Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Benny Hill would have turned 100 years old. The British comedian, whose real name was Alfred Hawthorne Hill, was the creator and star of The Benny Hill Show, one of the most successful and influential TV shows of the 20th century. The show ran for 39 years, from 1955 to 1989, and was broadcast in more than 90 countries, reaching an estimated audience of one billion people. Hill was a master of slapstick comedy, parody, and musical humor, and a pioneer of using video editing and fast motion techniques. He was also a controversial figure, who faced criticism and censorship for his portrayal of women, politics, and religion. His show was abruptly canceled in 1989, and he died alone in 1992, at the age of 68. How did Benny Hill become a cult comedian, lose everything, and die alone?
The Early Years
Benny Hill was born in Southampton, England, on January 21, 1924. He was the youngest of three children, and grew up in a working-class family. His father was a surgical appliance maker, and his mother was a domestic worker. Hill was a shy and quiet child, who loved reading, writing, and watching movies. He was especially fond of comedians like Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Will Hay. He also had a talent for music, and learned to play the guitar, the harmonica, and the accordion.
Hill left school at the age of 15, and worked various jobs, including milkman, bridge operator, and drummer. He also served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during World War II, where he entertained his fellow soldiers with jokes and impressions. He decided to pursue a career in show business, and adopted the stage name Benny Hill, after his favorite comedian, Jack Benny. He started performing in variety shows, radio shows, and pantomimes, and soon gained a reputation as a versatile and funny entertainer.
The Benny Hill Show
In 1955, Hill got his own TV show, The Benny Hill Show, on BBC. The show was a mix of sketches, songs, and monologues, featuring Hill in various roles and costumes. He often played characters who were either naive, lecherous, or unlucky, and who got into absurd and hilarious situations. He also parodied celebrities, politicians, and popular culture, using his skills as an impressionist and a songwriter. He was supported by a regular cast of actors and comedians, such as Henry McGee, Bob Todd, and Jackie Wright, whom Hill often slapped on the head as a running gag.
The show was an instant hit, and attracted millions of viewers. Hill won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance in 1957, and was nominated again in 1958 and 1959. He also made several movies, such as Who Done It? (1956), Light Up the Sky! (1960), and Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965).
In 1969, Hill moved to ITV, where he had more creative freedom and a bigger budget. He also introduced a new element to his show: the Hill’s Angels. They were a group of attractive female dancers and performers, who appeared in skimpy outfits and provocative poses. They were often chased by Hill or his male co-stars, in fast-paced and comical scenes. The Hill’s Angels became a trademark of the show, and a source of controversy. Many critics and feminists accused Hill of sexism, objectification, and exploitation of women. Hill defended himself, saying that his humor was harmless and innocent, and that he was not a misogynist, but a lonely bachelor who admired women.
The show also faced criticism from religious and conservative groups, who objected to Hill’s jokes about priests, nuns, and politicians. Hill was especially known for his mockery of Margaret Thatcher, the British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990. He impersonated her in several sketches, portraying her as a bossy, arrogant, and incompetent leader. Some rumors even suggested that Thatcher herself was behind the cancellation of the show in 1989, although there is no evidence to support this claim.
The show’s popularity declined in the late 1980s, as the public taste changed and new forms of comedy emerged. Hill’s style was seen as outdated, repetitive, and offensive by some viewers. ITV decided to end the show in 1989, after 58 episodes. Hill was devastated by the news, and felt betrayed by the network. He did not make any public statement, and retreated from the spotlight.
The Final Years
After the cancellation of his show, Hill became depressed and isolated. He lived alone in his apartment in London, and rarely left his home. He suffered from various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. He also developed a drinking problem, and consumed large amounts of alcohol to cope with his loneliness and sadness. He had few friends and relatives, and no romantic partner. He never married, and had no children. He once said, “I can’t get excited about women because I’m not a good lover. I don’t have much to offer a woman apart from friendship.”
Hill died on April 20, 1992, of a heart attack. He was found by his producer and friend, Dennis Kirkland, who had not heard from him for several days. He was lying on his sofa, surrounded by piles of fan mail, scripts, and videotapes. He had been dead for two days, and no one had noticed. He was buried in a private ceremony, attended by a few family members and colleagues. He left his fortune of £10 million to his parents, who had died before him, and to his nephew and niece.
The Legacy
Despite his tragic and lonely death, Benny Hill left a lasting legacy in the world of comedy. His show influenced many comedians and shows, such as Monty Python, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Little Britain. His fans and admirers include celebrities like Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jackson, Burt Reynolds, and Robin Williams. His sketches and songs are still watched and enjoyed by millions of people around the world, who appreciate his wit, creativity, and charm. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most original comedians of all time.
Benny Hill was a genius. He was a true pop culture phenomenon, who made people laugh for four decades. He was also a complex and lonely man, who faced criticism and rejection. He was a comedy legend, who died alone. He was Benny Hill.
