Norman Wisdom

Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE (4 February 1915 – 4 October 2010) was an English actor, comedian, musician, and singer best known for his series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966, in which he portrayed the endearingly inept character Norman Pitkin. He rose to prominence with his first leading film role in Trouble in Store (1953), which earned him the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.

Wisdom’s appeal extended far beyond the UK, gaining popularity in areas as diverse as South America, Iran, and many nations within the former Eastern Bloc. He enjoyed particular fame in Albania, where, during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha, his films were among the few Western productions allowed to be shown. He was once described by Charlie Chaplin as his "favourite clown".

In later years, Wisdom broadened his career to include stage and television. He performed on Broadway in New York City alongside stars such as Mandy Patinkin, and won critical acclaim for his dramatic performance as a terminally ill cancer patient in the 1981 television play Going Gently. He also toured internationally, including performances in Australia and South Africa.

Following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, a hospice was named in his honour. In recognition of his contributions to entertainment, Wisdom was awarded the Freedom of the City of both London and Tirana in 1995. The same year, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1995 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and for charitable services. He was knighted in the 2000 New Year Honours for services to entertainment.

Norman Joseph Wisdom was born in the Marylebone district of London. His parents were Frederick, a chauffeur, and Maud Wisdom (née Targett), a dressmaker who often worked for West End theatres and once made a dress for Queen Mary. The couple married in Marylebone on 15 July 1912. Norman had an elder brother, Frederick Thomas "Fred" Wisdom (13 December 1912 – 1 July 1971).^{[citation needed]}

The family lived at 91 Fernhead Road, Maida Vale, London W9, where all four shared a single room. Norman and his brother grew up in extreme poverty and were frequently subjected to violence by their alcoholic father, who would sometimes pick them up and throw them across the room.

Following the separation of their parents, the boys were "farmed out to paid guardians", but their father failed to pay for their care, and they were eventually turned out. After being expelled from the home entirely by their father, Norman became homeless and was forced to sleep rough on the streets of London.

After a series of unsuccessful foster placements, he was eventually taken in by a generous couple. He soon found work as an errand boy in a grocer's shop, despite not initially knowing how to ride a bicycle. By the age of 13, he was working long shifts in a hotel. One of his fellow boy workers persuaded him to walk to Cardiff with hopes of becoming a miner. However, the boy’s family was unable to house him, and Norman found himself homeless again.