Arthur Askey
Biography
Arthur Askey was an English comedian and actor, born in Liverpool in 1900, who performed in army entertainments while serving with the Royal Welch Fusiliers during the First World War. He toured in pantomime and worked in music halls before finding stardom in 1938 through the BBC's Band Waggon, the first regular radio comedy series. During the Second World War he appeared in several Gainsborough Pictures comedies, among them Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt and The Ghost Train, and his novelty recording The Bee Song stayed in his act for years. From the 1950s he was a familiar television presence, a regular on The Good Old Days, and later a sympathetic panelist on New Faces. Appointed OBE in 1969 and CBE in 1981, he worked on stage, radio and television until his death in 1982.
82years old at death
- Born Liverpool
- Died London
- Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
- Also credited as Arthur Bowden Askey
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 37 years1941 to 1978
Every film, newest first
- 1978Rosie Dixon - Night NurseIMDb rating 4.0
- 1972The Alf Garnett SagaIMDb rating 5.2
- 1941The Ghost TrainIMDb rating 6.1
Genres
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First role
Askey toured in the pantomime "Little Miss Muffet" during the early 1920s. His first professional appearance came on 31 March 1924, when he walked onto the stage of the Headgate Theatre in Colchester.
A first
In the early 1930s, Askey appeared on John Logie Baird's experimental television, needing heavy makeup because the picture had only thirty lines.
A change of course
In 1941, Askey planned to record a song called "It's Really Nice to See You Mr Hess", which was about Rudolf Hess fleeing to Scotland. The War Office banned it.
Arthur Askey movies on Netflix
Worked with
Arthur Askey shares two films with John Le Mesurier, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
John Le Mesurier's page
Roy Kinnear's page
Joan Sims's page
Raymond Huntley's page
Peter Bull's page
Warren Mitchell's page
Walter FordeDirector, 1 film, 1941
All films by Walter Forde
Justin CartwrightDirector, 1 film, 1978
All films by Justin Cartwright
Bob KellettDirector, 1 film, 1972
All films by Bob Kellett
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Commander of the Order of the British Empire | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.