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{{Short description|English music hall comedian and singer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2012}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_suffix        = [[w:Officer of the Order of the British Empire|OBE]]
| honorific_suffix        = [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire|OBE]]
| image                    = Dickie_Henderson.jpg
| image                    = Dickie_Henderson.jpg
| caption                  =
| caption                  =
| birth_name              = Richard Matthew Michael Henderson
| birth_name              = Richard Matthew Michael Henderson
| birth_date              = {{birth date|1922|10|30|df=yes}}
| birth_date              = {{birth date|1922|10|30|df=yes}}
| birth_place              = [[w:London|London]], UK
| birth_place              = [[London|London]], UK
| death_date              = {{death date and age|1985|09|22|1922|10|30|df=y}}
| death_date              = {{death date and age|1985|09|22|1922|10|30|df=y}}
| death_place              = [[w:Essex|Essex]], UK
| death_place              = [[Essex|Essex]], UK
| restingplace            =  
| restingplace            =  
| othername                =  
| othername                =  
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| awards                  =  
| awards                  =  
}}
}}
'''Richard Matthew Michael Henderson''', [[w:Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (30 October 1922 &nbsp;– 22 September 1985)<ref name="Obit">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19850923&id=5cBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2208,5198539|title=Dickie Henderson obituary |work=[[w:The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|location=Glasgow|date=23 September 1985|accessdate=17 April 2014}}</ref> was an English entertainer.<ref name=bfi/>
'''Richard Matthew Michael Henderson''', [[Order of the British Empire|OBE]] (30 October 1922 &nbsp;– 22 September 1985)<ref name="Obit">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19850923&id=5cBAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2208,5198539|title=Dickie Henderson obituary |work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]|location=Glasgow|date=23 September 1985|accessdate=17 April 2014}}</ref> was an English entertainer.<ref name=bfi/>


==Early years==
==Early years==
He was born in [[w:London|London]].  His father, [[w:Dick Henderson|Dick Henderson]] (1891–1958), was a [[w:music hall|music hall]] comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice. He was well known for making the original British recording of the popular song "[[w:Tiptoe Through the Tulips|Tiptoe Through the Tulips]]".<ref name=timesobit>{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.obituaries/OoPHRRBBa2I|title=Google Groups|website=groups.google.com}}</ref> His two sisters Winifred and Teresa ('Triss') known as "the Henderson Twins", were also performers in the style of the [[w:Andrews Sisters|Andrews Sisters]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WvI6DwAAQBAJ&dq=dickie+henderson+%22Tiptoe+Through+the+Tulips%22&pg=PT124|title=High Buildings, Low Morals: Another Sideways Look at Twentieth Century London|first=Rob|last=Baker|date=15 October 2017|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=9781445666266|via=Google Books}}</ref>
He was born in [[London|London]].  His father, [[Dick Henderson|Dick Henderson]] (1891–1958), was a [[music hall|music hall]] comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice. He was well known for making the original British recording of the popular song "[[Tiptoe Through the Tulips|Tiptoe Through the Tulips]]".<ref name=timesobit>{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.obituaries/OoPHRRBBa2I|title=Google Groups|website=groups.google.com}}</ref> His two sisters Winifred and Teresa ('Triss') known as "the Henderson Twins", were also performers in the style of the [[Andrews Sisters|Andrews Sisters]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WvI6DwAAQBAJ&dq=dickie+henderson+%22Tiptoe+Through+the+Tulips%22&pg=PT124|title=High Buildings, Low Morals: Another Sideways Look at Twentieth Century London|first=Rob|last=Baker|date=15 October 2017|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=9781445666266|via=Google Books}}</ref>


Henderson was privately educated in both [[w:Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], when his father was touring in vaudeville, and Britain, at [[w:St Joseph's College, Upper Norwood|St Joseph's College, Beulah Hill, London]].<ref name=timesobit/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/dickie-henderson-p198689|title=Dickie Henderson - Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref>
Henderson was privately educated in both [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], when his father was touring in vaudeville, and Britain, at [[St Joseph's College, Upper Norwood|St Joseph's College, Beulah Hill, London]].<ref name=timesobit/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/dickie-henderson-p198689|title=Dickie Henderson - Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In America, Henderson broke into show business, aged 10, when he was offered a role as the son of [[w:Clive Brook|Clive Brook]] and [[w:Diana Wynyard|Diana Wynyard]] in the [[w:Frank Lloyd|Frank Lloyd]] film version of [[w:Noël Coward|Noël Coward]]'s play, ''[[w:Cavalcade (1933 film)|Cavalcade]]'' (1933).<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9f46d9c9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805233404/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9f46d9c9|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-08-05|title=Dickie Henderson|work=BFI}}</ref>
In America, Henderson broke into show business, aged 10, when he was offered a role as the son of [[Clive Brook|Clive Brook]] and [[Diana Wynyard|Diana Wynyard]] in the [[Frank Lloyd|Frank Lloyd]] film version of [[Noël Coward|Noël Coward]]'s play, ''[[Cavalcade (1933 film)|Cavalcade]]'' (1933).<ref name=bfi>{{cite web|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9f46d9c9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120805233404/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b9f46d9c9|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-08-05|title=Dickie Henderson|work=BFI}}</ref>


He was also in the running for the part of David Copperfield in [[w:George Cukor|George Cukor]]'s [[w:David Copperfield (1935 film)|film of the same name]], but his father insisted that he decline the part and return to Britain, because he felt Hollywood was not the place for a young boy. Henderson Jr. toured in music halls and appeared in several films with his famous father.
He was also in the running for the part of David Copperfield in [[George Cukor|George Cukor]]'s [[David Copperfield (1935 film)|film of the same name]], but his father insisted that he decline the part and return to Britain, because he felt Hollywood was not the place for a young boy. Henderson Jr. toured in music halls and appeared in several films with his famous father.


Dickie Henderson served in the [[w:British Army|Army]] during the [[w:Second World War|Second World War]], before appearing in revues, pantomimes and occasional films after [[w:demobilisation|demobilisation]]. He began a successful television career in 1953, with ''Face the Music'', followed by appearing in ''Before Your Very Eyes'' with [[Arthur Askey]]. He compered ''[[w:Sunday Night at the London Palladium|Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/563435/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1955-74)|website=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref>
Dickie Henderson served in the [[British Army|Army]] during the [[Second World War|Second World War]], before appearing in revues, pantomimes and occasional films after [[demobilisation|demobilisation]]. He began a successful television career in 1953, with ''Face the Music'', followed by appearing in ''Before Your Very Eyes'' with [[Arthur Askey]]. He compered ''[[Sunday Night at the London Palladium|Sunday Night at the London Palladium]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/563435/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1955-74)|website=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref>


He starred in his own [[w:ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[w:television program|television program]]me: ''The Dickie Henderson Half Hour'' in 1958, the success of which led to a touring stage show with [[w:Anthea Askey|Anthea Askey]] who played his wife, and their eventual immortalisation in a comic strip.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1297023/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Dickie Henderson Half-Hour, The (1958-59)|website=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He then starred in 84 episodes of ''The Dickie Henderson Show''.<ref name="Obit"/> In this [[w:sitcom|sitcom]], [[June Laverick]] played his wife and John Parsons played their son. [[Lionel Murton]] starred as Dickie's friend Jack, and Danny Grover played Richard Jr. There were five shows in 1960, twenty-three in 1961, twelve in 1962, twenty-two in 1963, ten in 1964 and eleven in 1965. There was another single show in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/shows_di_to_du.htm|title=TV SHOWS Di to Du|author=laurence marcus|work=televisionheaven.co.uk}}</ref>
He starred in his own [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] [[television program|television program]]me: ''The Dickie Henderson Half Hour'' in 1958, the success of which led to a touring stage show with [[Anthea Askey|Anthea Askey]] who played his wife, and their eventual immortalisation in a comic strip.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1297023/index.html|title=BFI Screenonline: Dickie Henderson Half-Hour, The (1958-59)|website=screenonline.org.uk}}</ref> He then starred in 84 episodes of ''The Dickie Henderson Show''.<ref name="Obit"/> In this [[sitcom|sitcom]], [[June Laverick]] played his wife and John Parsons played their son. [[Lionel Murton]] starred as Dickie's friend Jack, and Danny Grover played Richard Jr. There were five shows in 1960, twenty-three in 1961, twelve in 1962, twenty-two in 1963, ten in 1964 and eleven in 1965. There was another single show in 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/shows_di_to_du.htm|title=TV SHOWS Di to Du|author=laurence marcus|work=televisionheaven.co.uk}}</ref>


Other television work included a series of ''[[A Present for Dickie]]'', several spectaculars and a famous partnership with [[Bob Monkhouse]] in ''I'm Bob, He's Dickie'' followed by ''I'm Dickie &nbsp;– That's Showbusiness''. He went on to make many stage appearances including 20 months in the original London production of ''[[w:The Teahouse of the August Moon (play)|Teahouse of the August Moon]]'', followed by ''When in Rome'', ''Stand by your Bedouin'' and ''And the Bridge Makes Three''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/dkx/stand-by-your-bedouin/production/v34|title=Production of Stand by Your Bedouin - Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref> He also made many working trips abroad to the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, [[w:Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] and the [[w:Netherlands|Netherlands]].
Other television work included a series of ''[[A Present for Dickie]]'', several spectaculars and a famous partnership with [[Bob Monkhouse]] in ''I'm Bob, He's Dickie'' followed by ''I'm Dickie &nbsp;– That's Showbusiness''. He went on to make many stage appearances including 20 months in the original London production of ''[[The Teahouse of the August Moon (play)|Teahouse of the August Moon]]'', followed by ''When in Rome'', ''Stand by your Bedouin'' and ''And the Bridge Makes Three''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theatricalia.com/play/dkx/stand-by-your-bedouin/production/v34|title=Production of Stand by Your Bedouin - Theatricalia|website=theatricalia.com}}</ref> He also made many working trips abroad to the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, [[Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] and the [[Netherlands|Netherlands]].


==Other==
==Other==
Henderson appeared in eight [[w:Royal Variety Performance|Royal Command Performances]]. A keen golfer, Henderson enjoyed most sports. He was a leading [[w:Grand Order of Water Rats|Water Rat]] and was awarded the OBE, in recognition of his charitable work.<ref name="Obit"/>
Henderson appeared in eight [[Royal Variety Performance|Royal Command Performances]]. A keen golfer, Henderson enjoyed most sports. He was a leading [[Grand Order of Water Rats|Water Rat]] and was awarded the OBE, in recognition of his charitable work.<ref name="Obit"/>


==Family==
==Family==
He married Dixie Ross,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freebmd.rootsweb.com|title=FreeBMD, Marriages Jun 1948, Henderson Richard M M, Ross, Westminster 5c 941|work=rootsweb.com}}</ref> a member of the three [[w:The Ross Sisters|Ross Sisters]], whose act combined singing, acrobatics and contortionism; at the time of their marriage she used the name Veda, taken from that of her sister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/portrait-of-the-comedian-dickie-henderson-and-his-wife-news-photo/3285150|title=Best of News|author=Keystone|work=Getty Images}}</ref> They had a son and a daughter. After the death of his first wife from a barbiturate overdose in 1963, he remarried in 1965, to Gwynneth Wycherley.<ref name="ancestry.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.co.uk|title=Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records at Ancestry.co.uk|work=ancestry.co.uk}}</ref>
He married Dixie Ross,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freebmd.rootsweb.com|title=FreeBMD, Marriages Jun 1948, Henderson Richard M M, Ross, Westminster 5c 941|work=rootsweb.com}}</ref> a member of the three [[The Ross Sisters|Ross Sisters]], whose act combined singing, acrobatics and contortionism; at the time of their marriage she used the name Veda, taken from that of her sister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/portrait-of-the-comedian-dickie-henderson-and-his-wife-news-photo/3285150|title=Best of News|author=Keystone|work=Getty Images}}</ref> They had a son and a daughter. After the death of his first wife from a barbiturate overdose in 1963, he remarried in 1965, to Gwynneth Wycherley.<ref name="ancestry.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.ancestry.co.uk|title=Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records at Ancestry.co.uk|work=ancestry.co.uk}}</ref>


Dickie Henderson died in Essex from [[w:pancreatic cancer|pancreatic cancer]] on 22 September 1985, aged 62.<ref name="Obit"/><ref name="ancestry.co.uk"/>
Dickie Henderson died in Essex from [[pancreatic cancer|pancreatic cancer]] on 22 September 1985, aged 62.<ref name="Obit"/><ref name="ancestry.co.uk"/>


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
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! Notes
! Notes
|-
|-
|1933|| ''[[w:Cavalcade (1933 film)|Cavalcade]]'' || Master Edward ||
|1933|| ''[[Cavalcade (1933 film)|Cavalcade]]'' || Master Edward ||
|-
|-
|1935|| ''[[w:Things Are Looking Up (film)|Things Are Looking Up]]'' || Mr. Money's Son ||
|1935|| ''[[Things Are Looking Up (film)|Things Are Looking Up]]'' || Mr. Money's Son ||
|-
|-
|1957|| ''[[w:Time Without Pity|Time Without Pity]]'' || Comedian ||
|1957|| ''[[Time Without Pity|Time Without Pity]]'' || Comedian ||
|-
|-
|1959|| ''[[w:Make Mine a Million|Make Mine a Million]]'' || Self - Cameo appearance ||
|1959|| ''[[Make Mine a Million|Make Mine a Million]]'' || Self - Cameo appearance ||
|}
|}


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[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in England]]
[[Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer]]
[[Category:English entertainers]]
[[Category:English entertainers]]
[[Category:English male child actors]]
[[Category:English male child actors]]

Latest revision as of 11:35, 19 February 2023

Dickie Henderson
Dickie Henderson.jpg
Born
Richard Matthew Michael Henderson

(1922-10-30)30 October 1922
London, UK
Died22 September 1985(1985-09-22) (aged 62)
Essex, UK
Occupation(s)Comedian
Actor
Singer
Dancer
Entertainer
Spouses
Dixie Ross
(m. 1948; died 1963)
Gwynneth Wycherley
(m. 1965⁠–⁠1985)
Children2

Richard Matthew Michael Henderson, OBE (30 October 1922  – 22 September 1985)[1] was an English entertainer.[2]

Early years

He was born in London. His father, Dick Henderson (1891–1958), was a music hall comedian and singer famous for his short, rotund appearance, bowler hat and beautiful singing voice. He was well known for making the original British recording of the popular song "Tiptoe Through the Tulips".[3] His two sisters Winifred and Teresa ('Triss') known as "the Henderson Twins", were also performers in the style of the Andrews Sisters.[4]

Henderson was privately educated in both Hollywood, when his father was touring in vaudeville, and Britain, at St Joseph's College, Beulah Hill, London.[3][5]

Career

In America, Henderson broke into show business, aged 10, when he was offered a role as the son of Clive Brook and Diana Wynyard in the Frank Lloyd film version of Noël Coward's play, Cavalcade (1933).[2]

He was also in the running for the part of David Copperfield in George Cukor's film of the same name, but his father insisted that he decline the part and return to Britain, because he felt Hollywood was not the place for a young boy. Henderson Jr. toured in music halls and appeared in several films with his famous father.

Dickie Henderson served in the Army during the Second World War, before appearing in revues, pantomimes and occasional films after demobilisation. He began a successful television career in 1953, with Face the Music, followed by appearing in Before Your Very Eyes with Arthur Askey. He compered Sunday Night at the London Palladium.[6]

He starred in his own ITV television programme: The Dickie Henderson Half Hour in 1958, the success of which led to a touring stage show with Anthea Askey who played his wife, and their eventual immortalisation in a comic strip.[7] He then starred in 84 episodes of The Dickie Henderson Show.[1] In this sitcom, June Laverick played his wife and John Parsons played their son. Lionel Murton starred as Dickie's friend Jack, and Danny Grover played Richard Jr. There were five shows in 1960, twenty-three in 1961, twelve in 1962, twenty-two in 1963, ten in 1964 and eleven in 1965. There was another single show in 1971.[8]

Other television work included a series of A Present for Dickie, several spectaculars and a famous partnership with Bob Monkhouse in I'm Bob, He's Dickie followed by I'm Dickie  – That's Showbusiness. He went on to make many stage appearances including 20 months in the original London production of Teahouse of the August Moon, followed by When in Rome, Stand by your Bedouin and And the Bridge Makes Three.[9] He also made many working trips abroad to the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and the Netherlands.

Other

Henderson appeared in eight Royal Command Performances. A keen golfer, Henderson enjoyed most sports. He was a leading Water Rat and was awarded the OBE, in recognition of his charitable work.[1]

Family

He married Dixie Ross,[10] a member of the three Ross Sisters, whose act combined singing, acrobatics and contortionism; at the time of their marriage she used the name Veda, taken from that of her sister.[11] They had a son and a daughter. After the death of his first wife from a barbiturate overdose in 1963, he remarried in 1965, to Gwynneth Wycherley.[12]

Dickie Henderson died in Essex from pancreatic cancer on 22 September 1985, aged 62.[1][12]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1933 Cavalcade Master Edward
1935 Things Are Looking Up Mr. Money's Son
1957 Time Without Pity Comedian
1959 Make Mine a Million Self - Cameo appearance

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Dickie Henderson obituary". The Herald. Glasgow. 23 September 1985. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Dickie Henderson". BFI. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05.
  3. ^ a b "Google Groups". groups.google.com.
  4. ^ Baker, Rob (15 October 2017). High Buildings, Low Morals: Another Sideways Look at Twentieth Century London. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 9781445666266 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Dickie Henderson - Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  6. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1955-74)". screenonline.org.uk.
  7. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Dickie Henderson Half-Hour, The (1958-59)". screenonline.org.uk.
  8. ^ laurence marcus. "TV SHOWS Di to Du". televisionheaven.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Production of Stand by Your Bedouin - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  10. ^ "FreeBMD, Marriages Jun 1948, Henderson Richard M M, Ross, Westminster 5c 941". rootsweb.com.
  11. ^ Keystone. "Best of News". Getty Images.
  12. ^ a b "Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records at Ancestry.co.uk". ancestry.co.uk.

External links