In pictures: the life of Norman Wisdom

Highlights from the life and career of Norman Wisdom, one of Britain's best-loved comedy stars, who has died aged 95
  
  


Norman Wisdom: GTV ARCHIVE
The actor, once said to have described himself as a 'short-arse who's been lucky' became a film star with Trouble In Store in 1953. The movie was the first of the Wisdom comedies that would provide the Rank Organisation with yearly commercial hits well into the 1960s. Here he is pictured with Margaret Rutherford Photograph: ITV / Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Jerry Desmonde and Norman Wisdom in the Film 'A Stitch In Time'
Wisdom with Jerry Desmonde in A Stitch In Time (1963), directed By Robert Asher. Sir Norman enjoyed huge popularity in Albania, where his films were shown during the brutal communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha. Films such as A Stitch In Time and Trouble In Store were among the few western movies allowed to be screened in the country at the time Photograph: Allstar
Norman Wisdom: 1955, Man Of The Moment, Norman Wisdom
With Belinda Lee in Man Of The Moment (1955), directed by John Paddy Carstairs Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom In film 'The Square Peg'
In The Square Peg (1959), another film directed by John Paddy Carstairs Photograph: Allstar
Norman Wisdom: GTV ARCHIVE
Up in the World (1956) Photograph: ITV / Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Sir Norman Wisdom With His Mother Maude Wisdom Actor
Sir Norman with his mother, Maude Wisdom. He had a tough upbringing: sleeping in the same room as his whole family; a spell in a children's home, then employment by the Merchant Navy at a young age Photograph: Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom with his wife Freda and children Jacqueline and Nicholas
With his wife Freda and two children, Jacqueline and Nicholas, at the piano in 1956 Photograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images
Norman Wisdom: The Bulldog Breed' 1960, Norman Wisdom and Julie Shearing
With Julie Shearing in The Bulldog Breed (1960) Photograph: ITV / Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom amidst a crowd of young fans in Finsbury Park
Amid a crowd of young fans in Finsbury Park, 9 June 1977 Photograph: Getty Images/Evening Standard
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom & Raymond Huntley in thr Film 'On The Beat'
Soaking Raymond Huntley in On The Beat (1962), directed By Robert Asher Photograph: Allstar
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom 1965
Among headgear in 1965. Charlie Chaplin once said: 'Norman is my favourite clown' Photograph: Dezo Hoffmann/Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom in Last Of The Summer Wine
With Brian Wilde, Peter Sallis and Bill Owen in Last Of The Summer Wine (1996). In later years, Sir Norman's roles were occasional appearances in TV series such as this and Coronation Street Photograph: Allstar
Norman Wisdom 1: Wisdom staring in Coronation street
In Coronation Street in 2004 playing Ernie Crab, who shows up at the Duckworths' to buy Jack Duckworth's exercise bike Photograph: ITV / Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom 1995
In 1995, still enjoying young ladies' company Photograph: Nils Jorgensen/Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom Aboard Hms Ark Royal 2002
Aboard HMS Ark Royal at Southampton in July 2002 Photograph: Solent News / Rex Features
Norman Wisdom 1: Wisdom Celebrates 50 years in showbusiness with the launch of his own stamp
Celebrating 50 years in showbusiness with the launch of his very own stamp in 1999 Photograph: Terry Williams/Rex Features
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom after receiving his Knighthood
After receiving his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace Photograph: John Stillwell/PA
Norman Wisdom: Norman Wisdom with the queen
Meeting the Queen during her visit to the Isle of Man. Wisdom broke with royal protocol by grabbing her arm as she walked away from him Photograph: Phil Noble/PA
Norman Wisdom: Sir Norman Wisdom plays up to the camera during filming for his latest role
Playing up to the camera during filming for his last role in a short film entitled Expresso. He came out of retirement aged 91 to appear in the film, doing a comic turn as a vicar being plagued by a fly Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
 

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