Let's Discover Celebrities - Benny Hill

This page is dedicated in loving memory of Benny Hill, a great comedian known throughout the world for his racy humour, witty songs, and winning smile. Always seen with a leer on his face and a beautiful woman at his side, Benny Hill has charmed millions if not billions of people around the world.

The son of a surgical appliance fitter, Alfred Hawthorne Hill was born on the 21st January 1924 in Southampton in the south of England.  He was destined to become one of Britain's best loved personalities. During World War II he was evacuated to Bournemouth where he enjoyed appearing in school productions. After leaving school he worked in a variety of different jobs including being a milkman in Eastleigh, Hampshire, a bridge operator, and a driver. Alfred Hill got his first break into show business when he became an assistant stage manager. Inspired by the stars of British music hall he set his sights on making his mark as a comedian. Alfred Hill changed his first name to 'Benny' in homage to his favourite comedian, Jack Benny. He soon started to get booked by working men's clubs and Masonic dinners.  Before long he was working in nightclubs and theatres including a stint as Reg Varney's straight man.  He started working in radio and in 1949 made his first television appearance in the show 'Hi There'.  The first 'Benny Hill Show' went out on BBC Television in 1955. It also sold to over 90 different countries including Russia and China and was syndicated on American television from 1979.

In 1964, he played Bottom in an all-star TV film production of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. He also did a radio programme, 'Benny Hill Time', between 1964 and 1966. And lets not forget his singing.  'Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)' reached number one in the U.K. chart at Christmas 1971.  He was nominated for two Primetime Emmys.

Benny Hill was a workaholic, dedicated to his craft.  He had few close friends and clearly enjoyed his own company. He never married, although he did propose to two women and was rejected by both. His mother died in 1976 aged 82, and Benny kept the family house at 22 Westrow Gardens in Southampton as a shrine to her, not changing anything. he always rented when staying in London.

Benny Hill liked to travel and enjoyed frequent visits to Marseille in France. Before the 1980s he was seldom recognised there but not after becoming an international star.  Besides being fluent in French he could get by quite well in German, Dutch and Italian. While away he always kept his eyes and ears sharp for new comedy ideas.

When not working Benny Hill lived quietly in the small town of Waterlooville in Hampshire. A victim of a heart attack, Benny died, alone in his small flat on the 19th. April 1992 aged 68. He is buried at Hollybrook Cemetery in Southampton. Persecuted though he was, towards the end of his career, by a misguided bunch of humourless feminist extremists, he never lost the admiration of millions.

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