Jackie Wright
Encyclopedia
John "Jackie" Wright was an Irish
comedian, best known for being the bald-headed sidekick of Benny Hill
on his television programme
for one and a half decades. In many of the show's trademark accelerated-motion scenes, Hill would often pat Wright's bald head rapidly, the motion being accompanied by dubbed-in smacking sounds. Actress Suzy Mandel
recently told Gram Pontante's website that "Jackie Wright was a chain smoker and he would often hide his cigarette in his mouth or behind his back during scenes. In fact, you could often see a little plume of smoke rising behind him if you looked close enough. Benny would slap his head to fan the smoke away." Wright's diminutive stature – he was only 4 in 11 in (1.5 m) tall – and Northern Irish accent became assets to the comedy.
, the eldest of twelve children, Wright first worked as an automobile bodybuilder, even working in the United States
for Cadillac
. When the Great Depression
took hold, Wright returned to Belfast and then began working in the field of entertainment, first as a musician and then as a supporting comedian.
He did not enter television until the 1960s, when Hill discovered him and persuaded him to join his troupe. At the time, Hill was ending his stint with the BBC
, and starting a 20 year relationship with Thames Television
. Hill usually referred to him as "Little Jackie" or "our little Donny Osmond
" on the television programme. Wright also appeared on the short-lived programme Whoops Baghdad
. Wright gained a cult following when edited-down versions of the Benny Hill programmes began airing in syndication in the US in the late 1970s.
remarked, "He was a lovely little fella... I'm saddened beyond words."
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
comedian, best known for being the bald-headed sidekick of Benny Hill
Benny Hill
Benny Hill was an English comedian and actor, notable for his long-running television programme The Benny Hill Show.-Early life:...
on his television programme
The Benny Hill Show
The Benny Hill Show is a British comedy television show starring Benny Hill.There were various incarnations of the show between 1951 and 1991, and it aired in over 140 countries. The show is generally sketch-based with heavy use of slapstick, mime, parody and double-entendre...
for one and a half decades. In many of the show's trademark accelerated-motion scenes, Hill would often pat Wright's bald head rapidly, the motion being accompanied by dubbed-in smacking sounds. Actress Suzy Mandel
Suzy Mandel
Suzy Mandel is the stage name of an ex-actress and model best known for her roles in such 1970’s British sex comedies as Confessions of a Driving Instructor , Come Play with Me , and The Playbirds , and for her appearances on The Benny Hill Show.-Biography:Born in London, Mandel grew up on the...
recently told Gram Pontante's website that "Jackie Wright was a chain smoker and he would often hide his cigarette in his mouth or behind his back during scenes. In fact, you could often see a little plume of smoke rising behind him if you looked close enough. Benny would slap his head to fan the smoke away." Wright's diminutive stature – he was only 4 in 11 in (1.5 m) tall – and Northern Irish accent became assets to the comedy.
Biography
Born in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, the eldest of twelve children, Wright first worked as an automobile bodybuilder, even working in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
. When the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
took hold, Wright returned to Belfast and then began working in the field of entertainment, first as a musician and then as a supporting comedian.
He did not enter television until the 1960s, when Hill discovered him and persuaded him to join his troupe. At the time, Hill was ending his stint with the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, and starting a 20 year relationship with Thames Television
Thames Television
Thames Television was a licensee of the British ITV television network, covering London and parts of the surrounding counties on weekdays from 30 July 1968 until 31 December 1992....
. Hill usually referred to him as "Little Jackie" or "our little Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond
Donald Clark "Donny" Osmond is an American singer, musician, actor, dancer, radio personality, and former teen idol. Osmond has also been a talk and game show host, record producer and author. In the mid 1960s, he and four of his elder brothers gained fame as the Osmond Brothers on the long...
" on the television programme. Wright also appeared on the short-lived programme Whoops Baghdad
Whoops Baghdad
Whoops Baghdad is a BBC television comedy programme first broadcast from 25 January to 1 March 1973.It stars Frankie Howerd, and was similar to his earlier programme Up Pompeii!, with the setting moved from Ancient Rome to mediaeval Baghdad...
. Wright gained a cult following when edited-down versions of the Benny Hill programmes began airing in syndication in the US in the late 1970s.
Death
Wright left the show in 1983 owing to poor health. Five and a half years later, he died at the age of 83 in a Belfast hospital after battling a long, undisclosed illness. At the time of his death, Benny HillBenny Hill
Benny Hill was an English comedian and actor, notable for his long-running television programme The Benny Hill Show.-Early life:...
remarked, "He was a lovely little fella... I'm saddened beyond words."