Norman Wisdom
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- February 4, 1915
- Died
- October 4, 2010
- Birthplace
- Marylebone, London, England
Sir Norman Joseph Wisdom, OBE was an English actor, comedian and singer-songwriter best known for a series of comedy films produced between 1953 and 1966 featuring his hapless onscreen character Norman Pitkin. These films initially made more money than the James Bond film series, and secured Wisdom a celebrity status in lands as far apart as South America, Iran and many Eastern Bloc countries, particularly in Albania where his films were permitted by Enver Hoxha – Wisdom was the only Western actor to enjoy this privilege. Charlie Chaplin famously referred to Wisdom as his "favourite clown". Wisdom later forged a career on Broadway and as a television actor, winning critical acclaim for his dramatic role of a dying cancer patient in the television play Going Gently in 1981. It was broadcast on 5 June that year. He toured Australia and South Africa. After the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, a hospice was named in his honour. In 1995 he was given the Freedom of the City of London and of Tirana. The same year he received an OBE. Wisdom was knighted in 2000 and spent much of his later life on the Isle of Man. Some of his later appearances included roles in Last of the Summer Wine and Coronation Street, and he retired from acting at the age of 90 after his health declined.
Filmography
Innes Lloyd: The Producer 2025
as Self (archive footage)
- The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom
The Unforgettable Norman Wisdom 2011
as Himself (archive footage)
Norman Wisdom: His Story 2010
as Himself : Archive footage
Norman Wisdom: Trouble On Tour 2008
as Self
The Legend of Harrow Woods 2008
as Winston
- The Secret Life of Norman Wisdom Aged 92¾
The Secret Life of Norman Wisdom Aged 92¾ 2008
as Self
Expresso 2007
as The Vicar (as Sir Norman Wisdom)
Five Children and It 2004
Actor
Thora Hird Tribute 2003
as Self
Where on Earth Is Katy Manning? 1998
Actor
An Audience with Bruce Forsyth 1997
Actor
- Cue Here for Laughs with John Virgo
Cue Here for Laughs with John Virgo 1994
as Self
Double X: The Name of the Game 1992
as Arthur Clutton/Maurice Rigby
- The Golden Gong: The Story of Rank Films - British Cinema's Legendary Studio
The Golden Gong: The Story of Rank Films - British Cinema's Legendary Studio 1985
as Self
Going Gently 1981
as Bernard Flood
To See Such Fun 1977
Actor
What's Good for the Goose 1969
as Timothy Bartlett
The Night They Raided Minsky's 1968
as Chick Williams
Androcles and the Lion 1967
as Androcles
Press for Time 1966
as Norman Shields / Emily Shields / Wilfred, the Prime Minister, Screenplay
The Sandwich Man 1966
as Boxing Vicar
The Early Bird 1965
as Norman Pitkin
A Stitch in Time 1963
as Norman Pitkin, Writer
On the Beat 1962
as Norman Pitkin / Giulio Napolitani, Screenplay
The Girl on the Boat 1962
as Sam Marlowe
The Bulldog Breed 1960
as Ordinary Seaman Norman Puckle, Screenplay
There Was a Crooked Man 1960
as Davy Cooper
Look at Life: A Dog's Life 1959
as Self
Follow a Star 1959
as Norman Truscott, Screenplay
The Square Peg 1958
as Private Norman Pitkin / General Otto Schreiber, Screenplay
Just My Luck 1957
as Norman Hackett / Mr. Hackett
Up in the World 1956
as Norman
Man of the Moment 1955
as Norman
As Long As They're Happy 1955
as Norman
One Good Turn 1955
as Norman
Trouble in Store 1953
as Norman
Date with a Dream 1948
as Shadow Boxer
Credits from TMDB.