- 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 Band Waggon (1940) (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, of course, 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)
- 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
- Suffered a serious accident whilst performing on stage. A trapdoor suddenly opened where Arthur Askey stood and he fell several feet.
- The TV rights to all of Arthur Askey's films have been bought by pop producer fan Pete Waterman.
- I Thank You
- Before your very eyes!
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