|singer}}
	\| active = 1946–2008		\| active = 1946–2008
	\| resting_place = Kirk Bride Churchyard, [[Bride (parish)\|Bride]], Isle of Man		\| resting_place = Kirk Bride Churchyard, [[w:Bride (parish)\|Bride]], Isle of Man
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Doreen Brett\|1941\|1946\|~~reason~~=~~divorced~~}}~~<br />~~{{marriage\|Freda Simpson\|1947\|1969\|~~reason~~=~~divorced~~}}		\| spouse = {{plainlist\|
	\| children = 3, including [[Nicholas Wisdom]]		*{{marriage\|Doreen Brett\|1941\|1946\|end=div}}
			*{{marriage\|Freda Simpson\|1947\|1969\|end=div}}
			}}
			\| children = 3, including [[w:Nicholas Wisdom\|Nicholas Wisdom]]
	\| module = {{Infobox military person \| embed=yes		\| module = {{Infobox military person \| embed=yes
	\|allegiance= {{flagu\|United Kingdom}}		\|allegiance= {{flagu\|United Kingdom}}
	\|branch= [[Merchant Navy]]~~<br />~~[[British Army]]		\|branch= *[[w:Merchant Navy\|Merchant Navy]]
			*[[w:British Army\|British Army]]
	\|serviceyears= 1930–1946		\|serviceyears= 1930–1946
	\|rank=		\|rank=
	\|unit=[[10th Royal Hussars]]~~<br />~~[[Royal Corps of Signals]]		\|unit= *[[w:10th Royal Hussars\|10th Royal Hussars]]
			*[[w:Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Corps of Signals]]
	\|commands=		\|commands=
	\|battles= Second World War		\|battles= Second World War

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:33, 14 September 2022
Line 3:		Line 3:
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2022}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2022}}
	{{Infobox comedian		{{Infobox comedian
	\| honorific_prefix = [[Sir]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[w:Sir\|Sir]]
	\| name = Norman Wisdom		\| name = Norman Wisdom
	\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100\|OBE}}		\| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals\|country=GBR\|size=100\|OBE}}
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	\| birth_name = Norman Joseph Wisdom<ref name=freebmd>{{cite web \|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=Z88y67oUfrlQzqQjDgmp2Q&scan=1 \|title=Birth Index entry \|access-date=28 December 2008 \|work=FreeBMD \|publisher=ONS}}</ref>		\| birth_name = Norman Joseph Wisdom<ref name=freebmd>{{cite web \|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=Z88y67oUfrlQzqQjDgmp2Q&scan=1 \|title=Birth Index entry \|access-date=28 December 2008 \|work=FreeBMD \|publisher=ONS}}</ref>
	\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}		\| birth_date = {{Birth date\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| birth_place = [[Marylebone]], London, England		\| birth_place = [[w:Marylebone\|Marylebone]], London, England
	\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2010\|10\|04\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}		\| death_date = {{Death date and age\|2010\|10\|04\|1915\|02\|04\|df=yes}}
	\| death_place = [[Ballasalla]], [[Isle of Man]]		\| death_place = [[w:Ballasalla\|Ballasalla]], [[w:Isle of Man\|Isle of Man]]
	\| medium = {{hlist\|Comedian\|actor\|singer}}		\| medium = {{hlist\|Comedian\|actor\|singer}}
	\| active = 1946–2008		\| active = 1946–2008
	\| resting_place = Kirk Bride Churchyard, [[Bride (parish)\|Bride]], Isle of Man		\| resting_place = Kirk Bride Churchyard, [[w:Bride (parish)\|Bride]], Isle of Man
	\| spouse = {{marriage\|Doreen Brett\|1941\|1946\|~~reason~~=~~divorced~~}}~~<br />~~{{marriage\|Freda Simpson\|1947\|1969\|~~reason~~=~~divorced~~}}		\| spouse = {{plainlist\|
	\| children = 3, including [[Nicholas Wisdom]]		*{{marriage\|Doreen Brett\|1941\|1946\|end=div}}
			*{{marriage\|Freda Simpson\|1947\|1969\|end=div}}
			}}
			\| children = 3, including [[w:Nicholas Wisdom\|Nicholas Wisdom]]
	\| module = {{Infobox military person \| embed=yes		\| module = {{Infobox military person \| embed=yes
	\|allegiance= {{flagu\|United Kingdom}}		\|allegiance= {{flagu\|United Kingdom}}
	\|branch= [[Merchant Navy]]~~<br />~~[[British Army]]		\|branch= *[[w:Merchant Navy\|Merchant Navy]]
			*[[w:British Army\|British Army]]
	\|serviceyears= 1930–1946		\|serviceyears= 1930–1946
	\|rank=		\|rank=
	\|unit=[[10th Royal Hussars]]~~<br />~~[[Royal Corps of Signals]]		\|unit= *[[w:10th Royal Hussars\|10th Royal Hussars]]
			*[[w:Royal Corps of Signals\|Royal Corps of Signals]]
	\|commands=		\|commands=
	\|battles= Second World War		\|battles= Second World War