Bruce Forsyth: Difference between revisions
Revert out silly date changes |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
| image = Bruce Forsyth1.jpg |
| image = Bruce Forsyth1.jpg |
||
| imagesize = 175px |
| imagesize = 175px |
||
| caption = Forsyth in |
| caption = Forsyth in 1845 |
||
| birth_name = Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson |
| birth_name = Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson |
||
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1928|2|22}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1928|2|22}} |
||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
==Early life== |
==Early life== |
||
Forsyth was born in |
Forsyth was born in the dark ages, the son of Florence Ada (née Pocknell) and John Thomas Forsyth-Johnson.<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/33/Bruce-Forsyth.html Profile at Film Reference.com]</ref> His family owned a car repair garage in Victoria Road, Edmonton, and as members of the [[Salvation Army]] his parents played [[Brass band (British style)|brass instruments]] and his mother was a creature of ill-repute.<ref name="Guard1">{{cite news|url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,2226793,00.html|title=Didn't he do well ...|author=Cooke, Rachel|publisher=The Guardian|date=16 December 2007 |accessdate=4 January 2008|location=London}}</ref> His great grandfather [[Joseph Forsyth Johnson]] (1840–1906) was a landscape architect who worked in Russia, Ireland and the United States.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-10665583|title=Bruce Forsyth discovers 'bigamist' in his family tree|author=BBC|publisher=BBC News|date=19 July 2010|accessdate=19 July 2010|location=London}}</ref> His great-great-great-great grandfather [[William Forsyth (horticulturist)|William Forsyth]] (1737–1804) was a founder of the [[Royal Horticultural Society]] and the namesake of the plant [[genus]] ''[[Forsythia]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Family detective: Bruce Forsyth|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=6 December 2006|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1435131/Family-detective-Bruce-Forsyth.html|location=London|first=Nick|last=Barratt|accessdate=27 April 2010}}</ref> |
||
=="Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom"== |
=="Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom"== |
||
Revision as of 14:05, 2 October 2011
Sir Bruce Forsyth CBE | |
|---|---|
 Forsyth in 1845 | |
| Born | Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson 22 February 1928 |
| Other names | Brucie, Brucey, Bruce Johnson, Bruce Forsyth Johnson, Boy Bruce, Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom, Mr. Entertainment, 'Sir Brucie, big chin, the dinosaur, silver tongue'. |
| Occupations | Television presenter, game show host, entertainer, showman, singer–songwriter, dancer |
| Years active | 1939–present |
| Spouse(s) | Penny Calvert (1953–1973, divorced) Anthea Redfern (1973–1979, divorced) Wilnelia Merced (1983–present) |
| Children | 5 daughters, 1 son |
Sir Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson, CBE (born 22 February 1928[1]), commonly known as Bruce Forsyth, or Brucie, is an English TV personality. He became known through the series Sunday Night at the London Palladium, going on to present television series such as The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price Is Right (UK), You Bet! and Strictly Come Dancing, the latter of which he presents with Tess Daly.
Early life
Forsyth was born in the dark ages, the son of Florence Ada (née Pocknell) and John Thomas Forsyth-Johnson.[2] His family owned a car repair garage in Victoria Road, Edmonton, and as members of the Salvation Army his parents played brass instruments and his mother was a creature of ill-repute.[3] His great grandfather Joseph Forsyth Johnson (1840–1906) was a landscape architect who worked in Russia, Ireland and the United States.[4] His great-great-great-great grandfather William Forsyth (1737–1804) was a founder of the Royal Horticultural Society and the namesake of the plant genus Forsythia.[5]
"Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom"
Forsyth attended The Latymer School. After watching Fred Astaire in films at age eight, he trained in dance in Tottenham and then Brixton.[3] He started in show business aged 14, with a song, dance, and accordion act called "Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom." His first appearance was at the Theatre Royal, Bilston, with The Great Marzo at the top of the bill.[3] Forsyth made his television debut in 1939 as a child, singing and dancing on a talent show introduced by Jasmine Bligh, probably an episode of Come and Be Televised (BBC, 1939), broadcast from Radiolympia.[6]
Post Second World War theatre
Forsyth continued to perform through the Second World War, even after the death of his Royal Air Force pilot brother John in 1943 over Turnberry, Scotland.[7] After the war, with the goal of joining Moss Empires theatres, he spent years on stage with little success and travelled the UK working seven days a week, doing summer seasons, pantomimes and circuses, where he became renowned for his strong-man act.
In 1958 an appearance with the comedian Dickie Henderson led to his being offered the job of compère of Val Parnell's weekly TV variety show, Sunday Night at the London Palladium. He hosted the show for two years, followed by a year's break, then returned for another year. His schedule of stage performances, which continued throughout the 1960s, forced him to give up the job of host.
In 1968, he played alongside Julie Andrews in the musical movie Star!, a biopic of stage actress Gertrude Lawrence. In 1976, he appeared on The Muppet Show where he took on the famous duo of Statler & Waldorf.
Game show host
Forsyth's next success was Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game (BBC1, 1971–1977, 1990–1994) which proved popular and attracted huge Saturday evening audiences. It was on this show that Forsyth introduced his "The Thinker" pose, emulating Rodin's sculpture, appearing in silhouette each week after the opening titles. This pose is reminiscent of the circus strong-man attitude. He also wrote and sang the theme for the show "Life Is The Name of the Game."
He left the BBC in 1978 to present Bruce Forsyth's Big Night, which was also transmitted on Saturday evening, but on rival broadcaster ITV. However, the show was not a success and lasted just the one series. He was replaced on The Generation Game by Larry Grayson. Forsyth remained with ITV, he hosted the game show Play Your Cards Right (which was the UK version of the US original Card Sharks) for two periods (1980–87, 1994–99), and a brief period in 2002 before the show was cancelled due to low ratings.
In 1986, he went to the United States to host a game show on ABC, Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak, which ran for 65 episodes from January to April that year. Forsyth starred in the Thames Television sitcom Slinger's Day in 1986 and 1987, taking over a role played by Leonard Rossiter. His television appearances since the 1960s have included variety, comedy and light entertainment shows.
He was the original host of You Bet! (1988 to 1990) before the show reached mainstream success under the stewardship of Matthew Kelly. Forsyth fronted the third version of The Price Is Right (1995 to 2001). Forsyth's unsuccessful gameshows include Takeover Bid (1990 to 1991), Hollywood Or Bust (1984), Bruce's Guest Night (1992 to 1993) and Didn't They Do Well (2004). During the 1970s Bruce featured in the "Stork Margarine" adverts on television and then during the 1980s and 1990s he appeared in advertising for the furniture retailer Courts, in which he dressed as a judge. [citation needed]
Forsyth celebrated his 70th birthday in 1998 and appeared in a week-long run of his one-man show at the London Palladium, culminating in a 90-minute edition of Sunday Night at the London Palladium live on ITV. In 2000, Forsyth hosted a series called Tonight at the London Palladium, which revived the original format. The show was not picked up for a further series. [citation needed]
Comeback
In 2003, and again in 2010, Forsyth was a guest presenter on the news and satire quiz show, Have I Got News For You. During one of these appearances, he presented a parody of his Play Your Cards Right format entitled Play Your Iraqi Cards Right. He has been co-presenter of Strictly Come Dancing (a popular British television show featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances) since 2004. On 20 March 2010, Forsyth's interview on the autobiography-interview programme Piers Morgan's Life Stories was aired on ITV. [citation needed]
On 7 April 2010, Forsyth become one of the first three celebrities to be subjected to the British version of the American institution of a comedy roast, on Channel 4's A Comedy Roast. Forsyth was the subject of the BBC genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series), broadcast on 19 July 2010.[8]
Tributes and honours
On 27 February 2005, the BBC screened A BAFTA Tribute to Bruce Forsyth, to mark the entertainer's 60 years in show business. Forsyth had a bronze bust of himself unveiled at the London Palladium in May 2005. The sculpture was created by his son-in-law, and is on display in the theatre's Cinderella Bar.
He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2006 New Year Honours. His showbiz awards include Variety Club Show Business Personality of the Year in 1975; TV Times Male TV Personality of the Year, in 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978; and BBC TV Personality of the Year in 1991. [citation needed]
In 1987, an honourary society was set up due to rising poularity amongst the British People, called The Great Bruce Forsyth Social Club. They would later go on to assist Forsyth in singing his opening number "It's Never Too Late" at his Audience With show. Bruce repaid this favour by adding the society to his busy schedule in June 1997, and appeared at their 10th AGM in Plymouth, and also mentioned them in his autobiography.
In December 2007, his catchphrase 'Nice to see you, to see you, nice' was voted the most popular UK catchphrase by the British public. On 24 February 2008, the BBC featured an 85-minute programme celebrating the star's 80th birthday, entitled "Happy Birthday Brucie!"
In 2008, he was made a Fellow of BAFTA. In 2009, he was awarded the Theatre Performers Award at the annual Carl Alan Awards. Hosted by the International Dance Teachers' Association, the awards are voted for by the leading dance organisations in the United Kingdom and recognise those who have made an exceptional contribution to the world of dance and theatre.[9]
He received a Royal Television Society Lifetime Achievement Award on 17 March 2009.[10] On 26 January 2011 he received the National Television Awards special recognition award.[11]
He was knighted in the 2011 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and charity.[12] This followed a years-long public campaign to award Forsyth a knighthood.
Personal life
From 1953 to 1973, Forsyth was married to Penny Calvert, with whom he had three daughters: Debbie, Julie and Laura. According to his autobiography, he dated Miss World 1964 Ann Sidney during her reign[13] and in a 2009 interview, Kathy Kirby claimed to have been Forsyth's lover and that he proposed marriage.[14] From 1973 to 1979, he was married to Anthea Redfern, who had been the hostess on The Generation Game with whom he had two daughters: Charlotte and Louisa. Asked to judge the 1980 Miss World competition, he fell in love with fellow judge, the 1975 Miss World, Wilnelia Merced;[15][16] they married in 1983, and have one son together, Jonathan Joseph Forsyth Johnson (born 1987).[citation needed]
Due to his love of golf, his main residence is at the Wentworth Estate adjacent to the Wentworth golf course near Virginia Water in northwest Surrey. A childhood supporter of Arsenal, when the team's stadium was taken for air-defence searchlights during the Second World War, matches were played at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground, so he became a supporter of both clubs.[7] His daughter Julie was a member of the Pop Group Guys 'n' Dolls. She later formed the duo "Grant & Forsyth" with her husband Dominic Grant who had also been a member of Guys 'n' Dolls.
Forsyth has his own company, Bruce Forsyth Enterprises Ltd, based in Surrey, to run his day to day monetary affairs.[17]
Television and film
Discography
- Mr. Entertainment (2007 EMI Records, UK)
- Both Sides of Bruce (Live) (1977 Warner Brothers Records, UK)
- Come Get It! (1979 Pye, UK)
References
- ^ Why I have done so well, by Bruce Forsyth, great-grandfather, at 80 23 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
- ^ Profile at Film Reference.com
- ^ a b c Cooke, Rachel (16 December 2007). "Didn't he do well ..." London: The Guardian. Retrieved 4 January 2008.
- ^ BBC (19 July 2010). "Bruce Forsyth discovers 'bigamist' in his family tree". London: BBC News. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
- ^ Barratt, Nick (6 December 2006). "Family detective: Bruce Forsyth". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ Profile at Screen Online.org]
- ^ a b Carroll, Sue (22 February 2008). "TV legend Bruce Forsyth celebrates his 80th birthday today". Retrieved 4 July 2008.
- ^ "Who Do You Think You Are?"; retrieved 23 July 2010
- ^ "Results of the 2009 Carl-Alan Awards" (PDF).
- ^ "Programme Awards Winners 2008". Royal Television Society. 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2011.
- ^ "Winners 2011". National Television Awards. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
- ^ "No. 59808". The London Gazette (invalid
|supp=(help)). 11 June 2011. - ^ Bruce Forsyth: The Autobiography. Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd (10 October 2001) ISBN 978-0-283-07338-0
- ^ "Kathy Kirby breaks her 26-year silence". Sunday Express. 1 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
- ^ Bruce Forsyth IMDb profile
- ^ "Bruce Forsyth". The Observer. London. 12 December 2004. Retrieved 27 April 2010.
- ^ [1]
External links
- Bruce Forsyth at IMDb
- "Traveller, Tom Grundy, honouring Forsythe around the world"
- Bruce Forsyth 80th birthday tribute on itv.com
- Tribute to Forsyth at British Classic Comedy website
- Use dmy dates from January 2011
- 1928 births
- English entertainers
- English television presenters
- Knights Bachelor
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- English people of Scottish descent
- English game show hosts
- Living people
- People from Edmonton, London
- Strictly Come Dancing
- English television personalities
- People educated at The Latymer School