Bruce Forsyth facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE
Forsyth in 2006
Born	Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson (1928-02-22)22 February 1928 Edmonton, England
Died	18 August 2017(2017-08-18) (aged 89) Virginia Water, England
Resting place	London Palladium
Other names	Boy Bruce the Mighty Atom Brucie Brucey Sir Brucie Bruce Sir Bruce
Occupation	Presenter actor comedian singer dancer screenwriter
Years active	1939–2015
Spouse(s)	Penny Calvert ​ ​ (m. 1953; div. 1973)​ Anthea Redfern ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1979)​ Wilnelia Merced ​ ​ (m. 1983)​
Children	6
Relatives	Joseph Forsyth Johnson (great-grandfather) William Forsyth (4x great-grandfather)
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Air Force
Years of service	1947–1949
Unit	Film Unit

Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson (22 February 1928 – 18 August 2017) was a famous British entertainer and TV presenter. His amazing career lasted for more than 70 years! He became well-known in the late 1950s with the TV show Sunday Night at the London Palladium. Bruce went on to host many popular game shows like The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, and The Price Is Right. From 2004 to 2013, he also co-presented Strictly Come Dancing. In 2012, Guinness World Records officially named him the male entertainer with the longest TV career.

Early Life and Beginnings

Bruce Forsyth was born on 22 February 1928 in Edmonton, England. His parents, Florence and John, owned a car repair garage. They were also part of The Salvation Army and played brass instruments. His mother was a singer.

Bruce had some interesting family history! His great-grandfather, Joseph Forsyth Johnson, was a landscape architect who designed gardens in many countries. His great-great-great-great-grandfather, William Forsyth, helped start the Royal Horticultural Society. The plant Forsythia is even named after him!

When the Second World War started, Bruce was sent away to Clacton-on-Sea for safety. But he missed home so much that his parents let him come back to London. In 1943, his older brother, John, who was a pilot in the Royal Air Force, sadly died during a training exercise. Bruce went to the Latymer School. When he was eight, he saw Fred Astaire dancing in movies and was inspired. He then started training in dance himself.

A Star is Born: Bruce's Career

Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom

Bruce started performing live when he was just 14 years old. His act was called "Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom," and it included singing, dancing, and playing the accordion. His very first show was at the Theatre Royal in Bilston. He had actually appeared on TV even earlier, in 1939, as a child on a BBC talent show called Come and Be Televised.

Post-War Work and Big Break

After the war, Bruce spent many years performing on stage. He worked seven days a week in summer shows, pantomimes, and circuses. He even became known for a strong-man act! His career was paused when he joined the Royal Air Force at 19 for national service. He later said this time taught him "respect and discipline."

In 1958, Bruce got a huge opportunity. He was asked to host Sunday Night at the London Palladium, a popular weekly TV show. He hosted it for two years, took a break, and then returned for another year. This show made him a household name!

Bruce Forsyth on the front of a souvenir brochure for "Every Night at the Palladium" in 1962

Bruce also appeared in some films. In 1968, he was in the musical film Star! with Julie Andrews. In 1970, he played a character called Swinburne in the Disney fantasy film Bedknobs and Broomsticks. In 1976, he even appeared on The Muppet Show and joked around with Statler and Waldorf.

King of Game Shows

Bruce's next big success was The Generation Game on BBC One. This show was incredibly popular from 1971 to 1977, and again from 1990 to 1994. Millions of people watched it every Saturday evening. On this show, Bruce created his famous "The Thinker" pose, where he looked like Rodin's famous sculpture. He also wrote and sang the show's theme song, "Life is the Name of the Game."

After a short break from TV, Bruce returned to host Play Your Cards Right on ITV. This was the UK version of an American game show. He hosted it for many years, from 1980 to 1987, and again from 1994 to 1999. He also hosted The Price Is Right from 1995 to 2001 and You Bet! from 1988 to 1990.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Bruce was also famous for appearing in TV adverts for furniture stores, where he dressed up as a judge!

Later Career and Strictly Success

In 2003, Bruce was a guest presenter on the comedy quiz show Have I Got News for You. Then, in 2004, he began co-hosting Strictly Come Dancing. This show became a massive hit, and Bruce hosted it until 2013, formally stepping down from the regular live shows in 2014. He continued to appear in special episodes.

In 2010, Bruce was featured on the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?, which explores people's family history. In 2011, he released a CD of songs called These Are My Favourites. He chose songs that were special to him, and it even included a duet with his granddaughter.

Awards and Tributes

Forsyth opening The Sir Bruce Forsyth Auditorium at the Millfield Theatre, Enfield, in October 2009

Bruce Forsyth received many awards throughout his long career. He was named TV Times Male TV Personality of the Year several times in the 1970s and BBC TV Personality of the Year in 1991.

In 1998, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Then, in 2006, he became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). These are special honours given by the Queen for great achievements.

In 2005, a special TV show called A BAFTA Tribute to Bruce Forsyth celebrated his 60 years in show business. A bronze statue of him was also placed at the London Palladium theatre. In 2008, he received the BAFTA Fellowship, which is one of the highest honours in British television.

A huge moment came in 2011 when Bruce was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2011 Birthday Honours. This meant he became "Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE." He was officially knighted by the Queen herself!

In 2012, Bruce had the honour of carrying the Olympic flame through London for the London 2012 Torch Relay. The Guinness Book of World Records also recognised him in 2013 for having the longest career as a male TV entertainer. He even performed at the Glastonbury Festival in 2013, becoming the oldest performer to play there!

Personal Life

Bruce Forsyth was married three times. His first marriage was to Penny Calvert from 1953 to 1973. They had three daughters: Debbie, Julie, and Laura. Julie is a songwriter.

In 1973, he married Anthea Redfern, who was the hostess on The Generation Game. They had two daughters, Charlotte and Louisa, before they divorced in 1979.

In 1980, Bruce met Wilnelia Merced at the Miss World competition. Wilnelia had been Miss World 1975. They married in 1983 and stayed together until his death in 2017. They had one son named Jonathan Joseph, known as "JJ." Bruce had six children in total, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Bruce was a big supporter of the children's charity Caudwell Children. He often appeared at their events to help raise money. He lived in Virginia Water, Surrey, for many years.

Illness and Passing

Towards the end of his life, Bruce Forsyth faced some health challenges. In October 2015, he had a fall at home. A month later, he made his last full TV appearance on a Strictly Children in Need Special. After this, he had surgery for a health issue. Because of his recovery, he couldn't host the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special that year, but he recorded a special video message for it.

After 2015, Bruce didn't make any more public appearances as his health continued to decline. In February 2017, he was in the hospital for a severe chest infection.

On 18 August 2017, Bruce Forsyth sadly passed away at his home in Virginia Water at the age of 89. He died from a chest infection. Many famous people and friends shared their tributes to him, including his Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly and the then Prime Minister, Theresa May. The BBC aired a special tribute show called Sir Bruce Forsyth – Mr Entertainment.

A few days later, the new series of Strictly Come Dancing began with a special dance routine from the professional dancers to honour him. On 18 August 2018, exactly one year after his death, Bruce Forsyth's ashes were laid to rest under the stage at the London Palladium in a private ceremony.

Film and Television Appearances

Bruce Forsyth appeared in many TV shows and films throughout his career. Here are some of the most well-known:

Stage Performances

Bruce also loved performing live on stage.

Music Albums

Bruce Forsyth also released music albums.

Images for kids

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  Forsyth opening The Sir Bruce Forsyth Auditorium at the Millfield Theatre, Enfield, in October 2009

See also

In Spanish: Bruce Forsyth para niños