Leslie Lincoln Henson (3 August 1891 â€" 2 December 1957) was an
English comedian, actor, producer for films and theatre, and film
director. He initially worked in silent films and Edwardian musical
comedy and became a popular music hall comedian who enjoyed a long
stage career. He was famous for his bulging eyes, malleable face and
raspy voice and helped to form the Entertainments National Service
Association (ENSA) during the Second World War.Born in Notting Hill,
London, Henson became interested in the theatre from an early age,
writing and producing theatrical pieces while at school. He studied
with "the Cairnsâ€"James School of Musical and Dramatic Art as a
child, making his professional stage début at the age of 19. His
first West End role was in Nicely, Thanks! (1912) and he later starred
in several hit West End Edwardian musical comedies, including
To-Night's the Night (1915) and Yes, Uncle! (1917). After briefly
serving with the Royal Flying Corps, he was released from active
service by the British government to help run a concert party called
"The Gaieties", which provided entertainment for the troops during
World War I. After the war, he returned to the West End, playing in
Kissing Time (1919) and a series of musical comedies and farces
throughout the 1920s and 1930s.At the start of World War II, together
with Basil Dean, he helped to form ENSA, with which he entertained
British troops abroad. Henson's postwar stage success continued in
revues, musicals and plays, including a West End adaptation of The
Diary of a Nobody in 1955. Henson's film career was intermittent, and
he made 14 films from 1916 to 1956. The most notable of these was Tons
of Money in 1924, which introduced the popular Aldwych farces to
British cinema audiences. In 1956, Henson's friend Bobby Hullett died
in circumstances that struck him as suspicious. Henson anonymously
notified the police that her doctor, John Bodkin Adams, should be
investigated. Adams was subsequently tried for a different murder but
acquitted.
English comedian, actor, producer for films and theatre, and film
director. He initially worked in silent films and Edwardian musical
comedy and became a popular music hall comedian who enjoyed a long
stage career. He was famous for his bulging eyes, malleable face and
raspy voice and helped to form the Entertainments National Service
Association (ENSA) during the Second World War.Born in Notting Hill,
London, Henson became interested in the theatre from an early age,
writing and producing theatrical pieces while at school. He studied
with "the Cairnsâ€"James School of Musical and Dramatic Art as a
child, making his professional stage début at the age of 19. His
first West End role was in Nicely, Thanks! (1912) and he later starred
in several hit West End Edwardian musical comedies, including
To-Night's the Night (1915) and Yes, Uncle! (1917). After briefly
serving with the Royal Flying Corps, he was released from active
service by the British government to help run a concert party called
"The Gaieties", which provided entertainment for the troops during
World War I. After the war, he returned to the West End, playing in
Kissing Time (1919) and a series of musical comedies and farces
throughout the 1920s and 1930s.At the start of World War II, together
with Basil Dean, he helped to form ENSA, with which he entertained
British troops abroad. Henson's postwar stage success continued in
revues, musicals and plays, including a West End adaptation of The
Diary of a Nobody in 1955. Henson's film career was intermittent, and
he made 14 films from 1916 to 1956. The most notable of these was Tons
of Money in 1924, which introduced the popular Aldwych farces to
British cinema audiences. In 1956, Henson's friend Bobby Hullett died
in circumstances that struck him as suspicious. Henson anonymously
notified the police that her doctor, John Bodkin Adams, should be
investigated. Adams was subsequently tried for a different murder but
acquitted.
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