Norman Wisdom
Birthday: 4 February 1915, Marylebone, London, England, UK
Birth Name: Norman Joseph Wisdom
Height: 157 cm
Norman Wisdom has become the great British clown very much in the mould of Charles Chaplin with his "little man" in the ill fitting suit and cloth cap. His character is "everyman", ...Show More
I like consistency. If you've had a childhood like mine, you want some things you can rely on to sta Show more
I like consistency. If you've had a childhood like mine, you want some things you can rely on to stay the same. Hide
I still regard myself as a short-arse who's been lucky, although I've worked for it.
I still regard myself as a short-arse who's been lucky, although I've worked for it.
You know I've got a chum, a smashing mate, he's got a dog with no legs, and he calls it a cigarette. Show more
You know I've got a chum, a smashing mate, he's got a dog with no legs, and he calls it a cigarette. It's true, yeah, because at nighttime he has to take it out for a drag. Hide
I don't know nothing about communism. But I know the Albanians loved me. Same reason as anyone else Show more
I don't know nothing about communism. But I know the Albanians loved me. Same reason as anyone else loves me. Because I made them laugh. Hide
I do play drums when I'm on tour.
I do play drums when I'm on tour.
I must admit I like to muck around a bit; I always have.
I must admit I like to muck around a bit; I always have.
I've an idea for doing a Situation Comedy myself but its always difficult to get people to listen to Show more
I've an idea for doing a Situation Comedy myself but its always difficult to get people to listen to you because they like to put their own ideas forward. Hide
I've got one idea I want to do for a film and you know I just enjoy myself doing bits and pieces.
I've got one idea I want to do for a film and you know I just enjoy myself doing bits and pieces.
In fact, one was so booked out we went from March and were to go till November, but the pantomime wa Show more
In fact, one was so booked out we went from March and were to go till November, but the pantomime was booked so they transferred the show to the Prince of Wales Theatre because it was so packed out, and it ran on from there. Hide
I can never tell a joke, I've always found it easier to just fall over
I can never tell a joke, I've always found it easier to just fall over
I've done seven shows at the Palladium - long running shows I'm talking about.
I've done seven shows at the Palladium - long running shows I'm talking about.
When you're as famous as I am, stories take on a life of their own.
When you're as famous as I am, stories take on a life of their own.
Well if I was going to describe my audience, it's going to take longer than you'd ever expect, hundr Show more
Well if I was going to describe my audience, it's going to take longer than you'd ever expect, hundreds of years in fact, because there's many of them, all over the world. Hide
As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other Show more
As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can't remember the other two. Hide
I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were very sorry.
I was born in very sorry circumstances. Both of my parents were very sorry.
But no, I've just been very lucky. But I've worked hard, and the harder you work, the luckier you se Show more
But no, I've just been very lucky. But I've worked hard, and the harder you work, the luckier you seem to get. Hide
My father used to be away for months at a time, and he'd never leave any money for food, so my broth Show more
My father used to be away for months at a time, and he'd never leave any money for food, so my brother and I had to go out and nick it. Hide
My only phobia is untidiness. My hair has to be neatly kept; my shoes are always clean. Everything h Show more
My only phobia is untidiness. My hair has to be neatly kept; my shoes are always clean. Everything has to be in a straight line, in its place. Hide
It was smashing working with Jerry Desmonde, he was a very nice chap.
It was smashing working with Jerry Desmonde, he was a very nice chap.
I play drums, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, piano.
I play drums, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, piano.
I've always had a sense of humour, and I still do, so I just want to go on performing as long as I c Show more
I've always had a sense of humour, and I still do, so I just want to go on performing as long as I can. It's as simple as that. Hide
Such is life and life is such and after all it isn't much. First a cradle. Then a hearse. It might h Show more
Such is life and life is such and after all it isn't much. First a cradle. Then a hearse. It might have been better, but it could have been worse. Hide
I'm still constantly thinking of ideas. I don't feel 90. I think I'm about 12.
I'm still constantly thinking of ideas. I don't feel 90. I think I'm about 12.
I owe everything to the army.
I owe everything to the army.
It was absolutely thrilling to meet Laurel and Hardy, they were so nice.
It was absolutely thrilling to meet Laurel and Hardy, they were so nice.
Years ago, there was a variety theatre in every British town, and people paid to go down and see it. Show more
Years ago, there was a variety theatre in every British town, and people paid to go down and see it. Comedy was the main part of the theatre, and comedians earned a living by being funny. Now you have comedy in television instead. Comedians now have to be funny within a play. Hide
What I like doing most is making children laugh.
What I like doing most is making children laugh.
Don't get me wrong: I'm overjoyed with my career to date. But perhaps I could have done more. Mostly Show more
Don't get me wrong: I'm overjoyed with my career to date. But perhaps I could have done more. Mostly, I just did whatever the directors told me to do. Hide
"Mr Grimsdale!" (catch phrase when things went wrong)
"Mr Grimsdale!" (catch phrase when things went wrong)
Of course I've done musicals here in London.
Of course I've done musicals here in London.
At my age, the radiation will probably do me good.
At my age, the radiation will probably do me good.
I had a great day filming Expresso (2007), every minute was worth an hour.
I had a great day filming Expresso (2007), every minute was worth an hour.
There are people who like just ordinary comedy fun, and making mistakes - which I do easily - and th Show more
There are people who like just ordinary comedy fun, and making mistakes - which I do easily - and then there are people who like the falling over. Hide
I have a folder where I keep all the articles the critics have written about me. It makes me feel go Show more
I have a folder where I keep all the articles the critics have written about me. It makes me feel good. Hide
I was born in London, and went to school in Scotland - I used to be dead tired when I got home at ni Show more
I was born in London, and went to school in Scotland - I used to be dead tired when I got home at night. Hide
Most of my comedies were low on budgets - certainly by American standards.
Most of my comedies were low on budgets - certainly by American standards.
I've been making people laugh for 40 years, so I know how important it is!
I've been making people laugh for 40 years, so I know how important it is!
I was in the band as a boy and was taught music and learned to compose.
I was in the band as a boy and was taught music and learned to compose.
My comedy is for children from three to 93. You do need a slightly childish sense of humour and if y Show more
My comedy is for children from three to 93. You do need a slightly childish sense of humour and if you haven't got that, it's very sad. Hide
All my boyhood, all I ever wanted was to be loved.
All my boyhood, all I ever wanted was to be loved.
You see I'm semi-retired now and don't work all the time, only most of it!
You see I'm semi-retired now and don't work all the time, only most of it!
I believe in physical comedy, because that reaches out most to people.
I believe in physical comedy, because that reaches out most to people.
I've been extremely lucky having been in the army when I was a boy of fourteen.
I've been extremely lucky having been in the army when I was a boy of fourteen.
Norman Wisdom's FILMOGRAPHY
All
as Actor (74)
as Creator (4)
