Charles Hawtrey(1914-1988)
- Actor
- Director
- Cinematographer
Coming from a theatrical family (although not related to the famous
Edwardian actor Sir
Charles Hawtrey, he did
"borrow" his last name), Charles Hawtrey made his stage debut at age 11
after having spent several years in a prestigious acting school. A
string of stage roles followed, and by 1929 his success led him to move
into radio. His success in that medium led to his entry into films,
often working alongside noted comedian
Will Hay. He continued his stage, radio and
film work, although he scored more success on stage.
In 1958 he began work in the series for which he would achieve his
greatest fame, the "Carry On" comedies. His stringy build, birdlike
features, what has been described as his "outrageously posh" voice and
his somewhat fey character's eccentricities made him one of the most
popular of the "Carry On" gang. However, that very popularity
indirectly led to his exit from the series. He believed that his
character's prominence, and the fact that he had more experience in the
business than most of his co-stars, entitled him to receive a higher
billing in the series than he was getting. The producers didn't see it
that way, and after
Carry on Abroad (1972), he
departed the series. Hawtrey was, by most accounts, almost as eccentric
in real life as his character in the "Carry On" series was; one of his
characteristics was to speak in an unintelligible language of his own
making, which was only understood by a few of his closest friends.
After he left the series he semi-retired from the business, making an
occasional appearance in a movie or TV show. He had suffered from
arthritis for a long time, and by 1988 his doctors told him that the
condition had become so serious that his legs would have to be
amputated in order to save his life. He refused, and died almost a
month later. He was 73.
Edwardian actor Sir
Charles Hawtrey, he did
"borrow" his last name), Charles Hawtrey made his stage debut at age 11
after having spent several years in a prestigious acting school. A
string of stage roles followed, and by 1929 his success led him to move
into radio. His success in that medium led to his entry into films,
often working alongside noted comedian
Will Hay. He continued his stage, radio and
film work, although he scored more success on stage.
In 1958 he began work in the series for which he would achieve his
greatest fame, the "Carry On" comedies. His stringy build, birdlike
features, what has been described as his "outrageously posh" voice and
his somewhat fey character's eccentricities made him one of the most
popular of the "Carry On" gang. However, that very popularity
indirectly led to his exit from the series. He believed that his
character's prominence, and the fact that he had more experience in the
business than most of his co-stars, entitled him to receive a higher
billing in the series than he was getting. The producers didn't see it
that way, and after
Carry on Abroad (1972), he
departed the series. Hawtrey was, by most accounts, almost as eccentric
in real life as his character in the "Carry On" series was; one of his
characteristics was to speak in an unintelligible language of his own
making, which was only understood by a few of his closest friends.
After he left the series he semi-retired from the business, making an
occasional appearance in a movie or TV show. He had suffered from
arthritis for a long time, and by 1988 his doctors told him that the
condition had become so serious that his legs would have to be
amputated in order to save his life. He refused, and died almost a
month later. He was 73.