Person Open DS/UK/8195 Wisdom; Sir; Norman (4 February 1915-4 October 2010); OBE; English actor, comedian and singer songwriter Wisdom Norman Sir 4 February 1915-4 October 2010 English actor, comedian and singer songwriter Male Norman Joseph Wisdom Marylebone, London, England (born)

Ballasalla, Isle of Man (died)

English Actor White Son of Frederick Wisdom (chauffeur) and Maud Targett (dressmaker). His mother often worked for West End theatres and made a dress for Queen Mary. They lived in extreme poverty. Heterosexual Sir Norman Wisdom OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character that was often called Norman Pitkin. He was awarded the 1953 BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles following the release of Trouble in Store, his first film in a lead role. Wisdom gained celebrity status in lands as far apart as South America, Iran and many Eastern Bloc countries, particularly in Albania where his films were the only ones by Western actors permitted by dictator Enver Hoxha to be shown. Charlie Chaplin once referred to Wisdom as his "favourite clown". Wisdom later forged a career on Broadway in New York and as a television actor, winning critical acclaim for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the television play Going Gently in 1981. He toured Australia and South Africa. After the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, a hospice was named in his honour. Awards, Honours and Legacy: In 1995 he was given the Freedom of the City of London and of Tirana. The same year he was appointed OBE and was knighted five years later. Memberships: Wisdom was a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats, and an honorary member of the Winkle Club, a charity in Hastings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Wisdom (2020) International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Yes Sexual offences/misconduct Actress Fenella Fielding, who worked with Wisdom on his 1959 film Follow a Star, said he was "not a very pleasant man. Always making a pass..." Lynda Bellingham, who worked with him on A Little Bit of Wisdom, recalled a sketch where "for ten minutes I stood there while he basically touched me up and you couldn't say anything because he was the master of comedy." Singer Tina Charles, who had a number one with "I Love To Love" in 1976, alleged that Wisdom molested her in his dressing room. RAHdroberts 10/1/2013 RAHAKirkbride 5/26/2022 ae2b6435-f129-4204-aa1b-94557d22a5cd