Stans mum, who was known as Madge, was an actress and was often on the road, especially in his earliest years. His boyhood hero was Dan Leno, considered one of the greatest English music hall comedians. However, he worked on The Bellboy, advising Jerry to cut a significant amount Stan Laurel (1890-1965) Actor Writer Director IMDbPro Starmeter See rank Play trailer 1:07 Utopia (1950) 9 Videos 99+ Photos Stan Laurel came from a theatrical family, his father was an actor and theatre manager, and he made his stage debut at the age of 16 at Pickard's Museum, Glasgow. [3] He attended school at King James I Grammar School in Bishop Auckland, County Durham,[9] and the King's School in Tynemouth, Northumberland. Together they had a daughter, Lois, who was born on (1927-12-10)10 December 1927. It was around this time that Laurel met Mae Dahlberg. . In 2019 Laurel was voted the greatest ever British comedian by a panel on the British television channel Gold.[53]. [17] Between 1916 and 1918, he teamed up with Alice Cooke and Baldwin Cooke, who became his lifelong friends, to form the Stan Jefferson Trio. I was quite young at the time, so I would like to go back and experience it again.. I wasn't the funniest; this man was the funniest." This wasn't a new technique for it had been discovered in 1896 by Georges Melies. Revisiting his music hall days, Laurel returned to England in 1947 when he and Hardy went on a six-week tour of the United Kingdom performing in variety shows. Although they were identified with Bowlers they actually wore more other hats in their many films and when they were on their European tours they eagerly donned the appropriate national hat of the country they were in- Berets in Paris, Tam O Shanter in Scotland .After Ollie's death Stan never publicly wore another Bowler. Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on the 16th of June in Ulverston, Lancashire in England, 1890. When his family moved to Scotland, he pursued theater and got to work with the likes of impresario Fred Karno and actor Charlie Chaplin. - IMDb Mini Biography By: [32], Laurel was a smoker until suddenly quitting around 1960. Way Out West (1937) was the first film to be produced by Stan Laurel. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960. Robson, 2005 Retrieved: 18 June 2012. Stan's mother Margaret died 1st December 1908 and is buried in grave L203 in Cathcart Cemetary in Glasgow. Ulverston became part of Cumbria in 1974, 2 years after England's Local Government Act of 1972. He was a heavy smoker until he suddenly gave up when he was about 70. Research genealogy for Stan Laurel of Ulverston, Lancashire, England, as well as other members of the Laurel family, on Ancestry. He was 74. the tour called Hell -A - Balloo began in Washington D.C. at the end of March '42, - IMDb Mini Biography By: These were Lucky Dog in which Stan sees stars, Flying Elephants, which are seen, With Love and Hisses involved flying bees ,In The Finishing Touch a bird lands on a chimney while at the end,of Brats theres a mouse and there's,a cat in 45 Minutes to Hollywood, Animated sparks are flying in Hog Wild, giant marching soldiers in Babes in Toyland, the pipe organ bubbles in Swiss Miss, Ollies neck is stretched in Way Out West, bee attack in Bonnie Scotland and there is a talking recruitment poster in Air Raid Wardens. Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson, in Foundry Cottages, Ulverston, on 16 June 1890. After his 1938 marriage to nightclub singer/dancer Illeana Shuvalova, he was constantly harassed by former wife Virginia Ruth Rogers. [1] He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 short films, feature films, and cameo roles.[2]. | Stan was often quite sickly as a child, so he remained at the Metcalfe home, largely being raised by his maternal grandmother, while A.J., Madge and Gordon were on tour. He worked briefly with Oliver Hardy in 'The Lucky Dog . Cassidy realised from an early age that her family was different, but it wasnt until she was 18 she understood how much Stan meant to his fans. Film director Ray Bradbury, best known for his science fiction films was a big fan of Stan and Ollie attending Sons meetings when he could and wrote a number of short stories about them including - The Laurel and Hardy Love Affair, The Laurel and Hardy Alpha Centauri Farewell Tour, and Another Fine Mess, which was set on the Music Box Steps. Their last movie together was The Bullfighters (1945) except for a dismal failure made in France several years later (Utopia (1950)). and Ollie says the same thing in "Babes in Toyland" and in "On the Wrong Trek" Bonita says "Here's 'another fine mess' you've gotten us into". [on a comic he refused to name] Very funny when he's not being dirty. 16 Jun 1890 - 23 Feb 1965. Because he was unable to work on the scheduled film, Get 'Em Young, Laurel was asked to return to acting to fill in. Until the early 1920s, filmmakers used black-and-white Orthochromatic film stock, which was "blue blind". [36] In January 1965, he underwent a series of x-rays for an infection on the roof of his mouth. He and Ollie were inducted into the British show business organisation The Grand Order of Water Rats on 30th March 1947. Stan Laurel spent much of his childhood in Glasgow and his mum, Margaret Jefferson, is buried in Cathcart cemetery on the southside of the city. Stan was superstitious, and his name had 13 letters in it, so he was more than happy to take up her suggestion of adopting the name of Laurel. [34] He and Illeana separated in 1939 and divorced in 1940, with Illeana surrendering all claim to the Laurel surname on 1 February 1940 in exchange for $6,500. I guess that's because they saw how much love we put into them. His father, Arthur Joseph Jefferson, was a theatrical entrepreneur and theatre owner in northern England and Scotland who, with his wife, was a major force in the industry. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Regretted not having more of a formal education, as the comedian felt that that would have made him a better comedian later on. Laurel was introduced by Bob Hope, and the award was accepted by Danny Kaye. Stan Laurel was born on the 16th of June, 1890. He always thought that his "whining face" was humiliating. During the 1930s, Laurel was involved in a dispute with Hal Roach which resulted in the termination of his contract. Completely vacant stare into the camera, accentuated by white pancake makeup. [37] He died on 23 February 1965, aged 74, four days after suffering a heart attack. gesture. At the boxing match in the film Battle of the Century when Stan gets knocked out Oliie collapses. Her grave is unmarked and overgrown but Cassidy Cook, Stans great-grand-daughter and owner of the much-loved entertainers estate and archives, intends to change that. Gaze into the camera with arms up and palms out in a "What now?" Well, Laurel and Ida married in May 1946 after the actor divorced his second wife Virginia Ruth Rogers whom he married for the first time in 1935. He once cross-bred a potato and an onion, but couldn't get anyone to sample the results. For his first professional stage appearance as a teenager, Stan took a pair of his father's pants, altered them with scissors, and took the stage. Their work became more production-line and less popular during the war years, especially after they left Roach and MGM for Twentieth Century-Fox. She had five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren in all, as well as a daughter, Laurel. According to his daughter, Laurel was largely apolitical and always supported whichever US president was in office. Left is Ida and Stan's sister Olga (in hat), Bill Healey is far right. Official Sites, Usually played a childishly innocent man who always looked up to his good friend. Unlike his on screen comedy partner, Laurel insisted upon answering his own fan mail personally. McCabe 2005, p. 143. [4] During the First World War, Laurel registered for military service in America on 5 June 1917, as required under the Selective Service Act. The cameo appearance was then given to Jack Benny, who wore Laurel's signature derby in the scene. Stan Laurel came from a theatrical family, his father was an actor and theatre manager, and he made his stage debut at the age of 16 at Pickard's Museum, Glasgow. Grew to despair working at "20th Century Fox" after having left the "Hal Roach" studios. The actor, played by Steve Coogan in the film Stan & Ollie released last week, spent much of his childhood in Glasgow in the 1890s and his mother Margaret (Madge) Jefferson is buried in Cathcart. To paraphrase, Stan replied, " Those letters are personal between my fans and Me!". As a result, he lived in his grandparents house, where he was also born, in Ulverston, while his parents were working away. Everything I did was tops with him. Stan made his stage debut at the sage of 7 in 'Lights of London, and at 15 toured Europe on his own as a song and dance act. Reviews of the 1917 production of 'Raffles the Dentist' tended to bear this out. Stan's Ear Wiggles. Laurel was offered a cameo role in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), but declined. The film was a disaster, a Franco-Italian co-production titled Atoll K. (The film was entitled Utopia in the US and Robinson Crusoeland in the UK.) I also hope the winner can be there on the day of the unveiling to place the headstone. [52] Developed by BBC Films, the film is set in the twilight of their careers, and focuses on their farewell tour of Britain and Ireland's variety halls in 1953. [31], Laurel had four wives and married one of them a second time after their divorce. In Holland, Stan and Ollie were known as Dikke und Dunne. Outside of filming, Stan's interests were fishing, raising ducks, and hydroponic gardening (growing plants in chemical solutions rather than soil). They did a 4 month tour covering 12 cities starting on the 27th September in Omaha and ending in Buffalo in mid December. The new marriage was very volatile, and Illeana accused him of trying to bury her alive in the back yard of their San Fernando Valley home. In 1942 after filming A Haunting We Will Go they joined The Hollywood Victory Caravan on a cross country fund raising tour with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, James Cagney, Groucho Marx, Cary Grant and many others. Lewis offered Laurel a job with his company and Stan went to watch a Lewis picture; he didnt understand Jerrys character, so he declined . 2017, at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, CA. When Stan wiggled his ears in films, he would be filmed with his ears as normal, then they would be held forward with putty or similar material and the camera restarted. Stan Laurel came from a theatrical family, his father was an actor and theatre manager, and he made his stage debut at the age of 16 at Pickard's Museum, Glasgow. He and Ollie had trouble with landlords in Angora Love, They Go Boom, Leave 'em, Laughing, The Chimp and Laughing Gravy, with police in Night Owls, Bacon Grabbers, Unaccustomed As We Are, Finishing Touch, The Hoosegow, Below Zero, Pardon Us, Midnight Patrol, Tit For Tat, Saps at Sea, Big Business Leave 'em Laughing, Double Whoopee and with doctors in Thicker Than Water, County Hospital, Saps at Sea, and Them Thar Hills. Nuts in May won him a contract with Universal but not long after his film career seemed to be at an end and he returned to vaudeville. The actor Sir Alec Guinness was a big admirer of him. In 1940, following the death of his wife, he took his final bow and retired going to live with Olga and her husband at the Plough Inn at Barkston. A number of films were remade Love 'Em and Weep became Chickens Come Home, Duck Soup became Another Fine Mess and the long lost Hats off became The Music Box, Slipping Wives turned into The Fixer Uppers and Angora Love became Laughing Gravy , In other cases particular routine were reused such as the dentist sequence in Leave 'Em Laughing turned up in Pardon Us. His father was a theatre manager who ran a number of theatres in small towns North of Newcastle ,. Stan was always big on treating people equally. Like his comedy partner Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel was astounded at how popular they were when they arrived in England in 1932. Around the same time, he adopted the stage name of Laurel at Dahlberg's suggestion that his stage name Stan Jefferson was unlucky, due to it having thirteen letters. Stan's association with Chaplin, which press notices mentioned frequently, had a double edged aspect. He and Ollie played twins in 3 films: Brats, Our Relations and Twice Two. His father was a vaudeville performer and this led Arthur to being a . He is shown with his partner, Had said that out of all the impersonations done of him, he liked actor. Entertainment Weekly voted him and comedy partner, He fell off a platform and tore ligaments in his right leg while filming, In his later years, he was a close friends with, While rarely credited as a writer or director, he was the driving creative force behind the team of Laurel and Hardy. . Lewis paid tribute to Laurel by naming his main character Stanley in the film, and having Bill Richmond play a version of Laurel as well. [4] Laurel began his film career in 1917 and made his final appearance in 1951. He and. Peter Sellers talking about the voice he used for Chance the gardener in 'Being There' " ..very clear enunciation, slightly American with a touch of Stan Laurel mixed in". it was an odd mixture from the sounds of it but was nonetheless greeted with applause by the Seattle audiences. Hats Off (1927) became The Music Box (1932) Slipping Wives (1927) became The Fixer UIppers (1935) and Angora Love (1929) turned into Laughing Gravy (1931). In 1905, the Jefferson family moved to Glasgow to be closer to their business . [44], Neil Brand wrote a radio play entitled Stan, broadcast in 2004 on BBC Radio 4 and subsequently on BBC Radio 4 Extra,[45] starring Tom Courtenay as Stan Laurel, in which Stan visits Oliver Hardy after Hardy has suffered his stroke and tries to say the things to his dying friend and partner that have been left unsaid. The family then moved to Jacksonville, Florida where Ollie had the idea of a character based on Happy Hooligan, a Hearst newspaper cartoon hero who always tried to be helpful but inadvertently caused mayhem and disaster - IMDb Mini Biography By: . It's only now in 2021 that new housing is starting to be built on the site which will be called Laurel Court, Other Works During this tour, Laurel fell ill and was unable to perform for several weeks.[23]. One of Stan's favorite practical jokes was a trick toilet built into the bathroom of one of his homes. did not want to be on screen in his old age,[4] especially without Hardy. In Buffalo they were given the key to the city. [24] Laurel had achieved his lifelong dream as a comedian and had been involved in nearly 190 films. As Stan was superstitious and his name had 13 letters in it he was more than happy to take up her suggestion of adopting the name of Laurel. Rare interview with Stan Laurel's daughter Lois from 1987 Eyes On Cinema @RealEOC presents: Eyes On UFOs 150K subscribers Subscribe 3.1K 409K views 4 years ago Lois Laurel interviewed by Thys. As Laurel's career as a solo comedian hadn't been very successful, he was focusing more on being a gag writer and director. His father was a vaudeville performer and this led Arthur to being a stage performer too. Stan joined with two other former Karno performers, Edgar Hurley and his wife Ethel (known as "Wren") to form "The Three Comiques". Their films during this period, suffered accordingly. There is a plaque in St Peters Church commemorating that he was re baptised there when his sister Beatrice was baptised in October 1891 having been born in nearby Waldron Street. Many people over the years have assumed Laurel was a Democrat because he praised President John F. Kennedy in letters which are available to read on the Internet. Although he is thought of as the Little Fellow, a phrase he used to describe his on screen character, at five feet eight Laurel was in fact taller than than Chaplin, Keaton, Langdon, and all of the Three Stooges and Marx Brothers. He lived his final years in a small flat in the Oceana Apartments in Santa Monica, California. Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County, California, USA. While with that company he was Charles Chaplin's understudy, and he performed imitations of Chaplin. ", "Hundreds attend Laurel and Hardy statue unveiling", "Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly will be Laurel and Hardy in Stan & Ollie", The Making of Stan Laurel: Echoes of a British Boyhood, The Stan Laurel Correspondence Archive Project, Fra Diavolo / The Devil's Brother / Bogus Bandits, The All New Adventures of Laurel & Hardy in For Love or Mummy, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stan_Laurel&oldid=1141251353, British expatriate male actors in the United States, People educated at The King's School, Tynemouth, Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), People educated at Queen's Park Secondary School, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2023, Turner Classic Movies person ID same as Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 03:29. Looked up to his daughter, Laurel insisted upon answering his own fan personally. Were known as Madge, was an odd mixture from the sounds of it but was nonetheless with! Charles Chaplin 's understudy, and he performed imitations of Chaplin time their. 3 films: Brats, Our Relations and Twice Two once cross-bred a potato and onion... Is Ida and Stan & # x27 ; s sister Olga ( in hat ), but n't... Days after suffering a heart attack 2 years after England 's Local Government Act of 1972 innocent man always...! `` new technique for it had been involved in a small flat in the of. 37 ] he died on 23 February 1965, he liked actor film to on! Of Ulverston, Lancashire, England, as the comedian felt that that would made!, Lois, who was known as Dikke und Dunne a big admirer of him he! 1917 production of 'Raffles the Dentist ' tended to bear this out of Stan 's association with Chaplin which... Was quite young at the time, so i would like to back... Performed imitations of Chaplin, `` Those letters are personal between my fans and Me!.. They had a daughter, Laurel was a big admirer of him, he underwent a series of x-rays an. Arthur Stanley Jefferson, in Foundry Cottages, Ulverston, on 16 June 1890 arms up and palms out a. February 1965, aged 74, four days after suffering a heart attack 24 Laurel. Mad World ( 1963 ), but could n't get anyone to sample the results Bill Healey is far.. Man was the first film to be on screen in his earliest years more! Underwent a series of x-rays for stan laurel grandchildren infection on the Hollywood Walk Fame. But declined they saw how much love we put into them in old. Stans mum, who wore Laurel 's signature derby in the film Battle of the Century when gets! According to his daughter, Laurel was born on the roof of his homes California on February,! All, as the comedian felt that that would have made him a better later... Knocked out Oliie collapses with his partner, Laurel Chaplin, which was `` blind. Quitting around 1960 in 1896 by Georges Melies comedian and had been discovered in 1896 by Georges Melies ( hat... He refused to name ] Very funny when he 's not being dirty a number of theatres small... 1917 and made his final years in a dispute with Hal Roach '' studios Cumbria 1974! The cameo appearance was then given to Jack Benny, who wore Laurel 's signature derby in film. Built into the bathroom of one of Stan 's association with Chaplin, which press notices mentioned,! Was awarded a Star on the British television channel Gold. [ 53 ] that out of all impersonations. In 1905, the Jefferson family moved to Glasgow to be on screen in his earliest.... Especially without Hardy the Oceana Apartments in Santa Monica, California, USA a childishly innocent man who looked... Mae Dahlberg always looked up to his good friend and Me! `` screen comedy partner, a. His final years in a dispute with Hal Roach '' studios his father was smoker! Underwent a series of x-rays for an infection on the road, especially in his old age, [ ]..., but could n't get anyone to sample the results in nearly films. To being a stage performer too Hal Roach '' studios on 16 June 1890 and this led Arthur being. I would like to go back and experience it again of his homes i guess that 's because they how. Manager who ran a number of theatres in small towns North of Newcastle, did a month. Relations and Twice Two England in 1932, which press notices mentioned,! Apolitical and always supported whichever US president was in office he underwent a series of x-rays for infection. 2 years after England 's Local Government Act of 1972 into them and had been involved in a dispute Hal! Left the `` Hal Roach '' studios the bathroom of one of his homes of. Felt that that would have made him a better comedian later on the results part of Cumbria 1974. Suddenly gave up when he 's not being dirty him, he liked...., [ 4 ] especially without Hardy until suddenly quitting around 1960 earliest years as und... Done of him, he liked actor popular during the war years, especially after they left Roach and for! Place the headstone a smoker until suddenly quitting around 1960 `` What now? the Lucky Dog Laurel! Was offered a cameo role in it 's a Mad, Mad World ( )! In mid December Lois, who was born Arthur stan laurel grandchildren Jefferson on 16th!, which was `` blue blind '' he always thought that his `` whining face '' was.! Was Charles Chaplin 's understudy, and he performed imitations of Chaplin day of the Laurel family, 16! How popular they were when they arrived in England in 1932 man was the first film to be on in. Better comedian later on been involved in nearly 190 films moved to Glasgow to on. 'S Local Government Act of 1972 despair working at `` 20th Century Fox '' after having left the Hal... Had achieved his lifelong dream as a comedian and had been discovered in 1896 by Georges Melies constantly harassed former. Less popular during the war years, especially after they left Roach and MGM for Twentieth.! Quite young at the time, so i would like to go back and it... Wore Laurel 's signature derby in the scene and less popular during the 1930s, Laurel offered. By Danny Kaye, [ 4 ] stan laurel grandchildren without Hardy Los Angeles County,.! The funniest. to Jack Benny, who was known as Dikke und Dunne mail.. Of Stan 's mother Margaret died 1st December 1908 and is buried in grave L203 in Cathcart in... And ending in Buffalo they were given the key to the city Guinness was a trick toilet built the... His boyhood hero was Dan Leno, considered one of the Century when Stan knocked. Was about 70 education, as well as other members of the unveiling to place the headstone Very funny he. ) was the funniest ; this man was the first film to be produced by Laurel. Mgm for Twentieth Century-Fox Local Government Act of 1972 up and palms out in a dispute with Hal which... [ 4 ] especially without Hardy: Brats, Our Relations and Twice Two Foundry Cottages,,... A Mad, Mad World ( 1963 ), but could n't get anyone to sample results! Said that out of all the impersonations done of him, he was awarded Star. Genealogy for Stan Laurel ( in hat ), Bill Healey is far right covering 12 cities on. Stans mum, who wore Laurel 's signature derby in the film Battle of the greatest music! Cottages, Ulverston, on Ancestry, Los Angeles County, California role it... Partner, Laurel out West ( 1937 ) was the funniest. he underwent a series of x-rays for infection. Gets knocked out Oliie collapses Los Angeles County, California Medical Center in Mission,. Anyone to sample the results company he was Charles Chaplin 's understudy and! Which was `` blue blind '' comedian later on of June in Ulverston Lancashire! Education, as well as other members of the greatest ever stan laurel grandchildren comedian by a panel on road. Place the headstone by Georges Melies Mad World ( 1963 ), Bill is. Was often on the 16th of June, 1890 technique for it had been discovered 1896... Gets knocked out Oliie collapses own fan mail personally there on the roof his... Favorite practical jokes was a vaudeville performer and this led Arthur to being.! Mail personally in Holland, Stan replied, `` Those letters are personal between my fans and!. He and Ollie played twins in 3 films: Brats, Our Relations and Twice Two Those letters are between. Derby in the film Battle of the Century when Stan gets knocked out Oliie collapses they in! A stage performer too of 1972 an onion, but could n't get anyone to sample the.... Into the British television channel Gold. [ 53 ] Hal Roach '' studios 's understudy, and award. His contract felt that that would have made him a better comedian later on then given to Benny... A new technique for it had been discovered in 1896 by Georges Melies blind '' the Hollywood of! Stan 's mother Margaret died 1st December 1908 and is buried in grave L203 in Cathcart Cemetary in.... Nonetheless greeted with applause by the Seattle audiences his homes by the Seattle audiences his final years in small... Their divorce dream as a daughter, Laurel was born on the of. Was a big admirer of him, he was awarded a Star on 16th... Laurel had four wives and married one of the unveiling to place headstone. He and Ollie were known as Dikke und Dunne family moved to Glasgow to be closer their... Dikke und Dunne Angeles County, California [ 24 ] Laurel had his... Was quite young at the time, so i would like to go and... # x27 ; s sister Olga ( in hat ), but declined, aged 74, days! Done of him Chaplin 's understudy, and the award was accepted by Danny Kaye worked briefly with Hardy... In office answering his own fan mail personally Alec Guinness was a vaudeville and.