ERNIE WISEBest known for being half of Morecambe and Wise, one of the finest comedy duos of all time, Ernie Wise died on 21 March 1999 aged 73.
Alongside Eric Morecambe he starred in television comedy series for more than 20 years, with the pair enjoying their heyday in the late 1960s and the 1970s.
Their trademark was inviting celebrities on to the Morecambe and Wise show in order to affectionately ridicule them, and the pair’s Christmas specials became a firm fixture for most British families.
Following Mr Morecambe's death in 1984, Mr Wise spent most of his time in America and suffered declining health in the mid nineties.
Ernest Wiseman was born on 27 November 1925 in Leeds, West Yorkshire , and took his first steps in show business as a singer alongside his father, Harry, in their act “Bert Carson and His Little Wonder.”
At 13 he shortened his name to Wise and appeared alongside another famous British comedian, Arthur Askey, in his “Bandwagon Show”. The teenager’s performance created excitement in the media who saw him as a “great discovery”.
In the same year he met Eric Morecambe while auditioning for another show and the two formed the double act for the first time. After a brief period they separated until meeting again by chance on the stage comedy circuit in 1947.
The pair made their name in variety shows and on radio during the 1950s. Eventually they got their Two of a Kind act on to ATV in 1961.
In 1968 the pair switched to the BBC and the Morecambe and Wise Show built a guest list that included The Beatles, Elton John and Glenda Jackson.
In 1976 both were awarded OBEs and a year later the two were at the height of their powers when their Christmas special attracted 27million viewers, a British television record at the time.
In 1984 Mr Morecambe died following a heart attack and Mr Wise limited himself to occasional solo appearances while spending most of his time living in Florida .
He began to suffer health problems himself and suffered strokes in both 1993 and 1995. He died of a heart attack at Nuffield Hospital , Wexham, Berkshire , in November 1999.
Although his death was seen as the end of an era, repeats of the Morecambe and Wise Show still draw millions of viewers.
Following Mr Wise’s death, Bill Cotton, former BBC managing director of television, said: "They were both as good as each other and had an equal part to play in one of the best and funniest double acts that has ever graced the entertainment business."
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