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Benny Hill
Age: 68 (passed away Apr. 20th, 1992)
Height: 5' 9 1/2"
Birth Place: Southampton, Hampshire, England, UK (some sources say 1925)
Born: Jan. 21st, 1924
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Benny Hill's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
BIOGRAPHY: He was born Alfred Hawthorn Hill in 1925. It was his grandfather who introduced him to Burlesque Shows and the theatre from where the young Benny Hill was to draw much of his comic inspiration. After his national service with the army during WW2, Benny came to London, adopted the stage name Benny Hill (in homage to his all time favourite comedian Jack Benny) and began appearing in variety shows. He briefly formed a double act with Reg Varney and did radio shows. But it was his talent for impressions and comic timing that were to give him his first big break on TV with the show "Hi There" in 1949. "The Benny Hill Show" (1955) began in 1955. Its pioneering combination of cheeky humour, songs and impressions were to make it a hit for the next 40 years.
Benny also broadened his career with cameo appearances in films such as The Italian Job (1969), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 hours 11 minutes (1965). He also had a hit record in 1971 with "Ernie The Fastest Milkman In The West". In 1979 "The Benny Hill Show" (1955) was shown in America for the first time and Benny went on to become one of the biggest stars on US TV. The show itself has been seen in 109 countries and won a BAFTA as well as Golden Rose Of Montreaux Award. Benny Hill's TV career came to an end in 1989, when his show was dropped, but his popularity continued and he completed a US TV special, Benny Hill's World Tour: New York! (1991) (TV) shortly before his death in 1992.
TRIVIA:
- When Hill died in April 1992, his estate was worth an estimated £10 million. The only will Hill created left his estate to his parents who both died years ago. Next in line were his brother and sister, neither of whom he had a close relationship with, but like his parents are also dead. As a result, Hill's estate was divided among his seven nieces and nephews.
- Died in his favorite chair while watching television.
- Was born on the same day that 'V.I. Lenin' (qv) died.
- Died of a heart attack while sitting in front of his television inside his apartment. He was found by a producer friend of his who had to climb through a window to let police in. Benny was in his pajamas (what he normally wore around his home). Sitting next to him on a small stand was an unsigned contract which Benny was considering to begin a new series with his friend.
- Comedian.
- Related to 'Holly Valance' (qv). His cousin is her grandfather.
- He was the star of Genesis' music video for "Anything She Does" in 1986 (from the "Invisible Touch" album). It was the band's idea to cast him. He played his "Fred Scuttle" character who is the new head of backstage security. Needless to say his incompetence - due mainly to his wandering eye for the ladies (including Page 3 Model Linda Lusardi) - lets all manner of people into the bands dressing room. The video used many of Benny's trademark gags (smoke out of the ears, speed-ed up film..) and a separate, customized, version was shot to use as the opening to the group's world tour.
- His simple but ingenious film-tricks are copied by many, for example "Austin Powers".
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