Sir Norman Wisdom dies aged 95

Monday 4th October 2010, 10:30pm

Norman Wisdom. Copyright: Alan Peebles / BBC

Sir Norman Wisdom, the comic actor who starred in many British comedy films and stage shows, has died aged 95.

The veteran entertainer passed away at The Abbotswood Nursing Home on the Isle of Man in the afternoon. A statement from the home said: "Over the past six months Sir Norman has sustained a series of strokes causing a general decline in both his mental and physical health. He had maintained a degree of independence up until a few days ago. However over the last few days his condition rapidly declined. He was in no pain or distress and peacefully passed away at 18.40. We would appreciate that at this sad time the family be given space and privacy to grieve for their much loved father and grandfather."

The comedian is probably best known for his slapstick film roles, many of which involved him played a character called Norman Pitkin, also known as "The Gump". Charlie Chaplin famously referred to him as his "favourite clown".

Wisdom, who was knighted in 2001, moved into showbiz aged 31 after leaving the Army. Initially the straight man to the magician David Nixon, the gifted physical comedian soon created a distinct look involving a tweed cap and too-tight suit that became his trademark and propelled him to major stardom. Wisdom signed to the Rank Organisation and made 19 box office films during the 1950s and 1960s, beginning with Trouble In Store in 1953. Almost all of these films featured his foolish character defying both fate and his boss Mr Grimsdale to succeed in his quest of wooing a girl.

Following his success in Britain, Wisdom went to the United States in 1966 to star in a Broadway production of the musical comedy Walking Happy, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. He also starred in the Hollywood film The Night They Raided Minsky's, for which he received many favourable reviews. Variety wrote: "So easily does Wisdom dominate his many scenes, other cast members suffer by comparison."

Sir Norman continued to appear on British TV until 2004, including playing the recurring role of Billy Ingleton in Last Of The Summer Wine. Wisdom announced his retirement from the entertainment industry on his 90th birthday (4th February 2005), but still took on a couple of minor film roles after this point. It was confirmed in 2007 that the actor was suffering from vascular dementia, and in 2008 a BBC Two documentary highlighting dementia called 'Wonderland: The Secret Life Of Norman Wisdom Aged 92 And 3/4' revealed that Wisdom's memory loss had become so severe that he no longer recognised himself in his own films.

Interestingly, Wisdom is a cult icon in Albania as he was the only Western actor whose films were deemed politically acceptable by the country's Stalinist rulers during the height of the Cold War.

Wisdom leaves behind two children, Nick and Jacqui. Abbotswood Nursing Home said: "Details of funeral arrangements will be forthcoming as soon as everything has been finalised."

Here is a video biography of the actor from the early 2000s...

BBC Obituary

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