1. Norman Wisdom rose to prominence with his first leading film role in Trouble in Store, which earned him the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.
51 Facts About Norman Wisdom
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Norman Wisdom enjoyed particular fame in Albania, where under dictator Enver Hoxha, his films were among the few Western productions allowed to be shown.
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Norman Wisdom was once described by Charlie Chaplin as his "favourite clown".
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In later years, Norman Wisdom broadened his career to include stage and television.
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Norman Wisdom performed on Broadway in New York City alongside stars such as Mandy Patinkin, and won critical acclaim for his dramatic performance as a terminally ill cancer patient in the 1981 television play Going Gently.
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Norman Wisdom toured internationally, including performances in Australia and South Africa.
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In recognition of his contributions to entertainment, Norman Wisdom was awarded the Freedom of the City of both London and Tirana in 1995, the same year he was appointed an OBE.
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Norman Joseph Wisdom was born in the Marylebone district of London.
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Norman Wisdom's parents were Frederick, a chauffeur, and Maud Wisdom, a dressmaker who often worked for West End theatres and once made a dress for Queen Mary.
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Norman Wisdom soon found work as an errand boy in a grocer's shop, despite not initially knowing how to ride a bicycle.
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However, the boy's family was unable to house him, and Norman Wisdom found himself homeless again.
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Norman Wisdom later joined the Merchant Navy as a cabin boy, sailing to Argentina.
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In 1930, Norman Wisdom was posted to Lucknow, in the United Provinces of British India, where he served as a band boy.
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At the outbreak of the Second World War, Norman Wisdom was assigned to a communications centre in a command bunker in London.
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Norman Wisdom met Winston Churchill on several occasions while delivering updates on incoming calls.
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Norman Wisdom later joined the Royal Corps of Signals, performing similar duties at unit headquarters in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
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Norman Wisdom began honing his skills as a musician and stage entertainer.
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At the age of 31, Norman Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer, still referring to himself as "The Successful Failure".
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Norman Wisdom is an accomplished pianist, a pleasing singer, a talented instrumentalist, a clever mimer, and withal, a true humourist.
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Norman Wisdom shared the stage with magician David Nixon, and their onstage chemistry resulted in further variety performances together, beginning again at the London Casino in September 1948.
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In 1948, Norman Wisdom made his television debut and quickly gained a large following.
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Norman Wisdom starred in a series of low-budget comedies produced by the Rank Organisation, beginning with Trouble in Store.
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Norman Wisdom's second starring film, One Good Turn, ranked as the seventh most popular British film of that year.
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Nevertheless, Norman Wisdom retained his position as the tenth most popular star at the British box office.
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Norman Wisdom returned to more familiar comedic roles in On the Beat, where he played a car cleaner, and in A Stitch in Time, as an apprentice butcher.
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In 1966, Norman Wisdom spent a brief 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 Harold Brighouse's play Hobson's Choice.
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Norman Wisdom was among the actors initially considered for the lead role of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em.
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Norman Wisdom declined the offer, reportedly because he "didn't find it funny", and the role was eventually played by Michael Crawford.
29.
On 31 December 1976, Norman Wisdom performed his theme song "Don't Laugh at Me " during BBC1's A Jubilee of Music, held to celebrate British pop music in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's forthcoming Silver Jubilee.
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Norman Wisdom had previously performed for the Queen at many Royal Command Performances, beginning in 1952.
31.
Norman Wisdom appeared on a special edition of This Is Your Life in 2000, dedicated to actor-director Todd Carty.
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Norman Wisdom became a beloved cultural icon in Albania, where his films were among the few Western imports permitted under the regime of Enver Hoxha.
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Norman Wisdom returned in 2001, coinciding with the England vs Albania match in Tirana.
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In recognition of his enduring popularity, Norman Wisdom was made an honorary citizen of Tirana in 1995.
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In October 2004, Norman Wisdom announced that he would retire from the entertainment industry on his 90th birthday, 4 February 2005.
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Norman Wisdom stated that he intended to spend more time with his family, play golf, and enjoy driving around the Isle of Man, where he was living at the time.
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Norman Wisdom later announced that this would be his final film role.
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However, on the day of filming, Norman Wisdom was so engaged that his performance was expanded to include more comedic moments.
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The couple divorced in 1969, with Norman Wisdom being granted full custody of their children.
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Norman Wisdom was active in charitable causes, including support for orphanages in Albania.
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Norman Wisdom argued that it was a personal investment, but the court ruled it was a trading venture, and therefore subject to income tax.
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Norman Wisdom had a fondness for Everton and Newcastle United.
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Norman Wisdom enjoyed golf, and was a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats.
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Norman Wisdom held honorary membership in the Winkle Club, a charitable organization in Hastings, East Sussex.
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An enthusiast of classic cars, Norman Wisdom's collection included a 1956 Bentley S1 Continental R Type fastback, which he first acquired in 1961 and repurchased in the late 1980s.
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In mid-2006, after experiencing an irregular heart rhythm, Norman Wisdom was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Liverpool, where he was fitted with a heart pacemaker.
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Norman Wisdom moved into the Abbotswood nursing home in Ballasalla on 12 July 2007, where he remained until 4 October 2010.
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That same month, following the DVD release of Expresso, the BBC reported that Norman Wisdom was living in a care home due to vascular dementia.
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Norman Wisdom died on 4 October 2010 at Abbotswood nursing home on the Isle of Man, aged 95.
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Norman Wisdom's funeral was held on 22 October 2010 in Douglas, Isle of Man, with an open invitation extended to all island residents.
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Norman Wisdom was buried at Kirk Bride Churchyard in Bride, Isle of Man.