Tony Hancock

English Comic Actor   -   [1924-1968]

Baby-Biography

Anthony John Hancock is born on the 12th May 1924 at 41 Southam Road, Hall Green, Birmingham. His family moves to Bournemouth when when he is two years old. On leaving school, Hancock drifts through various jobs but sets his heart on following in his late father's footsteps by becoming a comedian.

At seventeen, Hancock debuts as "The Confidential Comic". Against the advice of family friend and mentor, George Fairweather, he performs a risque routine and is asked to leave the stage, humiliated. He never tells a dirty joke again. In 1942, Hancock volunteers for the RAF. He is rejected by ENSA but is accepted by Ralph Reader into organised Concert Parties sent to many war zones. During this time Hancock meets Robert Moreton, Graham Stark and Peter Sellers.

After the war, in 1948, Hancock secures a six week spell at the infamous Windmill Theatre as a comedian entertaining the audience between nude revues. In 1951, he gets his big break when selected to take over from Robert Moreton as Archie Andrews' tutor in the radio show, "Educating Archie". His catchphrase, "Flippin' Kids", becomes nationally popular. Subsequent shows include "Happy Go Lucky" (on which he first meets script-writers Ray Galton & Alan Simpson), "Forces All Star Bill" and "Star Bill";

On 2nd November 1954, his own radio show - "Hancock's Half Hour" - is broadcast for the first time, scripted by Galton and Simpson. After several successful series he launches his television career with I.T.V. but fails to maintain the standard. He returns to the B.B.C. where, for a period of five years, his radio and television series run concurrently with increasing recognition.

Always seeking improvement, Hancock gradually disperses with all his long time colleagues including, ultimately, his most popular side-kick, Sid James. In 1961, his last television series scripted by Galton & Simpson is broadcast. Subsequent attempts to find an international audience and film stardom all end in disappointment. In 1963, Hancock moves to A.T.V. in Australia for a series of 13 comedy shows which were reasonably well received though the scripts were mediocre. He returns to his stage career and makes several tours of the UK.

As Hancock's career begins to falter, so his drinking dramatically increases and he becomes a chronic alcoholic. He labours on through two more I.T.V. series, by the end of which he is in poor shape and receiving bad reviews. In desperation, he accepts a three week engagement in Melbourne, Australia. He does well enough to be invited back in 1968 for a series of six television shows but, with his alcoholism at an advanced stage and his private life a mess, he finds himself alone, depressed sinking into public oblivion. Tony Hancock commits suicide on 25th June 1968.

Phespirit's Hero

Spike Milligan said of Tony Hancock:
"He went around closing doors on everybody and eventually closed the door on himself"

..... but whilst at the height of his powers, Hancock was - and still remains - the finest comic actor of the television age. Tony Hancock is Phespirit's hero for:

• His perfect delivery of the immaculate comic material given to him by Galton & Simpson;
• His ability to dispense sarcasm and abuse yet still remain loveable;
• His deft execution of tiny facial movements and small, subtle sounds for great comic effect.

[ More Hancock ]

	Hancock   surrounded   by   Cryptic   Clues   (?????)
	Hancock   surrounded   by   Galton   and   Simpson