Benny Hill
Born 1924 · Age 101
English comedian, actor and scriptwriter best known for The Benny Hill Show; major TV star from the 1950s to 1989, noted for slapstick, burlesque and visual comedy.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Southampton
Alfred Hawthorne Hill born in Southampton, Hampshire, England to Alfred Hill and Helen (née Cave).
Left Taunton's School (approx.)
Left Taunton's School in Southampton (exact leaving year not specified; estimated late 1930s).
Early jobs: Woolworths and others
Worked at Woolworths and undertook jobs including milkman, bridge operator, driver and drummer before entering theatre.
Called up for WWII service
Called up in 1942 and trained as a mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).
Served in Normandy
Served as mechanic, truck driver and searchlight operator in Normandy after September 1944.
Transferred to Combined Services Entertainment
Transferred into Combined Services Entertainment before the end of the war and began performing for troops.
Adopted stage name 'Benny'
Took the nickname 'Benny' in homage to his favourite comedian Jack Benny (date estimated early post-war as he began show career).
Radio debut on Variety Bandbox
Made his radio debut on BBC's Variety Bandbox (first recorded radio performance).
First theatre job as Reg Varney's straight man
Became Reg Varney's straight man in theatre; he beat Peter Sellers to that role (date approximate late 1940s).
First television appearance / early TV revues
Made his television debut in 1949, appearing on BBC variety shows and revues (helped develop parodic sketches).
Voted television personality of the year
Recognised by the public/industry as television personality of the year (1954).
Debut of The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show premiered—a comedy-variety show combining live and filmed segments; Hill was central to almost every sketch.
Film role: Who Done It?
Starred in the Ealing comedy film Who Done It? (full-length feature).
Recurring supporting players and writers established (1950s–60s)
During BBC years recurring players (Patricia Hayes, Jeremy Hawk, Peter Vernon, Ronnie Brody) and co-writer Dave Freeman were established contributors to Hill's shows.
Short sojourns with ITV / ATV begin
Had brief spells with ITV/ATV stations beginning in 1957 (first of several non-BBC stints).
Reported romantic proposal(s) in early 1960s
Hill proposed to at least three women; Annette Andre later said she turned down his proposal in the early 1960s (personal life anecdote).
Film role: Light Up the Sky!
Appeared in the feature film Light Up the Sky! (1960).
Began long rental at 2 Queen's Gate (approx.)
Began renting a double-room apartment at 2 Queen's Gate in Kensington (rented for ~26 years until ~1986).
Father Alfred Hill died
Father Alfred Hill (1893–1972) — textual dates show father died in 1972 (added as family milestone).
Released multiple singles ('Gather in the Mushrooms', 'Pepys' Diary', 'Transistor Radio')
Released several novelty/recording hits in 1961, contributing to his cross-media popularity.
Sitcom anthology 'Benny Hill' begins
Starred in a sitcom anthology titled Benny Hill in which he played different characters each episode (series ran 1962–1963).
Single: 'Harvest of Love'
Released the single 'Harvest of Love' (1963), one of several successful novelty recordings.
Played Nick Bottom in TV A Midsummer Night's Dream
Played Nick Bottom in an all-star TV production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream (1964).
Radio series 'Benny Hill Time' begins
Started Benny Hill Time on BBC Radio's Light Programme (three series from 1964 to 1966); topical comedic radio show.
Film role: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Appeared in the feature film Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965).
Another ITV appearance/year of return to ITV
Had another brief return to ITV in 1967 (BBC/ITV movement continued in the 1950s–60s).
Film role: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) as the Toymaker.
Film role: The Italian Job
Appeared in The Italian Job (1969) as Professor Peach (supporting feature role).
Short film: The Waiters (short subject)
Made the short-subject film The Waiters (1969).
Show moved from BBC to Thames Television
In 1969 The Benny Hill Show left the BBC and Hill signed with Thames Television; the show remained there until 1989.
Short TV production: Eddie in August
Made the TV short Eddie in August (1970).
Nominated for BAFTA and two Emmy Awards (years not specified)
The record states Hill was nominated for the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Performance and for two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety (no years in text). This entry records the nominations (year estimated around 1970s).
Huge UK TV audience peak (21 million viewers)
The Benny Hill Show had an audience of more than 21 million in 1971—among the most-watched programmes in the UK.
'Ernie' single reaches UK No.1 Christmas spot
Comedy single 'Ernie (The Fastest Milkman in the West)' became the UK Christmas number one single in 1971.
Received additional industry awards (BAFTA/Golden Rose references)
Text notes he received a BAFTA Television Award for Best Writer and a Golden Rose (Rose d'Or) — specific year not provided; recorded here as early-1970s industry recognition (year estimated).
Won Ivor Novello Award
Received an Ivor Novello Award from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (for 'Ernie' era success).
Father's death recorded (1972)
Father Alfred Hill died in 1972 (family milestone; noted in biography).
The Best of Benny Hill theatrical compilation released
A clip-show film spin-off of his Thames shows (1969–1973) called The Best of Benny Hill was released in cinemas (1974).
Mother Helen Hill died (1976)
Mother Helen (née Cave) died in 1976 (family milestone; relevant because of will leaving estate to parents).
Reported audience peak of 21.1 million (quote)
A quoted figure states 21.1 million watched Hill in 1977; this figure appears in press commentary about the show's popularity (slightly different from other cited peak years).
Show begins to air in the United States (approx.)
By the late 1970s/1979 half-hour editions began airing in America and Hill became a US TV star (IMDb notes 1979 as first US showings).
Introduction of 'Hill's Angels' (early 1980s)
From the start of the 1980s the show featured a troupe of attractive young women collectively titled 'Hill's Angels'.
Moved from Queen's Gate flat to Fairwater House, Teddington (approx.)
After renting 2 Queen's Gate for ~26 years, Hill moved around 1986 to Fairwater House in Teddington near Teddington Studios.
Contract not renewed / sacked by Thames (reported)
John Howard Davies (head of Light Entertainment at Thames) was cited as the man who chose not to renew Hill's contract (press accounts).
Thames shows had earned company £26m
Press reported Hill's shows had earned Thames Television £26 million (large percentage from US success).
Announced quitting after 21 years with Thames
In late May 1989 Hill announced he was quitting and taking a year off after 21 years with Thames Television.
Benny Hill's World Tour project & 'Greetings from New York' special
Started work on Benny Hill's World Tour; recorded only one special, Greetings from New York (1991) — billed later as his final TV appearance.
Estate probated
Hill's estate was probated at £7,548,192 (1992); the will written 30 years earlier left most to his parents who had predeceased him, so estate passed to nieces/nephews.
Thames re-edited shows amid viewer requests
In February 1992 Thames Television assembled re-edited repeats of The Benny Hill Show after steady viewer requests.
Suffered a mild heart attack
On 24 February 1992 Hill suffered a mild heart attack; doctors recommended bypass surgery which he declined.
Diagnosed with kidney failure (declined dialysis)
Approximately a week after the heart attack he was found to have kidney failure and he refused dialysis (timing from sources: early March 1992).
Died at home (coronary thrombosis)
Hill died on 18 April 1992 at his flat in Teddington; cause of death recorded as coronary thrombosis (body discovered 20 April).
Body found two days after death
His body was not found until 20 April 1992 when colleagues entered his flat after being unable to contact him.
Buried at Hollybrook Cemetery
Buried on 28 April 1992 at Hollybrook Cemetery near his birthplace in Southampton.
Grave desecration / coffin exhumation
On the night of 4 October 1992 grave robbers exhumed and broke open Hill's coffin; coffin later reburied under concrete slab.
Featured in Channel 4 'Heroes of Comedy'
Channel 4 included Benny Hill in a Heroes of Comedy programme honoring comedic figures.
Ranked third greatest British comedian (The Independent)
D. J. Taylor of The Independent ranked Hill the third greatest British comedian of the 20th century (after Chaplin and Stan Laurel).
Voted No.17 in ITV's TV's 50 Greatest Stars poll (posthumous)
In 2006 the British public voted Hill number 17 in ITV's poll of TV's 50 Greatest Stars.
Channel 4 documentary 'Is Benny Hill Still Funny?' broadcast
Channel 4 broadcast a documentary questioning whether Hill's comedy still resonated with modern audiences (28 Dec 2006).
Snoop Dogg declares fandom (interview)
In a June 2011 interview rapper Snoop Dogg called himself a fan of Benny Hill (posthumous appreciation).
GQ commentary on international popularity (quote)
Roger Lewis in GQ (April 2014) commented on Hill's international popularity and awards (quote referencing past awards).
That's TV schedules The Benny Hill Show at Christmas
In November 2021 That's TV announced The Benny Hill Show would be featured in its Christmas schedule, marking a nationwide TV return after nearly 20 years.
Key Achievement Ages
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