Alfred Hawthorne -

During WWII, he served as a driver and mechanic in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) . It was during his service that he began performing for troops, eventually adopting the stage name "Benny" as a tribute to American comedian Jack Benny. The Rise of "The Benny Hill Show"

By the late 1980s, his style began to clash with changing social standards. Critics labeled the show sexist, and it was eventually canceled by Thames Television in 1989. A Frugal, Solitary End alfred hawthorne

Hill’s breakthrough came when he realized his physical, visual style of comedy was better suited for television than the live stage, where he often suffered from crippling nerves. During WWII, he served as a driver and

Despite being one of the wealthiest entertainers in Britain—with an estate worth over £10 million—Hill lived with extreme frugality. Critics labeled the show sexist, and it was

In April 1992, Hill was found dead in his armchair in front of the television, two days after suffering a coronary thrombosis . In a strange final twist, his grave was later disturbed by robbers following false rumors that he had been buried with gold jewelry.

The Benny Hill Show became a global phenomenon, exported to over 100 countries. It relied on a "music hall" style of humor: heavy on slapstick, double entendre, and the iconic high-speed chases set to "Yakety Sax".

The late great Alfred Hawthorne "Benny" Hill "The Benny Hill Show"