Biography for
Charles Hawtrey (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

30 November 1914, Hounslow, Middlesex, England, UK

Date of Death

27 October 1988, Deal, Kent, England, UK (cardiovascular illness)

Birth Name

George Frederick Joffe Hartree

Nickname

Charlie

Mini Biography

Coming from a theatrical family (although not related to the famous Edwardian actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, he did "borrow" his last name), Charles Hawtrey made his stage debut at age 11 after having spent several years in a prestigious acting school. A string of stage roles followed, and by 1929 his success led him to move into radio. His success in that medium led to his entry into films, often working alongside noted comedian Will Hay. He continued his stage, radio and film work, although he scored more success on stage.

In 1958 he began work in the series for which he would achieve his greatest fame, the "Carry On" comedies. His stringy build, birdlike features, what has been described as his "outrageously posh" voice and his somewhat fey character's eccentricities made him one of the most popular of the "Carry On" gang. However, that very popularity indirectly led to his exit from the series. He believed that his character's prominence, and the fact that he had more experience in the business than most of his co-stars, entitled him to receive a higher billing in the series than he was getting. The producers didn't see it that way, and after Carry on Abroad (1972), he departed the series. Hawtrey was, by most accounts, almost as eccentric in real life as his character in the "Carry On" series was; one of his characteristics was to speak in an unintelligible language of his own making, which was only understood by a few of his closest friends. After he left the series he semi-retired from the business, making an occasional appearance in a movie or TV show. He had suffered from arthritis for a long time, and by 1988 his doctors told him that the condition had become so serious that his legs would have to be amputated in order to save his life. He refused, and died almost a month later. He was 73.

IMDb Mini Biography By: frankfob2@yahoo.com

Trade Mark

Wire frame "National Health" glasses

Catchphrase - "Oh hello!"

Trivia

His name had, in fact been borrowed from the celebrated Edwardian actor-manager Sir Charles Hawtrey, who died in 1923, a couple of years before the young Hawtrey (nee Hartree) began his career as a boy soprano.

His recreations included playing the piano and collecting antiques.

He was unmarried.

He lived in an old smuggler's cottage near the seafront at Deal, from which he was rescued during a fire in 1984.

In 1957 he appeared in the popular TV comedy series "The Army Game" (1957) as one of the scruffy lead-swinging squaddies stationed at the forgotten transit camp of Nether Hopping.

Came from a theatrical family and claimed at one point that his father was the Edwardian actor Charles Hawtrey. His father was actually a motor mechanic.

A fan of the "Carry On" series in which Hawtrey starred, John Lennon introduces the song "Two of Us" by saying, "I dig a Pygmy by Charles Hawtrey and the Deaf Aids . . . Phase One in which Doris gets her oats," on The Beatles "Let It Be" album.

His face is the cover of "The Very Best of The Smiths" compilation album (released 2001).

Along with Sid James, Kenneth Williams, and Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques he became one of the longest serving Carry On stars, appearing in 23 of the films.

In a dispute with producer Peter Rogers over star billing for the 1972 Carry On Christmas television programme, he did not appear in subsequent Carry On movies and went into semi-retirement. There were also concerns about his heavy drinking throughout the filming of Carry on Abroad (1972).

His first Carry On film was Carry on Sergeant (1958) and his last was Carry on Abroad (1972).

Had a very unusual acting style, where he would often deliver his lines directly to the camera. This is obvious throughout many of the "Carry On..." films and was encouraged by director Gerald Thomas. His acting style, laugh and spectacles became instantly recognizable trademarks.

His father was a motor mechanic.

Friends with Carry On co-star Joan Sims..

Personal Quotes

[in reference to the Carry On films] Those films haven't made me rich but they've given me a world wide identity.

[in 1984, speaking about Carry on Sergeant (1958) and his salary on the Carry On films] We worked for bread money. Nobody would take them, I was in the first one, Carry on Sergeant (1958), it was an idea of Peter Rogers, who is quite a clever fella. He didn't write it, but he had the idea. So he hawked it around and nobody would take it. He eventually went to two gentlemen at Anglo Amalgamated, and what happened - they made a fortune.

Salary

Carry On... Up the Khyber (1968)	£3,500
Carry on Doctor (1967)	£1,500
Carry on in the Legion (1967)	£4,000
Carry on Pimpernel (1966)	£4,500