Born: 30 November 1914 in Hounslow, Middlesex, England
Died: 27 October 1988 in Deal, Kent, England
Charles Hawtrey was born into a prominent theatrical family, which influenced his early start in acting. At a young age, he attended the renowned Italia Conti acting school for three years, where he began to carve out his path in the entertainment industry as a boy-soprano. In 1925, he adopted the stage name Charles Hawtrey, three years after the passing of Sir Charles Hawtrey. Although they were not related, he never discouraged speculation that the Edwardian actor was his father.
Hawtrey also achieved some success as a child actor, taking on minor roles such as a street Arab in The Windmill Man in Boscombe, Dorset. His breakthrough came on Boxing Day 1927, with his role in Bluebell in Fairyland at London’s Scala Theatre, which marked the beginning of his professional acting career.
In 1929, he ventured into radio, performing alongside some of the most notable names of the time in productions such as the Will Hay series, The Norman and Henry Bones Children’s Hour, and Just William. His stage presence gained critical attention in 1931 when he portrayed Slightly in Peter Pan at the London Palladium, with the Daily Telegraph’s drama critic W.A. Darlington noting his significant comedic talent.
Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, Hawtrey embraced a diverse array of theatrical roles, with a standout performance as Gremio in The Taming of the Shrew at the Old Vic in 1939, opposite Roger Livesey’s Petruchio. He received positive reviews for performances in productions such as Scoop, Old Chelsea, Merry England, and Husbands Don’t Count. During this time, he also dabbled in directing, but his most notable recognition arose from his extensive film work.
His filmography includes notable titles such as Good Morning Boys (1937), The Ghost of St Michael’s (1941), A Canterbury Tale (1944), The Galloping Major (1950), Brandy for the Parson (1952), and You’re Only Young Twice (1953). In 1957, he joined the cast of the television series The Army Game, alongside Bernard Bresslaw and William Hartnell, which led to his casting in the pivotal role of Carry On Sergeant in 1958, a role that significantly impacted his career.
As the Carry On series grew in popularity, so did Hawtrey's profile. Over the next two decades, he appeared in a total of 23 Carry On films. However, he believed that his experience warranted higher billing than he received, a view not shared by the producers. Consequently, after filming Carry On Abroad in 1972, he departed from the series.
Hawtrey was known for his eccentric personality, often mirroring the quirky characters he portrayed in the Carry On films. One of his unique habits included speaking in a private language understood only by a select few close friends. Although he was open about his homosexuality, he maintained that he had chosen to remain single throughout his life.
In his later years, Hawtrey became increasingly reclusive, preferring to stay in his smuggler’s cottage in Deal, where he enjoyed playing the piano and collecting antiques. His name made local headlines in 1984 when he was rescued from a fire at his home. His final television appearance was as Clarence, Duke of Claridge, in a special episode of the children’s program Supergran, which also featured comedian Billy Connolly.
In September 1988, following a fall that resulted in a broken leg, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease, a condition exacerbated by a lifetime of heavy smoking. He had also struggled with arthritis for many years, which worsened as he aged. Despite doctors recommending amputation to save his life, he declined the operation and passed away on 27 October 1988 in Deal. His ashes were scattered at Mortlake Crematorium, near Chiswick in London.
