Norman Wisdom
Birthday:
4 February 1915, Marylebone, London, England, UK
Birth Name:
Norman Joseph Wisdom
Height:
157 cm
Norman Wisdom has become the great British clown very much in the mould of Charles Chaplin with his "little man" in the ill fitting suit and cloth cap. His character is "everyman", much put upon but struggling through to a (usually) happy ending. He was brought up in an orphanage after his mother died and his father disowned him...
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Norman Wisdom has become the great British clown very much in the mould of Charles Chaplin with his "little man" in the ill fitting suit and cloth cap. His character is "everyman", much put upon but struggling through to a (usually) happy ending. He was brought up in an orphanage after his mother died and his father disowned him. He joined the army where he discovered that his performing ability was appreciated. He has worked variously on stage and screen since 1952. His theme song has become "Don't laugh at me, ('cause I'm a fool)" from the film 'Trouble in Store (1953)'. Show less «
I can never tell a joke, I've always found it easier to just fall over
I can never tell a joke, I've always found it easier to just fall over
"Mr Grimsdale!" (catch phrase when things went wrong)
"Mr Grimsdale!" (catch phrase when things went wrong)
I had a great day filming Expresso (2007), every minute was worth an hour.
I had a great day filming Expresso (2007), every minute was worth an hour.
It was absolutely thrilling to meet Laurel and Hardy, they were so nice.
It was absolutely thrilling to meet Laurel and Hardy, they were so nice.
It was smashing working with Jerry Desmonde, he was a very nice chap.
It was smashing working with Jerry Desmonde, he was a very nice chap.
At my age, the radiation will probably do me good.
At my age, the radiation will probably do me good.
I don't know nothing about communism. But I know the Albanians loved me. Same reason as anyone else loves me. Because I made them laugh.
I don't know nothing about communism. But I know the Albanians loved me. Same reason as anyone else loves me. Because I made them laugh.
I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were very sorry.
I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were very sorry.
Such is life and life is such and after all it isn't much. First a cradle. Then a hearse. It might have been better, but it could have been ...Show more »
Such is life and life is such and after all it isn't much. First a cradle. Then a hearse. It might have been better, but it could have been worse. Show less «
As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.
As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two.
I like consistency. If you've had a childhood like mine, you want some things you can rely on to stay the same.
I like consistency. If you've had a childhood like mine, you want some things you can rely on to stay the same.
But no, I've just been very lucky. But I've worked hard, and the harder you work, the luckier you seem to get.
But no, I've just been very lucky. But I've worked hard, and the harder you work, the luckier you seem to get.
I was in the band as a boy and was taught music and learned to compose.
I was in the band as a boy and was taught music and learned to compose.
My comedy is for children from three to 93. You do need a slightly childish sense of humour and if you haven't got that, it's very sad.
My comedy is for children from three to 93. You do need a slightly childish sense of humour and if you haven't got that, it's very sad.
I was born in London, and went to school in Scotland - I used to be dead tired when I got home at night.
I was born in London, and went to school in Scotland - I used to be dead tired when I got home at night.
I've got one idea I want to do for a film and you know I just enjoy myself doing bits and pieces.
I've got one idea I want to do for a film and you know I just enjoy myself doing bits and pieces.
I owe everything to the army.
I owe everything to the army.
You know I've got a chum, a smashing mate, he's got a dog with no legs, and he calls it a cigarette. It's true, yeah, because at nighttime h...Show more »
You know I've got a chum, a smashing mate, he's got a dog with no legs, and he calls it a cigarette. It's true, yeah, because at nighttime he has to take it out for a drag. Show less «
All my boyhood, all I ever wanted was to be loved.
All my boyhood, all I ever wanted was to be loved.
I used to first go on to entertain an audience. But now I go, and this is really true - I go on to have fun with a crowd of my chums.
I used to first go on to entertain an audience. But now I go, and this is really true - I go on to have fun with a crowd of my chums.
I play drums, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, piano.
I play drums, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, piano.
I've done seven shows at the Palladium - long running shows I'm talking about.
I've done seven shows at the Palladium - long running shows I'm talking about.
There are people who like just ordinary comedy fun, and making mistakes - which I do easily - and then there are people who like the falling...Show more »
There are people who like just ordinary comedy fun, and making mistakes - which I do easily - and then there are people who like the falling over. Show less «
You see I'm semi-retired now and don't work all the time, only most of it!
You see I'm semi-retired now and don't work all the time, only most of it!
I've always had a sense of humour, and I still do, so I just want to go on performing as long as I can. It's as simple as that.
I've always had a sense of humour, and I still do, so I just want to go on performing as long as I can. It's as simple as that.
I'm still constantly thinking of ideas. I don't feel 90. I think I'm about 12.
I'm still constantly thinking of ideas. I don't feel 90. I think I'm about 12.
I do play drums when I'm on tour.
I do play drums when I'm on tour.
I've been extremely lucky having been in the army when I was a boy of fourteen.
I've been extremely lucky having been in the army when I was a boy of fourteen.
My only phobia is untidiness. My hair has to be neatly kept; my shoes are always clean. Everything has to be in a straight line, in its plac...Show more »
My only phobia is untidiness. My hair has to be neatly kept; my shoes are always clean. Everything has to be in a straight line, in its place. Show less «
Well if I was going to describe my audience, it's going to take longer than you'd ever expect, hundreds of years in fact, because there's ma...Show more »
Well if I was going to describe my audience, it's going to take longer than you'd ever expect, hundreds of years in fact, because there's many of them, all over the world. Show less «
I must admit I like to muck around a bit; I always have.
I must admit I like to muck around a bit; I always have.
Of course I've done musicals here in London.
Of course I've done musicals here in London.
I believe in physical comedy, because that reaches out most to people.
I believe in physical comedy, because that reaches out most to people.
I have a folder where I keep all the articles the critics have written about me. It makes me feel good.
I have a folder where I keep all the articles the critics have written about me. It makes me feel good.
I've been making people laugh for 40 years, so I know how important it is!
I've been making people laugh for 40 years, so I know how important it is!
Most of my comedies were low on budgets - certainly by American standards.
Most of my comedies were low on budgets - certainly by American standards.
What I like doing most is making children laugh.
What I like doing most is making children laugh.
When you're as famous as I am, stories take on a life of their own.
When you're as famous as I am, stories take on a life of their own.
Don't get me wrong: I'm overjoyed with my career to date. But perhaps I could have done more. Mostly, I just did whatever the directors told...Show more »
Don't get me wrong: I'm overjoyed with my career to date. But perhaps I could have done more. Mostly, I just did whatever the directors told me to do. Show less «
My father used to be away for months at a time, and he'd never leave any money for food, so my brother and I had to go out and nick it.
My father used to be away for months at a time, and he'd never leave any money for food, so my brother and I had to go out and nick it.
In fact, one was so booked out we went from March and were to go till November, but the pantomime was booked so they transferred the show to...Show more »
In fact, one was so booked out we went from March and were to go till November, but the pantomime was booked so they transferred the show to the Prince of Wales Theatre because it was so packed out, and it ran on from there. Show less «
Years ago, there was a variety theatre in every British town, and people paid to go down and see it. Comedy was the main part of the theatre...Show more »
Years ago, there was a variety theatre in every British town, and people paid to go down and see it. Comedy was the main part of the theatre, and comedians earned a living by being funny. Now you have comedy in television instead. Comedians now have to be funny within a play. Show less «
I've an idea for doing a Situation Comedy myself but its always difficult to get people to listen to you because they like to put their own ...Show more »
I've an idea for doing a Situation Comedy myself but its always difficult to get people to listen to you because they like to put their own ideas forward. Show less «
I still regard myself as a short-arse who's been lucky, although I've worked for it.
I still regard myself as a short-arse who's been lucky, although I've worked for it.
Norman Wisdom's Photos
