Stan Laurel

Stan Laurel (June 16, 1890 – February 23, 1965), born Arthur Stanley Jefferson, was a comedian and member of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy.

Education

The first school Jefferson went to was in Gainford. He later went to the King James Grammar School in Bishop Auckland, Tynemouth, and also went to school in Glasgow, where he finished his education and went to work in the box office of the Metropole Theatre, which his father managed. His father encouraged him to get into theatre management, but Stan had other plans.

Related Topics:
Gainford - Bishop Auckland - Tynemouth - Glasgow

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At sixteen, he went to Mr. E. Pickard for a 'try out' in his theatre. The act went reasonably well. Although his father did not like the idea, he encouraged him in the field of comedy. In 1907, Stan joined a number of travelling groups until finally he became a member of Fred Karno's travelling group as a bit player. He quickly became the understudy to the group's star performer, Charlie Chaplin. The group went to the United States in 1910 and 1913, but eventually broke up — so Stan and some fellow members tried their luck in vaudeville. From 1916 to 1918, Laurel teamed up with Alice and Baldwin Cooke, who would become lifelong friends. After having been cast for Nuts in May in 1917, he remained in the USA.

Related Topics:
1907 - Charlie Chaplin - United States - 1910 - 1913 - Vaudeville - 1916 - 1918 - Alice - Baldwin Cooke - 1917 - USA

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