Norman WISDOM (1915-2010)
first tribute
The definitive list of the 42 people who have been surprised more than once!
It's all about the comedy
THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Norman Wisdom, actor, comedian and singer-songwriter, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at St Margaret’s Taver,n Twickenham, on his 72nd birthday.
Norman honed his comedy skills while serving in the army during the Second World War. He made his debut as a professional entertainer after the war, experiencing a phenomenal rise to fame, becoming a West End star within two years.
He made a string of popular and highly successful low-budget star vehicle comedy films throughout the 1950s and 1960s, which began with Trouble in Store in 1953. He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1966 for his performance in the Broadway musical comedy Walking Happy, which led to him being cast in his first Hollywood movie, The Night They Raided Minsky’s.
Norman had been a subject of This Is Your Life previously in 1957.
“But I came to enjoy myself!”
Norman's son Nick recalls his experience of This Is Your Life in an exclusive interview recorded in March 2012
Screenshots of Norman Wisdom This Is Your Life
programme details...
- Edition No: 722
- Subject No: second timer
- Broadcast date: Wed 11 Feb 1987
- Broadcast time: 7-7.30pm
- Recording date: Wed 4 Feb 1987
- Venue: Teddington Studios
- Series: 27
- Edition: 18
- Code Name: Laugh
on the guest list...
- Billy Marsh
- Henry Cooper
- Davy Kaye
- Jon Pertwee
- Derek Batey
- David Lodge
- Bernie Clifton
- Freddie Davies
- Bill Pertwee
- Percy Edwards
- Ben Warris
- Vince Hill
- Charlie Chester
- Roy Castle
- Jacqui – daughter
- Nick – son
- Jack Bangay
- Patrick Dickenson
- The Beverley Sisters
- Maureen Swanson, Countess of Dudley
- Freddie Starr
- Roger ‘Tiny’ Willetts
- Lana Morris Filmed tributes:
- Bernard Delfont
- Bruce Forsyth
- Jason Robards
related appearances...
- Gracie Fields - Mar 1960
- David Nixon - Dec 1973
- Paddie O’Neil - Jan 1980
- William Roache - Oct 1985
- Gary Wilmot - Dec 1986
- Billy Marsh - Mar 1990
- Honor Blackman - Feb 1993
- Ron Moody - May 1994
- Stan Boardman - Nov 1995
- Rick Wakeman - Nov 1998
- Todd Carty - Nov 2000
- John Van Weenan - Feb 2001
- Kevin Woodford - May 2001
external links...
production team...
- Researcher: Christine Fanthome
- Writer: Roy Bottomley
- Directors: Terry Yarwood, Michael D Kent
- Producer: Malcolm Morris