Norman Wisdom facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Norman Wisdom
Wisdom in 1965
Birth name	Norman Joseph Wisdom
Born	(1915-02-04)4 February 1915 Marylebone, London, England
Died	4 October 2010(2010-10-04) (aged 95) Ballasalla, Isle of Man
Resting place	Kirk Bride Churchyard, Bride, Isle of Man
Medium	Comedian actor singer
Years active	1946–2008
Spouse	Doreen Brett ​ ​ (m. 1941; div. 1946)​ Freda Simpson ​ ​ (m. 1947; div. 1969)​
Children	3, including Nicholas Wisdom
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Merchant Navy British Army
Years of service	1930–1946
Unit	10th Royal Hussars Royal Corps of Signals
Battles/wars	Second World War

Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom (born 4 February 1915 – died 4 October 2010) was a famous English actor, comedian, musician, and singer. He was best known for his funny films made between 1953 and 1966. In these movies, he often played a clumsy character named Norman Pitkin.

Norman Wisdom became very popular in many countries. These included places like South America, Iran, and countries in Eastern Europe. He was especially loved in Albania, where his films were almost the only ones with Western actors allowed. The famous comedian Charlie Chaplin even called Wisdom his "favourite clown."

Later in his career, Norman Wisdom performed on Broadway in New York City. He also became a successful television actor. He received praise for his serious role as a dying patient in the TV play Going Gently in 1981. He toured in Australia and South Africa. In 1995, he was given the Freedom of the City of London and of Tirana, Albania. He was also awarded the OBE that same year. Five years later, he was made a knight, which means he was given the title "Sir."

Early Life

Norman Joseph Wisdom was born in Marylebone, London. His father, Frederick, was a driver, and his mother, Maud, was a dressmaker. She even made a dress for Queen Mary. Norman and his older brother, Fred, grew up in extreme poverty.

The family lived in one room at 91 Fernhead Road in London. After spending some time in a children's home, Norman ran away when he was 11. He returned later to work as an errand boy at a grocer's shop after leaving school at 13. His father kicked him out of their home, so Norman became homeless. He slept on the streets of London. In 1929, he walked all the way to Cardiff, Wales. There, he became a cabin boy in the Merchant Navy. He also worked as a waiter and page in hotels. These jobs provided him with a place to sleep and food.

Military Service

Norman Wisdom first joined the King's Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster). However, his mother had him discharged because he was too young. He later joined again as a drummer boy in the 10th Royal Hussars. In 1930, he was sent to Lucknow, India, as a bandsman.

While in the army, he rode horses and became the flyweight boxing champion of the British Army in India. He also taught himself to play many instruments. These included the piano, trumpet, saxophone, flute, drums, bugle, and clarinet.

When the Second World War started, Wisdom worked in a communications center in London. He connected phone calls for war leaders to the prime minister. He met Winston Churchill several times. Wisdom then joined the Royal Corps of Signals. He did similar work at the unit headquarters in Cheltenham.

Norman discovered his talent for entertaining while doing a shadow boxing routine in an army gym. He began to develop his skills as a musician and stage entertainer. In 1940, at age 25, he was performing at a NAAFI entertainment night. During a dance routine, he stepped out of the orchestra pit and started shadow boxing. When his colleagues and officers laughed, he began to do a funny duck waddle and make silly faces. He said they were "in hysterics."

Wisdom later said this was when he first created his famous character, "The Successful Failure." For the next few years, until 1945, his act included his unique singing and his famous trip-and-stumble moves. After a charity concert in 1944, the actor Rex Harrison told him he should become a professional entertainer.

Comic Entertainer

After leaving the army, Norman Wisdom worked as a private hire car driver. He also took a job as a night telephone operator.

Wisdom made his debut as a professional entertainer at 31. He still called himself "The Successful Failure." In small music halls, he created an act based on his shyness, his ability to fall, and his musical talents. He would pretend to struggle with the band changing keys, then surprise everyone with his skill. One review in 1946 called him "an unusual and most versatile comedian." He quickly became very popular.

By Christmas 1948, he was starring in a pantomime called "Robinson Crusoe." Wisdom had already started wearing his trademark costume: a tweed flat cap tilted with the peak up, a suit that was too small, a crumpled collar, and a messy tie. This character, known as the Gump, became central to his film career.

Wisdom first appeared on TV in 1948. He soon had many viewers and a small film role in A Date with a Dream that same year.

Starring Film Roles

Norman Wisdom made many popular comedy films for the Rank Organisation. His first starring role was in Trouble in Store (1953). This film helped him win a BAFTA Award in 1954 for Most Promising Newcomer. It was also the second most popular film in Britain in 1954.

His films were cheerful and simple. They were very popular with audiences in Britain. Wisdom's movies were some of the biggest box-office hits of their time. They also did well in unexpected places overseas. This helped the Rank Organisation financially.

The films usually featured his "Gump" character, often named Norman. He would have a manual job he wasn't very good at. He often worked under a serious boss, like Edward Chapman (as Mr Grimsdale) or Jerry Desmonde. Wisdom was great at physical slapstick comedy. He could also show how helpless his character felt. The films often included a romantic story. Norman's innocent clumsiness made him charming to the heroines.

His second film, One Good Turn (1955), was the seventh most popular movie in Britain that year. He was the 6th most popular star in 1955.

Wisdom played a window cleaner in Up in the World (1956) and worked in a jewelry store in Just My Luck (1957). While some films had less success, The Square Peg (1959), an army comedy, was a huge hit. It was the 7th most popular movie in 1959.

He continued to make films like Follow a Star (1959) and The Bulldog Breed (1960). He was still one of the top 10 biggest stars in Britain. Films like On the Beat (1962) and A Stitch in Time (1963) brought him back to his popular character.

The Early Bird (1965) was his first color film, where he played a milkman. His last film in this series was Press for Time (1966). Wisdom was still voted the 5th most popular star at the British box office.

Norman Wisdom also wrote some songs for his stage shows. Some of his songs include "Don't Laugh at Me ('cause I'm a Fool)" and "Follow a Star."

Later Career

Norman Wisdom demonstrating a typical expression (1965)

In 1966, Norman Wisdom went to the United States. He starred in a Broadway musical called Walking Happy. His performance earned him a nomination for a Tony Award.

This led to his first Hollywood film, The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968). He also appeared in a US TV musical of George Bernard Shaw's Androcles and The Lion (1967).

After his second wife left him, he returned to London. His career then focused mostly on television. He toured the world with a successful cabaret act. In 1981, he received praise for his serious role in the TV play Going Gently.

Norman Wisdom was considered for the role of Frank Spencer in the TV show Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em. However, he turned it down.

On 31 December 1976, Wisdom sang his theme song "Don't Laugh at Me ('cause I'm a Fool)" on BBC1. This was part of a show celebrating British pop music for Queen Elizabeth II's upcoming Silver Jubilee. Wisdom had performed for the Queen many times.

After touring South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Australia, he appeared less often in Britain. He spent much of the 1980s living quietly on the Isle of Man.

Wisdom's career became popular again in the 1990s. This was partly due to the young comedian Lee Evans, whose act was similar to Wisdom's. The highlight of this new popularity was his knighthood in 2000. He was honored for his services to entertainment. During the ceremony, after receiving his knighthood, he did his famous trip-and-stumble, which made the Queen smile and laugh.

From 1995 to 2004, he played Billy Ingleton in the BBC comedy Last of the Summer Wine.

In 1996, he received a Special Achievement Award from the London Film Critics.

In 2002, Norman Wisdom filmed a small role as a butler in a horror film. In 2004, he appeared on Coronation Street, playing an old fitness fan named Ernie Crabbe. In 2007, he came out of retirement for a role in a short film called Expresso.

Popularity in Albania

Norman Wisdom was very famous in Albania. His films were some of the only Western movies allowed in the country under the leader Enver Hoxha. Hoxha believed that Norman's character, who struggled against rich people like Mr Grimsdale, showed the working class winning against capitalism. He was known as Mr Pitkin there.

In 1995, he visited Albania. To his surprise, many fans greeted him, including the President, Sali Berisha. During this trip, he was filmed visiting a children's project.

On a visit in 2001, he appeared at a training ground for the England football team in Tirana. His presence was more exciting than even David Beckham's! He walked onto the field before the Albania vs. England match wearing a half-Albanian, half-English football shirt. The crowd cheered loudly, especially when he did his famous trip on his way to the center circle. In 1995, Wisdom was made an honorary citizen of Tirana.

Retirement

Wisdom in Peel, Isle of Man, in 2005

In October 2004, Norman Wisdom announced he would retire from entertainment on his 90th birthday (4 February 2005). He said he wanted to spend more time with his family, play golf, and drive around the Isle of Man, where he lived.

In 2007, Wisdom returned to acting in a short film called Expresso. He later said this would be his last film role. The movie is set in a coffee shop and was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. It was later released on DVD to raise money for the Macmillan charity.

In the film, Wisdom played a vicar bothered by a fly in a café. The producer gave him a role with no lines to remember. However, on the day of filming, Wisdom was very sharp. They changed his performance to add more funny moments.

Personal Life

Norman Wisdom was married twice. His first wife was Doreen Brett, whom he married in 1941. They divorced in 1946.

He married his second wife, Freda Isobel Simpson, in 1947. They had two children: Nicholas (born 1953) and Jacqueline (born 1954). Nicholas later played first-class cricket. Norman and Freda divorced in 1969. Norman was given full care of the children.

He lived for 27 years in a house on the Isle of Man called Ballalough. He supported many charities, including orphanages in Albania. In 2005, Wisdom appeared in a music video for a local girl group called Twisted Angels.

Interests

Wisdom was a lifelong fan and former board member of the football team Brighton & Hove Albion. He also liked Everton and Newcastle United. He enjoyed golf and was a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, a show business charity.

He loved cars and had a collection of them. This included a 1956 Bentley and a Shelby Cobra 427. He also owned a 1987 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit and a Jaguar S-Type. He drove until his age and health meant he could no longer pass a driving test.

In 1963, he bought a new motor yacht. It was 94 feet (29 m) long and was named M/Y Conquest. He later sold it, saying he was "no sailor."

Health Decline

In mid-2006, Norman Wisdom had an irregular heart rhythm. He was flown to a hospital in Liverpool and had a heart pacemaker fitted.

From July 2007, Wisdom lived in a nursing home in Ballasalla, Isle of Man.

When his film Expresso was released on DVD, BBC News confirmed that Wisdom was living in a care home. This was because he suffered from vascular dementia, which affects memory. His children were selling his homes to pay for his long-term care.

In January 2008, a documentary called Wonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 and 3/4 aired. It showed the challenges of caring for an elderly parent. His family said that Wisdom's memory loss was so severe that he no longer recognized himself in his own films.

Death

In the six months before he died, Norman Wisdom had several strokes. This caused his physical and mental health to get worse. He passed away on 4 October 2010, at the age of 95, at the nursing home in Ballasalla.

His funeral was held on 22 October 2010 in Douglas, Isle of Man. Everyone on the island was invited. His famous cloth cap was placed on his coffin in the church. Many famous people from show business attended the funeral. At Wisdom's request, Moira Anderson sang "Who Can I Turn To." Norman Wisdom was buried at Kirk Bride Churchyard, Bride, Isle of Man.

Filmography

Box Office Ranking

For many years, British movie theaters voted Norman Wisdom one of the most popular stars in the country:

• 1954 – 10th most popular star (3rd most popular British star)
• 1955 – 6th most popular star (3rd most popular British star)
• 1956 – 5th biggest British star
• 1957 – 9th most popular star (5th most popular British star)
• 1958 – 7th most popular British star
• 1959 – 3rd most popular British star
• 1963 – 10th most popular star
• 1966 – 5th most popular star

Audio Recordings

• I Would Like to Put on Record
• Jingle Jangle
• The Very Best of Norman Wisdom
• Androcles and the Lion US Television, Original Cast Recording.
• Where's Charley? London Cast Recording.
• Wisdom of a Fool
• Nobody's Fool
• Follow a Star
• 1957 Original Chart Hits
• Walking Happy Original Broadway Cast Recording.
• The Night They Raided Minsky's Motion Picture Soundtrack recording.
• Follow a Star/Give Me a Night in June
• Happy Ending/The Wisdom of a Fool
• Big in Albania – One Hit Wonderland
• They Didn't Believe Me

Books

• Lucky Little Devil: Norman Wisdom on the Island He's Made His Home (2004)
• Norman Wisdom, William Hall (2003). My Turn. Arrow Books. ISBN 978-0-09-944676-7.
• Don't Laugh at Me, Cos I'm a Fool (1992) (two books about his life)
• Trouble in Store (1991)

Images for kids

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  Wisdom in 1965

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  Norman Wisdom demonstrating a typical expression (1965)

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  Wisdom in Peel, Isle of Man, in 2005

See also

In Spanish: Norman Wisdom para niños