Charles Murray (comedian)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles "Chic" Murray (6 November 1919 - 29 January 1985) was a comedian and actor. Born Charles Thomas McKinnon Murray in Greenock, Inverclyde, Scotland.
He appeared in various roles on British television and film, notably in Casino Royale; and he portrayed Bill Shankly in a musical. In 2005, Murray was named in The Comedian's Comedian.
[edit] Life and career
Chic Murray began an apprenticeship in engineering at Kincaid's shipyard in 1934, whilst employing his musical talents in amateur groups such as "The Whinhillbillies" and "Chic and His Chicks". He formed a double-act with his wife, Maidi Dickson. Billed as "The Tall Droll with the Small Doll" their combination of jokes and songs made them a popular attraction on television and in theatres throughout the country. The peak of their success was in 1956 when they were selected to appear in the Royal Variety Show at the London Palladium, but because of the Suez crisis, this show was cancelled.
Later, working as a solo act, with a forbidding expression and omnipresent "bunnet", Chic offered a comic vision of the world that was absurd, surreal and absolutely unique. Much-mimicked and much-loved by his fellow professionals, he acted in films such as Casino Royale (1967), appeared as the headmaster in Gregory's Girl (1980) and played Liverpool Football Club manager Bill Shankly in the musical play You'll Never Walk Alone (1984). He died in Edinburgh in 1985 at the age of sixty-five.
[edit] Legacy
- In 2005, Murray was named in The Comedian's Comedian, a poll where comedians chose their own favourite or most influential comedian.
- Neither Here Nor There was a BBC Radio 2 series about Murray's life.
[edit] External links
- This entry based with permission on web site which includes A collection of some of Chic's jokes
- Gazetteer for Scotland: Charles (Chic) Murray
- Charles Murray at the Internet Movie Database
