Jackie Wright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackie Wright
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|---|---|
| Born |
John Wright
24 September 1904 Belfast, Ireland
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| Died | 11 January 1989 |
| Occupation | Comedian |
| Height | 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) |
John Wright (born September 24, 1904 – died January 11, 1989), known professionally as Jackie Wright, was a funny comedian from Northern Ireland. People also called him Little Jackie or Uncle Jackie.
He was most famous for being the bald-headed sidekick of Benny Hill on his TV show, The Benny Hill Show. Jackie worked on the show for fifteen years! His short height – he was only 4 feet 11 inches (1.50 m) tall – and his unique Northern Irish accent made him perfect for comedy.
Jackie Wright's Early Life and Career
Jackie Wright was born in Belfast, which is in Northern Ireland. He was one of twelve children in his family. When he was young, Jackie worked building car bodies, even for a famous car company called Cadillac in the United States.
In the early 1930s, a tough time called the Great Depression happened. Many people lost their jobs. Jackie returned to Belfast and started working in entertainment. First, he was a musician, and then he became a supporting comedian.
Joining The Benny Hill Show
Jackie didn't start working in television until the 1960s. That's when Benny Hill found him and asked him to join his comedy group. At that time, Benny Hill was moving his show to a new TV company called Thames Television.
On the show, Benny Hill often called him "Little Jackie." In many of the show's funny, fast-motion scenes, Benny would often pat Jackie's bald head very quickly. This made a funny smacking sound. One actress said that Jackie often hid his cigarette during scenes. Benny would sometimes slap his head to make the smoke go away!
Jackie Wright also appeared in a short TV show in 1973 called Whoops Baghdad. He also had a small part in a musical comedy movie called Three for All in 1975. Later, edited versions of The Benny Hill Show became very popular in the US, and Jackie gained many fans.
Later Years and Passing
Jackie Wright left The Benny Hill Show in 1983 because he wasn't feeling well. However, some old scenes he filmed were still used in new Benny Hill shows until 1985.
About five and a half years later, Jackie passed away in a Belfast hospital. He was 84 years old and had been sick for a while. When Jackie died, Benny Hill said, "He was a lovely little fella... I'm saddened beyond words."
