Article on Benny hill from 2019.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6961481/The-sad-life-Benny-Hill-comedian-lonely-depressed-scared-spending-money.html
The sad, secret life of Benny Hill: The legendary British comedian was 'lonely, depressed and felt ugly' according to a new book which claims he was so frugal that he glued the soles of his tattered shoes back on'
Most people remember British funnyman Benny Hill for his slapstick, risqué humour.
But
in real life, the multi-millionaire entertainer was riddled with
insecurities about his self-worth and had a morbid fear of spending
money.
In Hollywood journalist Craig Bennett's new book, True Confessions of a Shameless Gossip, he recalls speaking at length about Hill with one of the comedian's closest friends, the late Australian actress Sarah Kemp.
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The sad, secret life of Benny Hill:
The legendary British comedian was 'lonely, depressed and felt ugly'
according to a new book which claims he was so frugal that he glued the
soles of his tattered shoes back on'. Pictured on November 20, 1989 in
New York City
According to Ms
Kemp, Hill spent hours confiding in her about how he felt unloved and
unattractive to women - despite his oversexed on-screen persona.
And although he was worth
millions thanks to royalties from The Benny Hill Show, the late actor
was extremely frugal and had a phobia of spending money.
He
was so tight-fisted that he would wear the same clothes until they were
threadbare and even glued the soles of his shoes back on when they
became loose.
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Sad truth: Most people remember
British comedian Benny Hill for his slapstick, risqué humour - but the
real-life character was sad, insecure and almost obsessively
tight-fisted
The comic would only buy groceries when they were on sale, and would walk to the BBC headquarters rather than pay for a taxi.
Owning
a car or his own home was also out of the question, according to Sarah,
as such a large expenditure would have upset Hill.
Hill, who died in 1992 aged 68, is best remembered for fronting The Benny Hill Show, which was popular across the world.
Cheapskate: Although he was worth
millions thanks to royalties from The Benny Hill Show, the late actor
was extremely frugal and had a phobia of spending money
Confidante: In Hollywood journalist
Craig Bennett's new book, True Confessions of a Shameless Gossip, he
recalls speaking at length about Hill with one of the comedian's close
friends, the late Australian actress Sarah Kemp (pictured)
The program consisted of short, often risqué, comedy sketches and aired in more than 140 countries between 1955 and 1991.
Meanwhile,
Sarah Kemp is remembered for playing Charlie Bartlett in the classic
Australian soap opera, Sons and Daughters. She died of lung cancer in
2015 aged 77.
Craig Bennett's book True Confessions of a Shameless Gossip is released on May 1
Tell-all: Craig Bennett's book True Confessions of a Shameless Gossip is released on May 1
The life and times of Benny Hill
Benny
Hill was born Alfred Hill on January 21, 1925 in Southampton, England
and is remembered by family and schoolmates as a 'class clown'.
He was apparently already earning money at the age of six by entertaining punters at the beach with popular songs.
As
a teenager, he dropped out of school and worked as a milkman before
seeking his fortune in London, where he found an entry-level job in the
props department of a theatre company.
Hill
made his theatrical debut after an actor showed up to work drunk and
had to be replaced. The director was reportedly impressed by the young
stagehand's impressions backstage and decided to give him a chance.
He
later served in the British Army during World War II. During this time,
he entertained the troops in variety shows and adopted the professional
name 'Benny Hill' in homage to comedian Jack Benny.
Life and times: Benny Hill was born
Alfred Hill on January 21, 1925 in Southampton, England and is
remembered by family and schoolmates as a 'class clown'. Pictured on
The Benny Hill Show in 1968 with Belgian actress Bettina Le Beau
Following
the war, he performed in London music halls and got his big break in
television after MC'ing at a BBC entertainment show.
The
Benny Hill Show (1955 - 1991) became a global success and eventually
made him a star in America once it began airing there in the '70s.
He
was known for his raucous and racy sense of humour, involving
scantily-clad young actresses, slapstick gags and cross-dressing.
However,
his style of comedy eventually became unfashionable as tastes changed
and The Benny Hill Show is remembered by some as vulgar and sexist.
Hill's
health declined in the late '80s and he died in London on April 20
1992 aged 68, two months after suffering a mild heart attack. The cause
of death was recorded as coronary thrombosis.
Laughter until the end: Hill's
health declined in the late '80s and he died in London on April 20 1992
aged 68, two months after suffering a mild heart attack. The cause of
death was recorded as coronary thrombosis. Pictured in hospital
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