Tommy Cooper facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tommy Cooper
Cooper, c. 1982
Born	Thomas Frederick Cooper (1921-03-19)19 March 1921 Caerphilly, Glamorgan, Wales
Died	15 April 1984(1984-04-15) (aged 63) London, England
Occupation	Comedian magician
Years active	1947–1984
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Spouse(s)	Gwen Henty ​ (m. 1947)​
Children	2, including Thomas

Thomas Frederick Cooper (born March 19, 1921 – died April 15, 1984) was a famous Welsh comedian and magician. He was very tall, standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), and often wore a red fez during his shows. He was known for his unique comedy style, especially his magic tricks that seemed to go wrong on purpose. Tommy Cooper became very popular on television. Sadly, he died at age 63 during a live TV show.

Tommy Cooper: A Funny Magician

Early Life and Magic Beginnings

Thomas Frederick Cooper was born in Caerphilly, Glamorgan, Wales, on March 19, 1921. His father was a soldier and later a coal miner, and his mother was from England. When Tommy was three, his family moved to Exeter, England. This is where he picked up the West Country accent that became part of his act.

When he was eight years old, his aunt gave him a magic set. He spent many hours practicing the tricks. Later, his brother David opened a magic shop. After school, Tommy worked as a shipwright in Southampton.

Becoming a Soldier

In 1940, at the start of World War II, Tommy joined the British Army. He served for seven years. He was part of Montgomery's famous Desert Rats in Egypt. While in the army, he joined an entertainment group. This is where he started mixing his magic tricks with comedy.

The Famous Fez

One night in Cairo, Tommy forgot a prop for his act. He was supposed to wear a special helmet. Instead, he quickly borrowed a fez from a waiter nearby. The audience found it hilarious! From that day on, he always wore a fez when he performed. It became a famous part of his comedy.

How His Act Developed

After leaving the army in 1947, Tommy decided to become a full-time entertainer. He created a popular comedy story about his time as a soldier. He worked in many theaters and nightclubs, sometimes doing over 50 shows in one week!

Tommy was a skilled magician and even joined The Magic Circle, a group for top magicians. However, he became famous for his "failed" magic tricks. People loved watching his tricks go wrong in funny ways. Sometimes, he would surprise the audience by making a trick actually work, just to keep them guessing!

His Amazing Career

Tommy Cooper was inspired by other great comedians like Laurel and Hardy and Bob Hope. In 1947, he got his first big chance to perform. He spent two years touring Europe and even played one of Cinderella's ugly sisters in a pantomime show.

He quickly became a top performer in variety shows. But it was his work on television that made him a household name. He first appeared on BBC in 1948. For almost 40 years, he starred in his own shows, especially with London Weekend Television and Thames Television. By the mid-1970s, he was one of the most recognizable comedians in the world.

Tommy was known for being very careful with money. One of his funny tricks was to pay the exact taxi fare. Then, as he left, he would slip something into the driver's pocket and say, "Have a drink on me." That "something" would turn out to be a tea bag!

His Final Performance

On April 15, 1984, Tommy Cooper was performing live on the TV show Live from Her Majesty's. He was on stage at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. During his act, he suddenly collapsed. The audience laughed, thinking it was part of his comedy routine. Even his assistant thought it was a joke at first.

But soon, people backstage realized something was seriously wrong. The show's director quickly told the orchestra to play music for a commercial break. While the show continued with other performers, paramedics were called. Tommy was taken to the hospital, but he had died from a heart attack. His death was a shock to millions of viewers.

Tommy Cooper's funeral was held in London. His son scattered his ashes in the garden, over his father's favorite daffodils. Videos of his final performance have been shared online, leading to discussions about showing such moments.

Family Life

Tommy Cooper married Gwen Henty in Cyprus on February 24, 1947. They had two children, a son named Thomas and a daughter named Victoria. Their son, Thomas, became an actor. Gwen passed away in 2002.

In 2018, a TV show called Tommy Cooper: In His Own Words was broadcast. Tommy's daughter, Vicky, gave her first television interview for the show.

His Legacy and Tributes

Statue of Cooper near Caerphilly Castle

Tommy Cooper is still remembered and honored today. In 2008, a statue of him was put up in his hometown of Caerphilly. Sir Anthony Hopkins, a famous actor, helped unveil the statue.

Many comedians and people in comedy consider Tommy Cooper one of the greatest comedy acts ever. He has influenced many modern comedians. There have been stage shows and plays created to honor him, like Jus' Like That! A Night Out with Tommy Cooper.

In 2012, the British Heart Foundation used Tommy Cooper's image and jokes in advertisements to raise awareness about heart conditions. In 2014, a TV drama called Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This was made about his life.

In 2016, a blue plaque was placed on his former home in Chiswick, London, to remember him. Also, the Victoria and Albert Museum bought many of his papers and props, including his detailed joke files. In 2021, on what would have been his 100th birthday, the BBC aired a documentary about his best performances.

Filmography

Recordings

• "Don't Jump Off the Roof Dad" (1961)
• "Ginger"
• "Happy Tommy"
• "Just Like That"
• "Masters of Comedy"
• "No Arms Will Ever Hold You"
• "Sweet Words of Love"
• "Tommy Cooper Very Best Of"
• "Walkin' Home From School"
• "We'll Meet Again"

Images for kids

• 

  Clive Mantle as Tommy Cooper

See also

In Spanish: Tommy Cooper para niños