Tony Hancock | es

Anthony John Hancock, best known as Tony Hancock (12th May 1924 – 25th June 1968) was a major figure in British television and radio comedy in the 1950s and 1960s. He was both loved and admired by his public, and when he appeared on stage in the late fifties/early sixties, playing in 2,000+ seater theatres, his star burned brightly, and audiences flocked to see him.

Considered by many to be (together with his scriptwriters - Ray Galton & Alan Simpson, and producer Dennis Main-Wilson), the originator(s) of the British 'sitcom', his radio 'Half Hours', and later his output on television are seen as the yardstick by which programmes of that genre are still measured.

He learnt his craft as a comic - or more accurately as a comic actor, through amateur performances in local theatre in the Bournemouth area, and then in the RAF, and later, (as a professional) at the Windmill Theatre, in a double act with Derek Scott. In his early career, Hancock was influenced (amongst others), by Sid Field, (who also hailed from Birmingham).

His motives for change throughout his career were often misunderstood, as were his striving for perfection in his art. He had a manic-depressive personality , which was later fuelled by alcoholism. Back in the 1950s/1960s such conditions were not fully understood and he did not receive the sort of help to resolve these problems, that he could have called upon today.

Unable to come to terms with the (perceived ) rejection in his personal life, and coupled with the difficulties in his career, Hancock took his own life in Australia in June 1968 .

His comedic genius remains undiminished over the years, and no one yet has filled the unique place that he still holds in the pantheon of comedy greats. .