Frankie Howerd facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frankie Howerd OBE
Portrait by Allan Warren, 1976
Born	Francis Alick Howard (1917-03-06)6 March 1917 York, England
Died	19 April 1992(1992-04-19) (aged 75) Fulham, London, England
Resting place	St. Gregory's Church, Weare, Somerset, England
Occupation	Actor comedian
Years active	1946–1992
Partner(s)	Dennis Heymer (1958–1992)

Francis Alick Howard (6 March 1917 – 19 April 1992), known as Frankie Howerd, was a famous English actor and comedian. He was known for his unique style of comedy and for talking directly to the audience during his shows.

Early Life and Education

Frankie Howerd was born in York, England, in 1917. His father was a soldier, and his mother worked at a chocolate factory. When he was very young, his family moved to Eltham, London.

He went to Shooter's Hill Grammar School in Shooter's Hill. Frankie had a fear of heights, which he said came from falling down stairs when he was a toddler.

Comedy Career and Rise to Fame

Frankie Howerd first performed on stage when he was 13. He hoped to become a serious actor, but he didn't get into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

During World War II, he entertained soldiers in the British Army. This is when he changed his last name to Howerd to be different. Even though he often felt nervous before performing (this is called stage fright), he kept working after the war. He started his professional career in 1946 in a touring show.

His comedy soon became popular on the radio. He first appeared on the BBC's Variety Bandbox show in 1946. Famous writers like Eric Sykes helped him create his jokes. He became known for his funny sayings, like "titter ye not."

Film and Television Success

In 1954, Frankie Howerd made his first movie, The Runaway Bus. He then tried different types of acting, including stage comedies and TV shows.

In the 1960s, his popularity grew again. He appeared on popular TV shows like That Was the Week That Was in 1963. He also starred in the stage play A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. This led to more regular TV work.

Frankie Howerd was known for talking to the audience as if he was making up jokes on the spot. He starred in many shows for the BBC and other TV channels.

He also appeared in several popular Carry On films, including Carry On Doctor (1967) and Carry On Up the Jungle (1970).

One of his most famous roles was Lurcio in the TV show Up Pompeii! (1969–1970) and the movie Up Pompeii (1971). He played similar characters in other films like Up the Chastity Belt (1971) and Up the Front (1972).

In 1977, Frankie Howerd was given an OBE award for his contributions to entertainment.

He also appeared in the big Hollywood musical movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1978. He acted alongside famous musicians and actors like the Bee Gees and Steve Martin.

In the later years of his career, Frankie Howerd became popular with younger audiences, including students. He performed one-man shows at universities and smaller theaters.

He often worked with his pianist, Sunny Rogers, who was with him from 1960. She appeared in his TV shows and live performances.

Personal Life

Frankie Howerd had a stutter when he was younger. This made him feel worried, but he learned to use it in his comedy style, making his delivery unique.

For the last 20 years of his life, Frankie Howerd lived in a house called Wavering Down in the village of Cross, Somerset. He lived there with Dennis Heymer.

Death

Frankie Howerd became ill in early 1992 after a trip. He had breathing problems and was taken to a clinic. He passed away from heart failure on 19 April 1992, at the age of 75. He was still planning new shows just hours before he died.

He is buried at St. Gregory's Church in Weare, Somerset. Dennis Heymer was buried near him in 2009.

Legacy and Remembrance

27 Edwardes Square, London

Blue plaque at Edwardes Square, London

In 2008, the BBC made a TV show about Frankie Howerd called Rather You Than Me. The actor David Walliams played Frankie Howerd in the show.

Frankie Howerd's home, Wavering Down, is now a tourist attraction. In the summer, it hosts concerts and opens as a museum. Visitors can see his collection of items and personal effects, which helps raise money for charity.

There are also special plaques in places where Frankie Howerd lived or performed. One is in Edwardes Square, London, and another is on the Grand Opera House in York. A plaque was also placed on his childhood home in York.

The church hall of St Barnabas Church in Eltham is named the Frankie Howerd Centre in his honor.

The comedian Barry Cryer once said that Frankie Howerd's career was "a series of comebacks," meaning he always found a way to become popular again.

Works

Recordings

Singles

• "Three Little Fishies" (1949)
• "English As She Is Spoken"/"I'm The Man Who's Deputising for the Bull" (1952)
• "All's Going Well"/"Nymphs and Shepherds" (1953), with Margaret Rutherford
• "Up Je t'aime" (1971), with June Whitfield

Albums

• At The Establishment and at the BBC (1963)
• Please Yourselves (1976)

Radio

• The Frankie Howerd Show (1966)
• The Frankie Howerd Show (1973–75)
• The Frankie Howerd Variety Show (1978)
• Frankie Howerd's Memoirs (date unknown)

Television

Video

• Frankie Howerd at His Tittermost (1991)

Selected Filmography

• The Runaway Bus (1954) – Percy Lamb
• The Ladykillers (1955) – The Barrow Boy
• An Alligator Named Daisy (1955)
• Jumping for Joy (1956) – Willie Joy
• A Touch of the Sun (1956) – William Darling
• Further Up the Creek (1958) – Bosun
• Watch It, Sailor! (1961)
• The Fast Lady (1962)
• The Cool Mikado (1963) – Ko-Ko Flintridge
• The Mouse on the Moon (1963)
• The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966) – Alphonse of Monte Carlo / Alfred Askett
• Carry On Doctor (1967) – Francis Bigger
• Carry On Up the Jungle (1970) – Professor Inigo Tinkle
• Up Pompeii (1971) – Lurcio
• Up the Chastity Belt (1971) – Richard / Lurkalot
• Up the Front (1972) – Lurk
• The House in Nightmare Park (1973) – Foster Twelvetrees
• Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) – Mr. Mustard

See also

In Spanish: Frankie Howerd para niños