Stan Laurel

Stan Laurel was a British-born American actor, comedian, writer, and director who was best known as one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. He was born in Ulverston, Lancashire, England, on 16 June 1890 to Arthur J. Jefferson, an actor and theatre manager, and Margaret Metcalfe, an actress. He attended school in Bishop Auckland and Tynemouth and joined the theatre at an early age. He worked as a music hall comedian and an understudy for Charlie Chaplin in Fred Karno's troupe. He moved to the United States with the troupe in 1910 and began his film career in 1917. He met Oliver Hardy in 1921 when they appeared together in the short film The Lucky Dog, but they did not become an official team until 1927 when they were paired by producer Hal Roach. They went on to make over 100 films together, both silent and sound, featuring their trademark slapstick humor and contrasting personalities. Some of their most famous films include Big Business (1929), The Music Box (1932), Sons of the Desert (1933), Way Out West (1937), and Block-Heads (1938). They also toured extensively in Europe and performed live shows for their fans. Laurel was the creative force behind the duo, writing and directing many of their films and developing their gags and routines. He also influenced many other comedians, such as Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Lewis, Peter Sellers, and John Cleese. Laurel was married four times and had two children with his first wife Lois Neilson. He had a difficult personal life, suffering from diabetes, alcoholism, legal disputes, and marital problems. He retired from acting after Hardy's death in 1957 and spent his last years answering fan mail and writing sketches that were never produced. He received an Academy Honorary Award in 1961 for his contributions to comedy. He died of a heart attack on 23 February 1965 at the age of 74 in Santa Monica, California. He was cremated and his ashes were interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.¹