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Norman Wisdom (1915–2010)

Actor | Writer | Soundtrack

Norman Wisdom has become the great British clown very much in the mould of Charles Chaplin with his "little man" in the ill fitting suit and cloth cap. His character is "everyman", much put upon but struggling through to a (usually) happy ending. He was brought up in an orphanage after his mother died and his father disowned him... See full bio »

Born:

Norman Joseph Wisdom
in Marylebone, London, England, UK

Died:

(age 95) in Ballasalla, Isle of Man, UK
Norman Wisdom visiting Times Square in New York Still of Norman Wisdom in The Night They Raided Minsky's Still of Denholm Elliott, Jason Robards and Norman Wisdom in The Night They Raided Minsky's Norman Wisdom Norman Wisdom Norman Wisdom playing the part of the vicar in the 2007 film Expresso.
7 photos | 59 news articles »

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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActor (42 titles)
2010 Labrats (video) (post-production)
Scaredy (voice)
 
2011 The Legend of Harrow Woods (video)
Winston Llamata
 
2007 Expresso (short)
The Vicar (Buzz) (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
 
1995-2004 Last of the Summer Wine (TV series)
Billy Ingleton / Man carrying gnome
– Variations on a Theme of the Widow Winstanley (2004) … Billy Ingleton
– The General's Greatest Battle (2004) … Billy Ingleton (credit only: closing)
– A Musical Passing for a Miserable Muscroft (2002) … Billy Ingleton
– The Coming of the Beast (2001) … Billy Ingleton (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
– Gnome and Away (2001) … Man carrying gnome (uncredited)
See all 7 episodes »
 
2004 Five Children and It
Nesbitt
 
2004 Coronation Street (TV series)
Ernie Crabb
– Episode #1.5792 (2004) … Ernie Crabb
 
2003 Between the Sheets (TV mini-series)
Maurice Hardy
 
2003 The Last Detective (TV series)
Lofty Brock
– Lofty (2003) … Lofty Brock
 
2002 Dalziel and Pascoe (TV series)
Bernie Marks
– Mens Sana (2002) … Bernie Marks
 
1998 Casualty (TV series)
Mr. Cole
– She Loved the Rain (1998) … Mr. Cole
 
1992 Double X: The Name of the Game
Arthur Clutten/Maurice Rigby
 
1983 Bergerac (TV series)
Vincent Parkin
– Almost Like a Holiday (1983) … Vincent Parkin
 
1981 BBC2 Playhouse (TV series)
Bernard Flood
– Going Gently (1981) … Bernard Flood
 
1974-1976 A Little Bit of Wisdom (TV series)
Norman
– Otherwise Engaged (1976) … Norman
– Firebug (1976) … Norman
– The Party's Over (1976) … Norman
– To Catch a Thief (1976) … Norman
– Double Trouble (1976) … Norman
See all 20 episodes »
 
1976 Hudson & Halls (TV series)
Guest
 
1973 Nobody Is Norman Wisdom (TV series)
Nobody
 
1970 Norman (TV series)
 
1969 What's Good for the Goose
Timothy Bartlett
 
1968 The Night They Raided Minsky's
Chick Williams
 
1967 Androcles and the Lion (TV movie)
Androcles
 
1966 Press for Time
Norman Shields/Emily, his mother/Wilfred, his grandfather (the P.M.)
 
1966 The Sandwich Man
Boxing Vicar
 
1965 Norman Wisdom: The Early Bird
Norman Pitkin
 
1963 A Stitch in Time
Norman Pitkin
 
1962 On the Beat
Norman Pitkin / Giulio Napolitani
 
1961 The Girl on the Boat
Sam Marlowe
 
1960 The Bulldog Breed
Norman Puckle
 
1960 There Was a Crooked Man
Davy Cooper
 
1959 Follow a Star
Norman Truscott
 
1959 The Square Peg
Norman Pitkin / General Schreiber
 
1957 A Santa for Christmas (TV movie)
 
1957 Just My Luck
Norman Hackett
 
1956 Up in the World
Norman
 
1955 Man of the Moment
Norman
 
1955 As Long as They're Happy
Norman - Cameo Appearance (uncredited)
 
1955 One Good Turn
Norman
 
1953 Trouble in Store
Norman
 
1951 Vic's Grill (TV series)
 
1950 Wit and Wisdom (TV movie)
Norman
 
1949 Cuckoo College (TV movie)
Janitor
 
1948 A Date with a Dream
Shadow Boxer
 
1948 Wit and Wisdom (TV series)
Norman
 
Show ShowWriter (10 titles)
1986 Just Wisdom (TV documentary)
 
1973 Nobody Is Norman Wisdom (TV series)
– Episode dated 10 July 1973 (1973) (writer)
 
1969 What's Good for the Goose (script)
 
1966 Press for Time (screenplay)
 
1965 Norman Wisdom: The Early Bird (screenplay)
 
1963 A Stitch in Time (screenplay)
 
1962 On the Beat (screenplay)
 
1960 The Bulldog Breed (original screenplay)
 
1959 Follow a Star (original screenplay)
 
1959 The Square Peg (original screenplay)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (9 titles)
2004 Last of the Summer Wine (TV series)
– Variations on a Theme of the Widow Winstanley (2004) (music: "Falling in Love" / lyrics: "Falling in Love")
 
1996 Trojan Eddie (writer: "Don't Laugh At Me 'Cos I'm A Fool")
 
1969 What's Good for the Goose (performer: "What's Good for the Goose")
 
1959 Follow a Star (writer: "Follow a Star", "I Love You", "The Square Song", "Shepherd of the Dales" - uncredited)
 
1956 Up in the World (performer: "Up in the World" / "Up in the World")
 
1955 Man of the Moment (performer: "Beware", "Yodelee Yodelay", "Dream For Sale" / "Beware")
 
1955 As Long as They're Happy (music: "Don't Laugh At Me" - uncredited / lyrics: "Don't Laugh At Me" - uncredited / performer: "Don't Laugh At Me" - uncredited)
 
1955 One Good Turn (writer: "Please Opportunity" / performer: "Please Opportunity", "Take A Step In The Right Direction")
 
1953 Trouble in Store (music: "Don't Laugh At Me 'cause I'm A Fool" / lyrics: "Don't Laugh At Me 'cause I'm A Fool" / performer: "I'd Like To Put On Record That I Love You", "Don't Laugh At Me 'cause I'm A Fool")
 
Show ShowProducer (1 title)
1969 What's Good for the Goose (associate producer)
 
Show ShowMusic Department (1 title)
1959 Follow a Star (composer: songs "Follow a Star", "I Love You" and "The Square Song")
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2007 Expresso (short) (very special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (48 titles)
2008 Wonderland (TV series documentary)
Himself
– The Secret Life of Norman Wisdom Aged 92¾ (2008) … Himself
 
2007 British Film Forever (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
– Sauce, Satire and Silliness: The Story of British Comedy (2007) … Himself (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
 
2007 The Comedy Map of Britain (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Episode #1.6 (2007) … Himself (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
 
2006 Imagine (TV series)
Himself
– And Then There Was Television (2006) … Himself (also archive footage) (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
 
2006 The Story of Light Entertainment (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
– All-Round Entertainers (2006) … Himself
 
2004 Countryfile (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 21 March 2004 (2004) … Himself
 
2003 30 Years of 'Last of the Summer Wine' (TV documentary)
Himself (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
 
2003 Living Famously (TV series)
Himself
– Laurel & Hardy (2003) … Himself (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
 
2001 Mike Baldwin & Me (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2001 Our House (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode #8.16 (2001) … Himself - Guest
 
2001 One Hit Wonderland (TV mini-series)
Himself
 
1973-2000 This Is Your Life (TV series documentary)
Himself / Himself - Guest
– Todd Carty (2000) … Himself
– Rick Wakeman (1998) … Himself
– Norman Wisdom (1987) … Himself
– David Nixon (1973) … Himself - Guest
 
2000 Legends (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Norman Wisdom (2000) … Himself
 
2000 It's Only TV... But I Like It (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.5 (2000) … Himself
 
2000 Pulling Power (TV series documentary)
Himself - Guest
– Episode #4.3 (2000) … Himself - Guest
 
1999 Heroes of Comedy (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Norman Wisdom (1999) … Himself (also archive footage)
 
1998 Casualty 250 (TV documentary)
 
1998 Where on Earth Is... Katy Manning Because She'd Really Like to Know! (video documentary)
Himself
 
1997 25 Years of 'Last of the Summer Wine' (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1997 An Audience with Bruce Forsyth (TV movie)
Himself
 
1994 Paul Merton's Palladium Story (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
– Act Two: The Television Years (1994) … Himself (also archive footage)
– Act One: The Variety Years (1994) … Himself
 
1993 Clive Anderson Talks Back (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #8.2 (1993) … Himself
 
1993 The South Bank Show (TV series documentary)
Himself
– Norman Wisdom (1993) … Himself
 
1993 Without Walls (TV series documentary)
Himself
– The Obituary Show - Norman Wisdom (1993) … Himself
 
1992 Surprise Surprise! (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #9.7 (1992) … Himself
 
1990 I'm Not a Dentist But I Recognise This... (short)
Himself
 
1987 Highway (TV series)
Himself
– Isle of Man: Part 1 (1987) … Himself
 
1987 The Importance of Being Funny in America (TV documentary)
Guest
 
1986 Just Wisdom (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1985 The Golden Gong (TV documentary)
Himself - Interviewee (also archive footage)
 
1983 The Bob Monkhouse Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.10 (1983) … Himself
 
1980 Night of One Hundred Stars (TV movie)
Himself
 
1977 Looks Familiar (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 6 September 1977 (1977) … Himself - Guest
 
1977 Night Out at the London Casino (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #1.3 (1977) … Himself
 
1977 Saturday Night at the Mill (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.5 (1977) … Himself
 
1971 Stars on Sunday (TV series)
Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 2 May 1971 (1971) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 18 April 1971 (1971) … Himself - Guest
– Episode dated 11 April 1971 (1971)
– Episode dated 3 January 1971 (1971) … Himself - Guest
 
1967-1971 The Ed Sullivan Show (TV series)
Comedian / Himself - Comedian / Musician
– Episode #24.25 (1971) … Himself - Comedian
– Episode #20.26 (1967) … Comedian / Musician
 
1970 The Good Old Days (TV series)
Himself - Performer
– Episode dated 31 December 1970 (1970) … Himself - Performer
 
1970 The David Frost Show (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #3.44 (1970) … Himself
 
1970 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
– Episode dated 4 September 1970 (1970) … Himself
 
1969-1970 Music Hall (TV series)
Himself
– Episode #2.4 (1970) … Himself
– Episode #2.3 (1970) … Himself
– Episode #2.2 (1970) … Himself
– Episode #2.1 (1970) … Himself
– Episode dated 9 November 1969 (1969) … Himself
See all 7 episodes »
 
1969 The Peapicker in Piccadilly (TV movie)
Himself
 
1967 The 21st Annual Tony Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Performer
 
1955-1961 Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium (TV series)
Himself / Himself - Top Of The Bill
– Episode #7.12 (1961) … Himself - Top Of The Bill
– Episode #2.17 (1957) … Himself
– Episode #1.19 (1956) … Himself
– Episode #1.3 (1955) … Himself
 
1960 The Royal Variety Show (TV movie)
Himself
 
1956 The Norman Wisdom Show (TV series)
Himself
 
1952 What's My Line (TV series)
Himself - Celebrity Challenger
– Episode dated 25 February 1952 (1952) … Himself - Celebrity Challenger
 
1952 Der Hauptfilm hat noch nicht begonnen... (TV series)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (11 titles)
2011 The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2010 Norman Wisdom: His Story
Himself
 
2010 Daybreak (TV series)
 
2010 Breakfast (TV series)
 
2009 Stars on the Street (TV documentary)
Ernie Crabb (uncredited)
 
2007 Room 101 (TV series)
 
2005 Bruce Forsyth's Comedy Heroes (TV documentary)
Himself
 
2002 Heroes of Comedy (TV series documentary)
 
2001 I Love Christmas (TV documentary)
 
1988 The 1950's: Music, Memories & Milestones (video documentary)
Himself
 
1977 To See Such Fun (documentary)
Himself
 
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

World of Wisdom, Musical collaboration between Norman and Rick Wakeman, a devout fan. See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Print Biographies  | 10 Articles  | 11 Magazine Cover Photos  | See more »

Official Sites:

Sir Norman Wisdom OBE | See more »

Alternate Names:

Sir Norman Wisdom | a favour

Height:

5' 2" (1.57 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

I had a great day filming Expresso, every minute was worth an hour. See more »

Trivia:

Born of very humble beginnings to Frederick, a chauffeur, and Maude Wisdom, a dressmaker. His mother left the family (which included a brother) when he was nine. See more »

Trademark:

Lop-sided grin Falling over See more »

Star Sign:

Aquarius