Chubby, round-faced British comedian, noted for his bawdy double entendres and outlandish comic sketches in which he either dressed in drag or was pursued by buxom women in scanty outfits. Described as "comedy of sexual regret" by novelist Anthony Burgess, Hill's cornball humor--a combination of expert mimicry and saucy music-hall sight gags--won him an international cult following during the 1970s and 80s as star of the popular syndicated Thames export, "The Benny Hill Show"; it also won him accusations of sexism which were partially responsible for the cancellation of his show in England in 1989.
- Also Credited As:
Alfred Hawthorn Hill
- Born:
January 21, 1925 in Southampton, England, United Kingdom
- Died:
April 20, 1992.
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Job Titles:
Comedian, Writer, Milk deliverer, Stock boy
Family
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Brother: Leonard Hill. deceased; wrote Saucy Boy , biography of brother
Milestones
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1941 Stage debut in Stars in Battledress
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1952 TV debut with own show on the BBC; wrote all his own material
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1955 Feature acting debut, Who Done It?
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1964 Appeared in teleplay, A Midsummer Night s Dream
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1968 Played the Toymaker in film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
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1969 Starred in syndicated series, The Benny Hill Show in the U.K.
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1979 The Benny Hill Show first aired in US
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1989 The Benny Hill show dropped by Thames Television
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1992 Had suffered a series of heart problems including a heart attack in February
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Began career working in men s clubs and in variety and summer shows