Benny Hill was born Alfred Hawthorn Hill in Southampton, United Kingdom on the 21st January 1925. His family were lower middle class. Benny's father was the manager of a local medical appliance company. Hill was attracted to the stage early in his life and saw many live stage shows at the two variety theatres in Southhampton. He remembered seeing Max Miller at the variety theatres and thinking how wonderful it was how all the women used to laugh it him - Benny thought 'That's for me'! He began performing as a Comedian in the Army Service, but apart from that he had worked in both Woolworths and as a Milkman, of which the latter would be of special importance some 30 years later! After demobilisation, Hill began working in variety theatre where he slowly learned his craft. In 1956 Hill starred in the feature film comedy Who Done It ?(Ealing Studios). Hill starred as a hapless, bungling private detective. The film was only mildly funny although Hill did display touches of the comic slapstick and characterisation that were to become part of his genius. However the film was only moderately successful and did nothing to further Hill's career. Instead it was in the new medium of television that Hill was to shine.
Benny Hill really started to become a popular entertainer when he had his own show on BBC Television, which lasted for some years from as early as 1955. It was in 1969 when Benny signed a contract with Thames Television that he came immensly well-known for his very popular and highly rated Television Specials, of which several were made each year. Benny's association with Thames Television was to to last 22 years, when including the years previous to the beginning of his 1969 contract.
The show was at the height of it's popularity in the 1970's and pleasing DVD's called 'The Benny Hill Annual' are now on sale in the UK, highlighting the most memorbale shows from the era. Benny was of course joined by his usual sidekicks including Jackie Wright, Bob Todd and Henry McGee, to name only a few. Benny also had his own bevy of beauties. 'Hill's Angels' was their collective name and they included Sue Upton and Louise English, again, to name only a few!
By the 1980's Benny's shows were being shown Worldwide! Benny was particularly popular in the USA as Benny's brand of humour was definitive of that of America's men!
By the late 1980's, Benny began to get a lot of criticism for being 'Sexist' and 'Racist'. Critics couldn't be further from the truth. Benny was actually letting the Women up satge the Men! After all, did any of them end the sketch with the Girl? Plus, don't forget, Benny's classic Chinese Character! Benny wasn't being racist he was actually letting the Chinese Man say what he though about the English! Remember the catchphrase: 'Stupid Irriet!' (Stupid Idiot) - this was actually usually directed at the 'Straight Man' - Henry McGee, so it couldn't possbly be racist!
Sadly in 1989, the show was cancelled. Benny was called in to the Thames Television offices and 'Sacked like a Schoolboy'. From then on it was a 3 year, fast downhill decline. Benny did several interviews and TV appearances and filmed on final special from New York in 1991, but sadly Died in Teddington, London, on the 19th April 1992.
Benny Hill left behind a legacy of great comedy. His efforts to a much more modern World of Silent Films was highly respected not long prior to his death, he recieved the Charlie Chaplin International Award for Comedy, 1991. This made Benny shed a few tears. Plus, he got the chance to see Chaplin's office and house and was so very proud when he new that Charlie had spent his final years watching Benny Hill specials. Their were loads of videos in his house that said 'Benny Hill'. Benny was highly influenced by classic Comedy legends such as Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton, but to Benny, Chaplin was the King and receiving the Chaplin award was very likely the highlight of his life, as Benny never married or had children.
When Benny Hill died, a national treasure was lost.
'Poor old Ernie! (Ernie) And he drove the fastest Milkcart in the West'!
