- Born
- Died
- Birth nameArthur Bowden Askey
- Nickname
- Big Hearted Arthur
- Height5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
- Arthur Askey was a diminutive British comedian, born in 1900. He began his professional career as a music hall performer in 1924, but it wasn't until 1938's BBC radio series "Band Waggon" (which lasted for three seasons), that he became a household name in England. His film debut was in the 1937 British feature Calling All Stars (1937), but then, in 1939, Band Waggon (1940) swooped in again and made him a film star with a film following on from when Arthur and co-star Richard "Stinker" Murdoch were evicted from their beloved flat. Film stardom carried Arthur through to the mid-1940s, but it wasn't till 1956 when he starred in another film, Ramsbottom Rides Again (1956). He started his own television show, The Arthur Askey Show (1961), where he was the main player, and that carried on till his retirement. He died in 1982.
- IMDb mini biography by: Slick-50
- SpouseElizabeth May Swash(March 23, 1925 - 1974) (her death, 1 child)
- Children
- Catch phrase: "Hello, playmates"
- The Bee Song
- Thick black rimmed spectacles
- Catch phrase: "I thank you." (pronounced "Ay-thang-yaw.")
- He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1969 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to entertainment.
- He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1981 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to entertainment.
- Daughter Anthea Askey
- Arthur attended The Liverpool Institute High School for Boys, which included The Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and the late George Harrison, amongst its former pupils.
- Suffered a serious accident whilst performing on stage. A trapdoor suddenly opened where Arthur Askey stood and he fell several feet.
- I Thank You
- Before your very eyes!
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