Michael Crawford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Crawford CBE
Crawford in Sydney, 2012
Born	Michael Patrick Smith (1942-01-19) 19 January 1942 (age 83) Salisbury, Wiltshire, England
Occupation	Actor comedian singer stuntman
Years active	1955–present
Known for	Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, The Phantom of the Opera, Hello, Dolly!
Spouse(s)	Gabrielle Lewis ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1975)​
Partner(s)	Natasha MacAller (1996‍–‍present)
Children	3

Michael Patrick Smith (born 19 January 1942), known as Michael Crawford, is an English actor, comedian, and singer.

He is famous for playing Frank Spencer in the TV show Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. He also starred as Cornelius Hackl in the movie Hello, Dolly!. Another big role was the main character in the musical The Phantom of the Opera. His performance in Phantom won him major awards. These include the Laurence Olivier Award and a Tony Award.

Michael Crawford has won many awards during his career. He has performed in films, on television, and on stage. He has worked in London's West End and on Broadway. He also wrote a book about his life called Parcel Arrived Safely: Tied With String. Since 1987, he has been a leader for the Sick Children's Trust. This is a British group that helps sick children.

Early Life and School Days

Michael Crawford was raised by his mother, Doris Agnes Mary Pike. He also lived with his grandparents, Montague and Edith Pike. He described his family as a "close-knit Roman Catholic" one. His grandmother was from Derry, Northern Ireland. She lived to be 99 years old.

His mother's first husband, Arthur Dumbell Smith, died in 1940. This was during the Battle of Britain. Michael was born 16 months later. He was given his mother's last name, which was Smith.

During the war, Michael lived with his mother in a military camp in Wiltshire. He also spent time on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. This was where his mother grew up. He went to St Michael's, a Catholic school in Bexleyheath. After the Second World War, his mother married Lionel Dennis "Den" Ingram. They moved to London. Michael attended Oakfield Preparatory School in Dulwich. There, he was known as Michael Ingram.

Michael Crawford's Acting Journey

Starting His Career on Stage

Michael first appeared on stage in a school play. He played Sammy the Little Sweep in Let's Make an Opera. This play was later moved to Brixton Town Hall in London. He tried out for another role but didn't get it. However, his audition impressed the composer, Benjamin Britten. In 1955, Britten hired him again for Let's Make an Opera. This time, it was at the Scala Theatre in London.

In 1958, he played Jaffet in another Britten opera, Noye's Fludde. This opera was about Noah and the Great Flood. Michael realized then that he truly wanted to be an actor. He was advised to change his name. This was to avoid confusion with another person named Michael Ingram.

He performed in many different plays. These included French comedies and plays by Shakespeare. He also appeared in hundreds of BBC radio shows. He was in early BBC soap operas like Billy Bunter of Greyfriary School. He made his film debut in 1958. He starred in two children's films: Blow Your Own Trumpet and Soapbox Derby.

Early Adult Roles and Big Breaks

At 19, Michael played an American character in the film The War Lover (1962). He listened to an American comedian to learn the accent. After this film, he returned to the stage. He then starred in the 1963 British film Two Left Feet.

He was offered a role in the TV series Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life. He played Byron, a tough, motorbike-riding character. This role caught the eye of film director Richard Lester. Lester cast him in The Knack ...and How to Get It in 1965. This film was very successful in the UK. Lester also cast him in the film version of the musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He also appeared in How I Won the War with John Lennon.

Broadway Debut and Hollywood Success

In 1967, Michael made his Broadway debut. He starred in Peter Shaffer's Black Comedy. He showed off his amazing physical comedy skills. While working on this show, Gene Kelly noticed him. Kelly invited him to Hollywood to audition for Hello, Dolly!.

Michael got the part and starred with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau. The movie was one of the highest-earning films of 1969. It won three Academy Awards. It is now seen as one of the greatest musical films ever.

His later films were not as successful. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, where he played the White Rabbit, did fairly well. After this, Michael faced a tough time. He helped his wife with her upholstery business. He also worked as an office clerk. During this period, his marriage ended in 1975.

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em TV Show

Michael was asked to star in a BBC comedy series. It was about a clumsy and accident-prone man. The role of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em was first offered to other actors. But Michael took on the challenge. He played Frank as a childlike character. Michele Dotrice played his long-suffering wife, Betty. The show started in 1973.

Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em quickly became very popular. The show was known for its physical comedy. Michael loved comedians like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. He saw Some Mothers as a chance to use that kind of humor. He performed all his own stunts on the show. He never used a stunt double.

1970s: Musicals and New Challenges

While doing Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Michael was asked to star in the musical Billy. It opened in 1974 in London. This was his first main role on the West End stage. It helped establish him as a singer and performer. The role required singing and dancing. Michael started taking lessons to improve these skills.

Billy was a big hit, running for 904 performances. After Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em ended, Michael continued in theatre. He starred in Flowers for Algernon (1979). He also tried a short-lived TV show called Chalk and Cheese. His fans found it hard to accept him in such a different role. Michael left the show and went back to theatre.

1980s: From Condorman to Phantom

Condorman Film

In 1981, Michael starred in the Disney film Condorman. He played Woody Wilkins, a comic book writer. Woody helps a Russian woman escape while pretending to be his comic book hero, Condorman. Critics did not like the film. They pointed out the special effects were not very good. However, years later, the film gained a cult following among Disney fans.

Barnum Musical

Also in 1981, Michael starred in the London production of Barnum. He played the famous American showman P. T. Barnum. He trained at a circus school in New York City. He learned to walk the tightrope, juggle, and slide down a rope. He even became a qualified gymnastics coach.

Barnum opened in London and ran for 655 shows. Michael won his first Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. The show was very popular, even with the Queen Mother. In 1986, a new production of Barnum with Michael was filmed for television.

The Phantom of the Opera

In 1984, Michael met Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lloyd Webber was working on a new musical, The Phantom of the Opera. He asked Michael if he was interested. The show was still in early stages. Lloyd Webber had first thought of a rock opera style. But the music became more classical.

Michael got the role by chance. He was taking singing lessons with the same coach as Sarah Brightman. Lloyd Webber heard Michael practicing a classical song. He was impressed and hired Michael almost immediately.

Many people doubted Michael could play the role. They still saw him as Frank Spencer. But in 1986, he began his performance in London. He then moved to Broadway in 1988 and Los Angeles in 1989. He played the Phantom for two and a half years. He performed over 1,300 times. He won many awards, including an Olivier Award and a Tony Award.

In 1989, Michael performed "The Music of the Night" for President George H. W. Bush. On 29 April 1990, Michael left the show. He was sad to go. In his final performance, he changed a line to "Christine... I loved you."

1990s: New Roles and Challenges

In 1993, Michael voiced Cornelius in the animated film Once Upon a Forest.

In 1995, he starred in EFX in Las Vegas. This was a huge show. Early in the run, Michael had an accident during a performance. He had to leave the show to recover. This led to an early hip replacement surgery.

In the late 1990s, Michael started a relationship with Natasha MacAller. She is an American dancer and chef.

2000s to Present: Health and Comebacks

In 2001, Michael sang "Baby Mine" from Disney's Dumbo for its 60th anniversary.

He had a short return to Broadway in Dance of the Vampires (2002–03). He then played Count Fosco in The Woman in White in London (2004). He had to leave this show due to illness. He was suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). This condition made him very weak for six years.

He later moved to New Zealand for a short time. This was to recover and be closer to his daughter in Australia.

In 2006, Michael attended a special performance of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. It celebrated the show becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history. He enjoyed seeing the show from the audience for the first time.

In 2010, Michael attended the 10,000th performance of The Phantom of the Opera in London. He shared his memories of the first show.

From 2011 to 2012, Michael played the Wizard in The Wizard of Oz in London. In 2011, he also made a special appearance at The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall. This celebrated 25 years of the show.

In 2016, Michael and Michele Dotrice returned as Frank and Betty Spencer. This was for a one-off special of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. It was part of a charity event called Sport Relief. Michael also starred in the musical The Go-Between in 2016. In 2018, he performed in a 60th anniversary show of Britten's Noye's Fludde. He played the Voice of God.

Music and Albums

In 1987, while starring in The Phantom of the Opera, a song from the musical was released. It featured "The Music of the Night" sung by Michael. It reached number seven in the UK Singles Chart.

That same year, he released an album called Songs from the Stage and Screen. It featured songs from musicals and movies. It reached number 12 in the UK Albums Chart. His version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" was also released as a single.

Other albums followed, including With Love / The Phantom Unmasked (1989) and Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber (1991). His album A Touch of Music in the Night (1993) included a duet of "The Music of the Night" with Barbra Streisand. This song was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Concert Tours

Michael Crawford has performed many concerts. He has toured in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. His first tour was The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1992. In 1998, he started the Michael Crawford: Live In Concert tour in the United States. One of these performances was filmed and shown on TV.

In 2006, he did a small concert tour in Australia and New Zealand. He also performed a benefit concert in Chicago.

Helping Others: Charity Work

Since the late 1980s, Michael has supported many charities. He especially helps charities that benefit children. He is a supporter of the Lighthouse Foundation in Australia. He has also been the President of the Sick Children's Trust since 1987.

Personal Life

Michael Crawford has three children. Two daughters were born during his first marriage to Gabrielle Lewis.

In 2007, he moved to New Zealand for health reasons. He was recovering from myalgic encephalitis. He also wanted to be closer to one of his daughters who lives in Australia.

Awards and Honors

• Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Barnum (1981)
• Awards for his role in The Phantom of the Opera:
  • Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (1986)
  • Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (1988)
  • Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (1988)
  • Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (1988)
  • Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Achievement in Theatre (Lead Performance) (1990)
• Awards for his role as Count Fosco in The Woman in White:
  • Variety Club of Great Britain Award for Outstanding Stage Performance (2004)
  • Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Actor in Supporting Role in a Musical (2004)
• Named Show Business Personality of the Year by the Variety Club of Great Britain
• Voted No. 17 in the 100 Greatest Britons (2002) poll by the BBC
• BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Wizard of Oz (2011)
• Received Aardman Slapstick Visual Comedy Legend Award (2016) for his work in shows like Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em

Michael Crawford was honored by the British Empire. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1988. He was then made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2014. These honors were for his charity work, especially with children's charities.

Filmography

Theatre Performances

Film Appearances

Television Roles

Discography

Solo Albums

Video Albums

Cast Albums

Guest Appearances