George Formby (born James Lawler Booth; 4 October 1875 â€" 8 February
1921) was an English comedian and singer in musical theatre, known as
one of the greatest music hall performers of the early 20th century.
His comedy played upon Lancashire stereotypes, and he was popular
around Britain. His nickname, "The Wigan Nightingale", was coined
because of the way he would use his bronchial cough as a comedic
device in his act.Formby was born into poverty in the industrial north
west of England; his mother was an alcoholic and part-time prostitute,
and during much of his youth he was maltreated. To earn money he would
sing for pennies on street corners, before he joined a singing duo in
his teens. He began to develop his own act during the 1890s and built
up a following in Lancashire. He also developed a series of stage
characters, including that of "John Willie", which is described by the
cultural historian Jeffrey Richards as "the archetypal gormless
Lancashire lad ... hen-pecked, accident-prone, but muddling through."
Formby also had a successful recording career and made the transition
from music hall to revue in 1916.His health had always been poor, but
a stage accident in 1916 weakened Formby's lungs, and he suffered
increasingly for the next few years, reducing his ability to perform.
Tuberculosis and influenzaâ€"the latter contracted in the pandemic of
1918â€"weakened his constitution further, and he died of pulmonary
tuberculosis in 1921 at the early age of 45. Formby's act, and one of
his costumes and canes, inspired Charlie Chaplin in the formation of
his character the Tramp. Formby's son also used parts of his father's
act when starting his stage career and, once established, also changed
his name to George Formby; Formby Jr went on to become the top British
male star in box office takings between 1937 and 1943.
1921) was an English comedian and singer in musical theatre, known as
one of the greatest music hall performers of the early 20th century.
His comedy played upon Lancashire stereotypes, and he was popular
around Britain. His nickname, "The Wigan Nightingale", was coined
because of the way he would use his bronchial cough as a comedic
device in his act.Formby was born into poverty in the industrial north
west of England; his mother was an alcoholic and part-time prostitute,
and during much of his youth he was maltreated. To earn money he would
sing for pennies on street corners, before he joined a singing duo in
his teens. He began to develop his own act during the 1890s and built
up a following in Lancashire. He also developed a series of stage
characters, including that of "John Willie", which is described by the
cultural historian Jeffrey Richards as "the archetypal gormless
Lancashire lad ... hen-pecked, accident-prone, but muddling through."
Formby also had a successful recording career and made the transition
from music hall to revue in 1916.His health had always been poor, but
a stage accident in 1916 weakened Formby's lungs, and he suffered
increasingly for the next few years, reducing his ability to perform.
Tuberculosis and influenzaâ€"the latter contracted in the pandemic of
1918â€"weakened his constitution further, and he died of pulmonary
tuberculosis in 1921 at the early age of 45. Formby's act, and one of
his costumes and canes, inspired Charlie Chaplin in the formation of
his character the Tramp. Formby's son also used parts of his father's
act when starting his stage career and, once established, also changed
his name to George Formby; Formby Jr went on to become the top British
male star in box office takings between 1937 and 1943.
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