Biography

Charles Hawtrey

Jump to

Overview

Born
November 30, 1914 · Hounslow, Middlesex, England, UK
Died
October 27, 1988 · Walmer, Kent, England, UK (cardiovascular illness)
Birth name
George Frederick Joffe Hartree
Nickname
- Charlie
Height
5′ 7″ (1.70 m)

Mini bio

Coming from a theatrical family (although not related to the famous Edwardian actor Sir Charles Hawtrey, he did "borrow" his last name), Charles Hawtrey made his stage debut at age 11 after having spent several years in a prestigious acting school. A string of stage roles followed, and by 1929 his success led him to move into radio. His success in that medium led to his entry into films, often working alongside noted comedian Will Hay. He continued his stage, radio and film work, although he scored more success on stage.

In 1958 he began work in the series for which he would achieve his greatest fame, the "Carry On" comedies. His stringy build, birdlike features, what has been described as his "outrageously posh" voice and his somewhat fey character's eccentricities made him one of the most popular of the "Carry On" gang. However, that very popularity indirectly led to his exit from the series. He believed that his character's prominence, and the fact that he had more experience in the business than most of his co-stars, entitled him to receive a higher billing in the series than he was getting. The producers didn't see it that way, and after Carry on Abroad (1972), he departed the series. Hawtrey was, by most accounts, almost as eccentric in real life as his character in the "Carry On" series was; one of his characteristics was to speak in an unintelligible language of his own making, which was only understood by a few of his closest friends. After he left the series he semi-retired from the business, making an occasional appearance in a movie or TV show. He had suffered from arthritis for a long time, and by 1988 his doctors told him that the condition had become so serious that his legs would have to be amputated in order to save his life. He refused, and died almost a month later. He was 73.
- IMDb mini biography by: frankfob2@yahoo.com

Family

Parents

Trademarks

Wire frame "National Health" glasses
Catchphrase - "Oh hello!"
Bird-like features.

Trivia

He lived in an old smuggler's cottage near the seafront at Deal, from which he was rescued during a fire in 1984.
Had a very unusual acting style, where he would often deliver his lines directly to the camera. This is obvious throughout many of the "Carry On..." films and was encouraged by director Gerald Thomas. His acting style, laugh and spectacles became instantly recognizable trademarks.
A fan of the "Carry On" series in which Hawtrey starred, John Lennon introduces the song "Two of Us" by saying, "I dig a Pygmy by Charles Hawtrey and the Deaf Aids . . . Phase One in which Doris gets her oats," on The Beatles "Let It Be" album.
Along with Sidney James, Kenneth Williams, and Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques he became one of the longest serving Carry On stars, appearing in 23 of the films.
Hit the headlines after his house caught fire on 5 August 1984. He had gone to bed with a much younger man and had left a cigarette burning on his sofa. When the fire brigade arrived, he insisted on being rescued by the biggest fireman. Newspaper photographs from the time show a fireman carrying an emotional, partially clothed and toupee-less Hawtrey down a ladder to safety. According to some reports a 15-year-old rent boy set fire to the house after Hawtrey refused to pay him.

Quotes

[in reference to the Carry On films] Those films haven't made me rich but they've given me a world wide identity.
[in 1984, speaking about Carry on Sergeant (1958) and his salary on the Carry On films] We worked for bread money. Nobody would take them, I was in the first one, Carry on Sergeant (1958), it was an idea of Peter Rogers, who is quite a clever fella. He didn't write it, but he had the idea. So he hawked it around and nobody would take it. He eventually went to two gentlemen at Anglo Amalgamated, and what happened--they made a fortune.