In 1910, under the name Stan Jefferson, he joined a comedy troupe led by Fred Karno. The family eventually moved to Glasgow, Scotland, and the age of 16, he made his professional debut at Glasgow’s Panopticon music hall, where he perfected his skills in pantomime and first wore his trademark bowler hat. Stanley grew up in the British music hall and absorbed its traditions and methods.
He was one of five children of Arthur Jefferson, a vaudevillian and theater manager, and the former Margaret Metcalfe, an actress. Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on Jto theatrical parents in Ulverston, Lancashire, England. They set the pattern for comedy teams that followed, including Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis and the fictional Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton, as well as Oscar Madison and Felix Ungar. Laurel and Hardy completed each other as any exceptional couple does, and they developed into a comic pairing hailed by many as the greatest of all time. But it was when they joined forces that the magic happened. Laurel in particular earned praise for his early film work, winning comparisons to Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. Laurel’s endearing comic trademarks included blank stares, pitiful whimpers and puzzled head-scratches, while Hardy was given to flowery speeches, double-takes and the waggling of his necktie.Įach performer had successful solo careers, gaining a following through stage work before making their mark in movies. Stan was the bumbling, well-intentioned innocent Ollie, the fastidious, pompous would-be man of the world. Laurel was the slender Englishman, Hardy the rotund American.
TCM Stars of the Month for December are Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the incomparable comedy team who won the affection of international movie audience during the first half of the 20th century and remain among the most beloved of all film performers of their era.
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