Biography

An amiable, beloved Cockney cut-up from the 1930s on, London-born Tommy Trinder, the son of a tram driver, quit school and sought the stage, milking laughs at the tender age of 13 in a musical revue that was touring South Africa. Following that he became a boy vocalist at Collins' Music-Hall. The wry, rubber-faced comedian gradually built up his name in traveling variety shows, clubs and dance halls, then achieved stardom in the musical revues "Tune In" and "In Town Tonight" (both 1937).

Known for his trademark leering glare, wagging finger, spade-jawed grin, effortless ad-libbing, pork-pie hat and catchphrase "You lucky people!", Trinder made his film debut in 1938 in the musical comedy Save a Little Sunshine (1938). He then top-lined the mild comedy Almost a Honeymoon (1938) and kept things moving in Laugh It Off (1940) and She Couldn't Say No (1940). He scored one of his biggest hits sharing top billing with Claude Hulbert and Michael Wilding in the cheeky WWII comedy Three Cockeyed Sailors (1940), the tale of three tipsy navy buddies who accidentally find themselves aboard a Nazi ship and become heroes. Trinder's standout role, in which he also sang two songs, kept him in the Ealing Studios fold for years to come.

A huge radio favorite, he continued on the live stage at such forums as the London Palladium (where he was a major headliner) while managing to entertain war-weary audiences with his special brand of movie escapism. He provided excellent comedy relief in the war adventure Somewhere in France (1942), then showed a serious side in a moving tribute to firefighters during London's "blitz" with Far into the Night (1943). Back in top comic form with While Nero Fiddled (1944), he stepped into an almost semi-autobiographical role with Champagne Charlie (1944), the story of 1860s music hall entertainer George Leybourne.

Trinder's film career began to wane after the war. He did not appear in another film, in fact, until Bitter Springs (1950). He tested out the new medium of television and eventually became a top presence in variety shows, particularly on Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1955).

In later years the entertainer could still draw heavy crowds especially on stage, in pantomime and in cabaret shows. He also appeared on occasion in film cameos. In 1975, after decades of delighting British audiences, Trinder was designated a Commander in the Order of the British Empire. He died at age 80 from a heart ailment on July 10, 1989. A biography by Patrick Newley entitled "You Lucky People! - The Tommy Trinder Story" was published in 2008.
- IMDb mini biography by: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net

After the Second World War he toured extensively abroad finding great popularity in Australia and while there appeared in the film Bitter Springs and made some commercials for sausages. He stayed there longer than intended so by the time he got back to Britain he found his popularity had diminished and he struggled to get bookings, then early in 1955 he was offered a film called Get Fell In about army recruits and tailored for him and which was retitled You Lucky People to tie in with his catch phrase He came at a price because in addition to his initial fee he demanded a long term agreement for a slice of future profits resulting in everyone feeling the pinch with all costs being carefully scrutinised.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonyman 5

Following a youthful experience dating from 1922 appearing in revues, concert parties and provincial variety performances as a singer, often with humorous asides he began to concentrate on his comedy act in the 1930's while working in cabaret and radio then made his screen debut in Almost a Honeymoon in 1938. the success he enjoyed in a production of radio's Band Wagon at the London Palladium. 1939 was followed by a string of his own shows. His wartime stage popularity was repeated in cinemas with a run of successful films made at Ealing Studios such as Sailors Three (1940) and Fiddlers Three (1944) While mainly in comedies he got the opportunity to do drama with The Foreman Went to France (1942) and The Bells go Down (1943) and a turn to Victorian music hall in Champagne Charlie (1944). Despite his film success he concentrated on stage work with a run of hit shows at the London Palladium plus a supporting role in the Australian film Bitter Springs (1950) and starred in the army comedy You Lucky People (1955), the title being his famous catch phrase. In 1955 came Sunday Night at the London Palladium with him being a natural choice to be the host until his final appearance in May 1958. Despite his success with the show he never fully warmed to television and did have a series of Trinder Box (1959) and was a panel member on My Wildest Dream (56/7) after which he only hosted It's Only Money (1960).A favourite with the Royal Family he made 6 appearances on the Royal Variety Show between 1945 and 1980 and was awarded a CBE in 1975. He died on July 10th 1989..
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonyman 5

His support of his beloved Fulham football club

Catchphrase - "You Lucky People!"