Benny Hill

Born Alfred Hawthorn Hill (January 21, 1924/1925 - April 20, 1992), Benny Hill was a prolific comic British actor. In fact, he was one of the most universally recognized British comedians. He worked compulsively and had only a few friends, although colleagues who knew him closely insist that he was never lonely, but was content with his own company. He never married, although he did propose to two women, one the daughter of a British writer, and was rejected by both. He never owned his own home, nor even a car, instead preferring to rent a small flat in Teddington, a convenient walking distance to the Teddington Studios where he taped the one-off one-hour episodes of his television programme, The Benny Hill Show.

Death

Hill's health began declining in the early 1990s. Weighing 108 kg (17 stone or 238 lb) at 1.79 m (5 feet, 10½ inches) tall, he suffered heart problems related to his obesity. On February 11 1992, doctors told him that he needed to lose 13 kg (28 lb), and recommended a heart bypass. He declined, and was diagnosed a week later with renal failure. Hill passed away "on or about April 20", alone in his flat, at the age of 68 (or 67 - some sources give Hill's year of birth as 1925). The cause of death was listed as coronary thrombosis. Following a foul smell, neighbours found his body on April 24 sitting in an armchair. (His death closely coincided with that of another British comedy icon, Frankie Howerd, who died on April 19.)

Related Topics:
1990s - February 11 - 1992 - Heart bypass - Renal failure - April 20 - 1925 - Coronary thrombosis - April 24 - Frankie Howerd - April 19

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Hill's will had left his estimated £10 million (GBP) estate to his late parents. Next in line were his brother and sister, Leonard and Diana, neither of whom he had enjoyed the closest of relationships with and both of whom were also deceased. This left his seven nieces and nephews, amongst whom the money—approximately £7.5 million—was divided. A note was found among his belongings assigning huge sums of money to his close friends Sue Upton, Louise English, Henry McGee, Bob Todd and Dennis Kirkland, but because it was neither signed nor witnessed, the note had no legal standing.

Related Topics:
Will - GBP - Sue Upton - Louise English - Henry McGee - Bob Todd - Dennis Kirkland

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