Max Bygraves
- Category : Entertainer
- Type : GP
- Profile : 2/4 - Hermit / Opportunist
- Definition : Split - Large
- Incarnation Cross : RAX Maya 3
Biography
Max Bygraves, OBE (born Walter William Bygraves; 16 October 1922 – 31 August 2012) was an English comedian, singer, actor and variety performer.
He appeared on his own television shows, sometimes performing comedy sketches between songs. He made twenty Royal Variety Performance appearances and presented numerous programmes, including Family Fortunes.
Early life
Bygraves was born to Henry and Lillian (née McDonnell) Bygraves (who wed in 1919) in London where he grew up poor, in a two-room council flat with his five siblings, his parents and a grandparent. His father was a professional flyweight boxer, known as Battling Tom Smith, and a casual dockworker. Raised Catholic, he attended St Joseph's School, Paradise Street, Rotherhithe, and sang with his school choir at Westminster Cathedral.
He left school at 14. He went to the Savoy Hotel in London to work as a pageboy, but they threw him out for being too tall. He then became a messenger for an advertising agency in Fleet Street, before serving as a fitter in the RAF in World War II and working as a carpenter. He changed his forename to Max in honour of comedian Max Miller.
Career
Bygraves' catchphrase was "I wanna tell you a story". He portrayed the title character in the 1956 film Charley Moon. It was revealed that Bygraves had bought the past and future rights to the Lionel Bart musical Oliver! for £350 to help Bart out of his severe financial difficulties. Bygraves later sold them on for £250,000.
In the 1950s and 60s, Bygraves appeared as a guest on several television variety programs both in the UK and United States. These included Ed Sullivan, Jack Benny, and Jackie Gleason, in America, but his place as a broadcasting icon was founded, along with several fellow artists, by appearing as guest 'tutor', to Peter Brough's ventriloquist dummy, Archie Andrews, in the long running BBC radio show Educating Archie.
From 1983 to 1985, Bygraves hosted Family Fortunes, taking over from his friend and fellow comedian Bob Monkhouse. He would later be succeeded as host in 1987 by Les Dennis.[citation needed]
In 1982 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Personal life
Bygraves married WAAF sergeant Gladys "Blossom" Murray in 1942. The couple had three children: Christine, Anthony, and Maxine. Bygraves also had three other children from extramarital affairs: John Rice, Beverly Mayhew-Sass and Stephen Rose.
On 9 August 1974, Bygraves became stuck on cliffs near his house in Westbourne, Bournemouth, when a kite flown by his grandson Michael became trapped beneath the edge of the cliff. He suffered friction burns to his hands and was in shock with police and firefighters helping him to safety.Max and Blossom Bygraves moved from Bournemouth to Queensland, Australia, in 2008. She died there in 2011, aged 88.
In 1999, Bygraves underwent treatment for an ear disorder having cancelled a number of performances on his doctor's advice.
Death
Bygraves died on 31 August 2012, aged 89, at his daughter's home in Hope Island, Queensland, Australia, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.