Stanley Baxter facts for kids

Stanley Livingstone Baxter, born on May 24, 1926, is a famous Scottish actor, comedian, and writer. He is known for making people laugh and for his amazing ability to imitate others. Stanley started acting as a child on BBC Scotland. He became very popular for his funny TV shows like The Stanley Baxter Show, The Stanley Baxter Picture Show, and Mr Majeika. He also wrote several books about his hometown, Glasgow.

Stanley Baxter's Early Life and Career

Stanley was born in Glasgow, Scotland. His father worked as an insurance manager. He went to Hillhead High School in Glasgow. His mother helped him learn about acting for the stage. Stanley began acting as a child on a BBC radio show called Children's Hour in Scotland.

He improved his acting skills while serving in the British Army. He worked with other talented people like comedian Kenneth Williams and director John Schlesinger. After World War II, Stanley returned to Glasgow. He performed on stage for three years at Glasgow's Citizens' Theatre.

He became successful on the radio with Jimmy Logan. Then, he was invited to star in pantomime shows. These were at the Theatre Royal and the Alhambra Theatre in Glasgow. In 1959, he moved to London to work in television.

In 1969, Stanley performed in a play called What the Butler Saw. This play was in London's West End. He worked with famous actors like Sir Ralph Richardson. Stanley was a favorite in Scottish pantomimes. He performed at the King's Theatre in Glasgow until he retired in 1992. He often starred with popular Scottish actors Jimmy Logan and Una McLean.

Stanley Baxter on Radio

During the 1960s, Stanley Baxter had his own show on BBC Radio Scotland. In 1994, he returned to radio. He played the role of Noël Coward in a BBC World Service play. He also read stories like Whisky Galore for BBC Radio. He did all the different character voices himself.

After being retired for a while, Stanley appeared in a new radio show in 2004. It was a series of funny shows for BBC Radio 4 called Stanley Baxter and Friends. This show was very popular. It led to more series like The Stanley Baxter Playhouse. He also worked with Richard Briers on a show called Two Pipe Problems.

In 2009, Eddie Izzard presented a show about Stanley's life on BBC Radio 2. More episodes of 'Playhouse' started airing on BBC Radio 4 in 2018.

Stanley Baxter's Television Career

Stanley Baxter was famous for his impressions of well-known people. He was especially known for imitating The Queen. His show The Stanley Baxter Show was on BBC One from 1963 to 1971. Then, The Stanley Baxter Picture Show aired on ITV from 1972 to 1975. The six-part Stanley Baxter Series was made in 1981. He also made eight one-hour TV specials between 1973 and 1986.

Stanley appeared as a guest on The Goodies. Later, he played the main character in Mr Majeika. This was a children's show based on books by Humphrey Carpenter. Stanley played a magic teacher who was sent away from the wizard land. He said that he only took the role in the children's show for money. He had wanted to retire after his big shows were canceled.

In Bing Crosby's last Christmas special in 1977, Stanley played many different roles. These included a butler and a cook. He even played the ghost of Bob Hope's ancestor in one funny part. After retiring in 1990, Stanley came back for a special Christmas show in 2008 for ITV. This show included old clips and new material. Other comedians talked about how Stanley had influenced them.

Stanley Baxter in Films

Stanley Baxter appeared in several films. These include Geordie (1955) and Very Important Person (1961). He also starred in The Fast Lady (1962), Crooks Anonymous (1962), and Father Came Too! (1963). He was in the last four films with James Robertson Justice. Stanley also did voice work for the animated movie The Thief and the Cobbler (1995).

Stanley Baxter's Books

Stanley Baxter has written several books. These books are based on the unique language and humor of Glasgow. He developed this style in his famous 'Parliamo Glasgow' sketch.

• Bedside Book of Glasgow Humour ISBN: 978-0094672703
• Parliamo Glasgow Omnibus ISBN: 978-1841587745
• Let's Parliamo Glasgow Again – Merrorapattur ISBN: 978-0862280734
• Stanley Baxter's Suburban Shocker : Featuring Rosemary Morningside and the Garrulous Glaswegian Mr. Ballhead

Stanley Baxter's Personal Life

Stanley Baxter grew up in the West End of Glasgow. He lived in a tenement building from age five. He stayed there until he married actress Moira Robertson when he was 26. Later, he lived in Highgate, North London.

In August 2014, Stanley was one of 200 public figures. They signed a letter to The Guardian newspaper. They hoped that Scotland would vote to stay part of the United Kingdom. This was for the 2014 Scottish independence referendum in September.

Stanley Baxter has always kept his personal life very private. His official biography talks about how he wanted to keep his life out of the public eye.

Stanley Baxter's Awards

• BAFTA Award for Light Entertainment Artist (1960)
• BAFTA Award for Light Entertainment Performance (1975) for the Stanley Baxter Moving Picture Show
• BAFTA Scotland Award for Outstanding Contribution (2020)
• Lifetime Achievement Award (British Comedy Awards) (1997)
• Oldie Camper of the Year – For continuing to endear and delight his audiences with original comic material by The Oldie magazine (2008)

Stanley was offered an OBE award, but he chose not to accept it.

Stanley Baxter's DVD Releases

All six of Stanley Baxter's hour-long ITV specials were released on DVD in 2005. This was a two-disc set called The Stanley Baxter Collection. In 2006, another two-disc DVD set was released. It was titled The Stanley Baxter Series & Picture Show. This set included both of his half-hour series for ITV.

In 2008, a five-disc DVD box set came out. It was called The Stanley Baxter Television Set. This set has both of the half-hour ITV series. It also includes six of his ITV specials. The set also features two of the films he made with James Robertson Justice: The Fast Lady and Father Came Too!.

List of Stanley Baxter's Appearances

Stanley Baxter TV Series

• The Stanley Baxter Show (BBC, 22 x 30-minutes, 1963–71)
• Baxter On... (BBC, 1964)
• Time For Baxter (BBC Scotland, 1972)
• The Stanley Baxter Picture Show (LWT – four x 30-minutes, 1972)
• The Stanley Baxter Series (LWT – six x 30-minutes, 1981)

Stanley Baxter TV Specials

• The Stanley Baxter Big Picture Show (LWT – 21 December 1973)
• The Stanley Baxter Scots Picture Show (STV – 1 January 1974)
• The Stanley Baxter Moving Picture Show (LWT – 7 September 1974)
• The Best of Baxter (LWT – 14 December 1974)
• The Stanley Baxter Show Part III (LWT – 19 September 1975)
• Stanley Baxter's Christmas Box (LWT – 26 December 1976)
• Stanley Baxter's Greatest Hits (LWT – 26 December 1977)
• Stanley Baxter on Television (LWT – 1 April 1979)
• The Stanley Baxter Hour (LWT – 24 December 1982)
• Stanley Baxter's Christmas Hamper (BBC, 1985)
• Stanley Baxter's Television Annual (BBC, 1986)
• Stanley Baxter is Back (C4, 1995)
• Stanley Baxter in Reel Terms (C4, 1996)
• Stanley Baxter in Person (Carlton, 1998)
• Stanley Baxter Now and Then (ITV, 2008)

Other TV Appearances

• Shop Window (BBC, 1952)
• This is Scotland (STV, 1957)
• On The Bright Side (BBC, 1960)
• Comedy Playhouse: "Lunch in the Park" (BBC, 1961)
• Espionage (BBC, 1963 Guest Appearance)
• Wednesday Play: "The Confidence Course" (BBC, 1965)
• Christmas Night with the Stars (BBC, 1970, Guest Appearance)
• The Goodies (BBC, 1971 Guest Appearance)
• A Grand Tour (STV, 1974)
• Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas (CBS/ITC Entertainment, 1977 Guest Appearances as multiple characters)
• Mr Majeika (Television South, 1988–90, Title Role)
• Rab C. Nesbitt (BBC, 1991, Guest Appearance)
• Arabian Knight (Animation, 1995, Voice Only)
• Meeow (Animation, 2000, Voice Only)
• The Unforgettable...Kenneth Williams (Carlton, 2001, Interviewee)
• The Sketch Show Story (BBC, 2001, Interviewee)
• EX:SThis is Stanley Baxter (BBC, 2001 75th Birthday Documentary)
• Return of the Goodies (BBC, 2005, Interviewee)
• The Story of Light Entertainment (BBC, 2006, Interviewee)
• Comedy Map of Britain (BBC, 2007, Interviewee)
• Happy Birthday BAFTA (2007, Guest)
• The Comedy Christmas (2007, Interviewee)
• Artwork Scotland:When Alan Cumming met Stanley Baxter (2010)
• The Many Faces of Stanley Baxter (2013)
• Scottish Television Hogmanay shows (1980s and 1990s)
  • Road To Londonderry
• The Undiscovered Kenneth Williams (Associated-Rediffusion/Sky Arts, 2018, Interviewee)
• Comedy National Treasures: Stanley Baxter (Associated-Rediffusion/Channel 5, 2019, Subject/Interviewee)

Films

• Geordie (Film, 1955)
• Very Important Person (Rank, 1961)
• The Fast Lady (Rank, 1962)
• Crooks Anonymous (Film, 1962)
• Father Came Too! (Rank, 1963)
• Joey Boy (Film, 1965)
• The Thief and the Cobbler (Animation, Voice Only, 1993)