Oliver Norvell Hardy (January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an actor who played the unnamed Kansas farmhand who dons the guise of the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1925). Two years after this, he met Stan Laurel and they became the famed comedy duo Laurel and Hardy performing together until 1955. A number of their films were produced by Hal Roach.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Oliver Hardy was the youngest of five children born to Oliver Hardy and Emily Norvell. His father was a Confederate veteran, and his mother worked as a hotel manager. The family moved to Milledgeville, Georgia, where Oliver spent his childhood.
Early Career[]
Hardy initially pursued a career in theater and appeared in various stage productions, including musicals and vaudeville acts. His talent for comedy and a knack for entertaining audiences led him to a career in silent films. Oliver Hardy began his film career in the silent era, working for various studios and directors. He appeared in over 250 silent films between 1914 and 1927. During this period, he honed his comedic skills and developed his iconic screen persona.
Partnership with Stan Laurel[]
The most significant and enduring phase of Oliver Hardy's career came when he teamed up with British actor Stan Laurel in 1927. Together, they formed the iconic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, one of the most beloved and enduring partnerships in film history. Laurel and Hardy made a series of short silent films and transitioned to sound films, where they gained immense popularity. Some of their most famous films include "The Music Box," "Sons of the Desert," "Way Out West," and "Babes in Toyland" (also known as "March of the Wooden Soldiers").
Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel's comedy was characterized by slapstick humor, physical gags, and a deep, endearing friendship between their on-screen personas. They became international stars and received critical acclaim for their work. After the decline of the traditional Hollywood studio system, Laurel and Hardy's film career waned in the 1940s. They continued to make occasional appearances in films and on television. Hardy also battled health issues in his later years.
Personal Life[]
Oliver Hardy married four times in his life, He had no children.
Death[]
Oliver Hardy passed away on August 7, 1957, at the age of 65 due to a series of strokes. His death marked the end of an era in comedy, but his work with Stan Laurel continues to entertain and inspire audiences to this day.