Benny Hill Annual 1982

Trailer clips

More Benny Hill videos

Like many performers, Hill's first steps into showbusiness came in the forces - in his case appearing in the revue Stars In Battledress.

After he was demobbed from the army in 1947, Hill followed the traditional ciruit of working men's clubs and variety theatres - first using his own name, before settling on 'Benny' in homage to the US comic Jack Benny. At one time he was part of a double act with future On The Buses star Reg Varney.

He moved into radio in the Fifties, most notably in Educating Archie, and then into TV.

His progress was swift, in 1954 - just seven years out of the army - he was named TV personality of the year thanks to his BBC show.

His success would continue to his death, almost forty years later, as he became one of Britain's most bankable exports - even though his saucy postcard humour was loved and reviled in equal measure.

In 1969 he moved to ITV as he was poached by Thames, the company that brought him global success - the big breakthrough coming in 1979 when his shows were repackaged for the American market.

But Thames pulled the plug in 1989, by which time his cheeky persona was becoming more like a dirty old man. The shock move was considered by some as commercial folly - Hill was still a huge earner for Thames - but the recycling of decades worth of sketches kept the money coming in.

Off-screen, Hill lived a bizarre life. He found it difficult to relate to women - proposing marriage to virtual strangers - and money.

Even at his death, when he was worth around £10million, he lived in a tiny suburban house. Unbanked cheques lay in his drawers, and he would live on tins of unlabelled food sold of cheap by the local supermarket.

CV

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Half-nude women. Gags from kids' joke books. Speeded-up Benny on a motorbike... Ah, a comic genius you said?

Michael Monkhouse, September 2007

Ah, dear old Benny Hill.....such memories, such fun, all before politica correctness overwhelmed us. Pure genius and yes crudity, but at a base level we all love this man's approach to humour. Much loved and long missed.

Wm Joh M Finlayson, December 2006

I'm only 15 but I've got three of Benny's DVDs and each time I watch them I always laugh, even if I've seen a certain sketch several times before. To me he is alongside Tommy Cooper and Ken Dodd in the list of great British comedians. It's a shame that hes never on English television any more in these days of political coreectness.

Sam Houldsworth, July 2006

I discovered Benny Hill in the Sixties when I lived in London, and I was never able to forget his comedic genius. Benny Hill is the only comedian who has always made me laugh. When BBC America became available to me recently, I placed his show -the only one so far - on Automatic Scheduling. Benny Hill might never die...

Ronald Auguste, June 2006

I still love the re-runs. I've taped them all. Thank you Benny

Al, May 2006

Benny Hill was a comedy great, and in a society that seems unable to laugh at itself any more, here was a man who no one was safe from, and thank god for that

Mick, May 2006

Benny Hill is to me one of the best comedians ever seen; in fact the king. Lots need to be learn from him by today's comedians! He was without a doubt a genius and the only one who can make me laught the way he does. His acting was and remains unique. He was certainly born gifted, born to make people happy, that is why he is unbeatable. You still have your place Benny! Oh yes! We missed you! God bless you for all the joy you brought us!

Chantel. Paris, February 2006

Benny is missed by all who have the gift of laughter. I grew up with Benny, stayed up late undercover of my all watching mother, just to watch the funniest man on T.V. How I loved the witty songs and unmatched gags. Benny shaped my humor and ability to laugh at life and myself. May you be at rest Benny with the God that gave you your gift.

[Anon], August 2005

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5