Max Bygraves facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Max Bygraves OBE
Bygraves in 1976
Born	Walter William Bygraves (1922-10-16)16 October 1922 Rotherhithe, London, England
Died	31 August 2012(2012-08-31) (aged 89) Hope Island, Queensland, Australia
Occupation	Comedian singer actor variety performer
Years active	1943–2006
Spouse(s)	Gladys "Blossom" Murray ​ ​ (m. 1942; her death 2011)​
Children	6 (three with Blossom, three from ...)

Max Bygraves (born Walter William Bygraves; 16 October 1922 – 31 August 2012) was a famous English comedian, singer, and actor. He was also a popular variety performer. He had his own TV shows where he sang and performed funny skits.

Max performed at the Royal Variety Performance many times. He also hosted popular shows like Family Fortunes. His famous catchphrase was "I wanna tell you a story." This phrase actually became popular after another comedian, Mike Yarwood, used it while pretending to be Max.

Early Life and Education

Max Bygraves was born in Rotherhithe, London, in 1922. He grew up in a small flat with his parents and five brothers and sisters. His dad was a boxer and a dockworker.

Max went to St Joseph's School and sang in the choir at Westminster Cathedral. He left school at 14 and worked as a pageboy at the Savoy Hotel. He was fired from this job for being too tall. Later, he worked as a messenger.

During the Second World War, Max served in the Royal Air Force. He worked as a fitter and a carpenter. He chose the name Max Bygraves to honor another comedian, Max Miller.

Starting His Career

After the war, Max Bygraves worked on building sites during the day. In the evenings, he would entertain people in pubs. He started performing on stage in January 1945. People quickly noticed his talent for impressions.

In 1946, he toured with comedian Frankie Howerd. Frankie introduced Max to Eric Sykes, and they began writing comedy routines together. Max also helped create the radio show Educating Archie. On this show, he played the teacher for a puppet named Archie Andrews.

Becoming a Star

In 1950, Max Bygraves performed at the famous London Palladium for the first time. He supported well-known acts like Abbott and Costello. In 1951, he supported Judy Garland at the Palladium. She was so impressed that she invited him to perform in New York.

Max also became a very successful singer. He had seven songs reach the top ten in the UK Singles Chart. Many of his songs were fun and playful. He even wrote some of his most popular songs, like "You Need Hands."

Acting and TV Shows

Besides singing, Max Bygraves also acted in British films. Some of his movies include Bless 'Em All (1948) and Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951). He played the main character in the 1956 film Charley Moon.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Max was a guest on many TV shows. He appeared on popular American shows like those hosted by Ed Sullivan and Jack Benny. In 1961, he was featured on the show This Is Your Life.

From 1983 to 1985, Max Bygraves hosted the popular game show Family Fortunes. He took over from his friend, comedian Bob Monkhouse.

Singalongamax Albums

Starting in 1972, Max Bygraves began recording a series of albums called Sing Along With Max. These albums featured him singing medleys of well-known songs. They were very popular, selling millions of copies. These albums led to more shows and recordings.

Honors and Awards

In 1982, Max Bygraves was given a special award. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognizes his important contributions.

Personal Life

Max Bygraves married Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. She was a sergeant in the WAAF. They had three children together.

In 1974, Max had a scary moment near his home. He got stuck on a cliff while trying to get his grandson's kite. Police and firefighters helped him get to safety. In 1999, he had treatment for an ear problem.

Max and Blossom Bygraves moved to Queensland, Australia, in 2008. Blossom passed away there in 2011.

Later Years and Death

Max Bygraves was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010. He passed away from complications of this illness on 31 August 2012. He was at his daughter's home in Hope Island, Queensland, Australia.

Television Appearances

• Whack-O! (1960)
• The Royal Variety Performance (1961; 1963 etc.)
• The Jack Benny Program (1963)
• It's Sad About Eddie (1964)
• Max Bygraves meets The Black and White Minstrels (1965)
• Max (1969–74)
• Max Bygraves Says "I Wanna Tell You a Story" (1976–77)
• Singalongamax (1978–80)
• Max Bygraves – Side by Side (1982)
• Family Fortunes (1983–85)
• The Mind of David Berglas (1986)
• Call Up the Stars (1995)
• Against the Odds RAF Documentary (2001)

Film Appearances

• Bless 'Em All (1948)
• The Nitwits on Parade (1949)
• Skimpy in the Navy (1949)
• Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951)
• Charley Moon (1956)
• A Cry from the Streets (1958)
• Bobbikins (1959)
• Spare the Rod (1961)
• The Alf Garnett Saga (1972)
• The Jigsaw Man (1983)

Discography

Popular Singles

• "Cowpuncher's Cantata" (1952)
• "Heart of My Heart" (1954)
• "Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea" (1954)
• "Mr Sandman" (1955)
• "Meet Me on the Corner" (1955)
• "Ballad of Davy Crockett" (1956)
• "Out of Town" (1956)
• "Heart" (1957)
• "You Need Hands" / "Tulips from Amsterdam" (1958)
• "Little Train" / "Gotta Have Rain" (1958)
• "My Ukulele" (1959)
• "Jingle Bell Rock" (1959)
• "Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be" (1960)
• "Consider Yourself" (1960)
• "Bells of Avignon" (1961)
• "You're My Everything" (1969)
• "Deck of Cards" (1973)
• "White Christmas" (1989)

Albums

• Show Stoppers (1962)
• Sing Along with Max (1972)
• Sing Along with Max Vol. 2 (1972)
• Singalongamax Vol. 3 (1973)
• Singalongamax Vol. 4 (1973)
• Singalongapartysong (1973)
• You Make Me Feel Like Singing a Song (1974)
• Singalongaxmas (1974)
• 100 Golden Greats (1976)
• Lingalongamax (1978)
• Discolongamax (1979)
• The Song and Dance Men (1978)
• Singalongawaryears (1989)
• Singalongawaryears Volume 2 (1989)

See also

In Spanish: Max Bygraves para niños