Eric Morecambe

Eric Morecambe OBE was the stage name of Eric John Bartholomew (May 14, 1926 – May 28, 1984), part of the double act of Morecambe and Wise with Ernie Wise. In the UK he is widely considered to have been a "comic genius".

Related Topics:
OBE - May 14 - 1926 - May 28 - 1984 - Double act - Morecambe and Wise - Ernie Wise - UK

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Eric took his stage name from the seaside resort of Morecambe in Lancashire, England, his home town. He and Ernie were both teenagers when they teamed up in 1941, and had still to face national service during World War II when he was a Bevin Boy, conscripted to work in a coal mine.

Related Topics:
Seaside resort - Morecambe - Lancashire - England - 1941 - World War II - Bevin Boy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Before his sudden death, Eric had already suffered a massive heart attack which had forced him to put his career on hold. It was an experience he often talked about publicly. His last appearance was in a live stage performance, immediately following which he collapsed with another heart attack.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In his leisure time, Morecambe was a keen birdwatcher, and the statue of him at Morecambe shows him wearing his binoculars. He was also an enthusiastic football fan and a director of Luton Town F.C.. Morecambe also had a love of Long John Silver impressions, which never left him through his life (one can be seen in the 'Monty on the Bonty' sketch with Arthur Lowe).

Related Topics:
Birdwatcher - Football - Luton Town F.C. - Long John Silver - Arthur Lowe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~