Trivia

When Hill died in April 1992, his estate was worth an estimated £10 million. The only will Hill created left his estate to his parents, who had died years before. Next in line were his brother and sister, neither of whom he had a close relationship with, but like his parents are also dead. As a result, Hill's estate was divided among his seven nieces and nephews.

Despite his wealth and success, he never owned a car, did his own shopping, lived in a two room apartment, but never used the second floor. According to one of his obituaries, he once refused to repair the leaky roof in his mother's home because it was "too expensive".

He was the star of Genesis' music video for "Anything She Does" in 1986 (from the "Invisible Touch" album). It was the band's idea to cast him. He played his "Fred Scuttle" character, who is the new head of backstage security. Needless to say his incompetence - due mainly to his wandering eye for the ladies (including Page 3 Model Linda Lusardi) - lets all manner of people into the band's dressing room. The video used many of Benny's trademark gags (smoke out of the ears, speed-ed up film..) and a separate, customized, version was shot to use as the opening to the group's world tour.

Hill was one of three siblings born to Alfred Hill (1893-1972) and Helen Hill (née Cave; 1894-1976). His father and paternal uncle were both professional circus clowns until they both left for military service during WWI. Alfred Hill was later the manager of a surgical appliance shop.

Following a non-fatal heart attack in February 1992, Hill had declined cardiac bypass surgery and was later diagnosed with kidney failure due to obesity throughout his adult life. Hill died of a coronary thrombosis (blood clot in coronary artery) which caused a subsequent myocardial infarction (heart attack) alone in his apartment while seated in his pajamas watching television. His body was discovered two days later by his producer, Dennis Kirkland, who was forced to climb through an open window of the locked apartment after being unable to reach Hill for several days. A large box, in which Hill had unceremoniously placed the awards and honors he had earned throughout his career, was later observed.

Before entering show business he was a milkman in Eastleigh, Southampton.

After complaints that his television comedy sketches were too sexual, he began casting children to appear on his shows. But instead of hiring professional child actors, he hired the children of the television crew, stating that their laughing to his sight gags were genuine.

After one of their stars died in 1966 (Arthur Haynes), ATV, a rival company to the BBC, tried to re-snatch Benny, but the liaison was short lived when he discovered he would be required to do other things (rather than just his comedy show), such as presenting other programmes. ATV contracts were reputedly just word of mouth and a handshake so it was easy for him to return to the BBC.

Johnny Carson was a fan and invited Hill on numerous occasions to appear on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) but Hill declined every invitation, reportedly because he did not want to make the long trip from England to California.

His simple but ingenious film-tricks are copied by many, for example "Austin Powers".

Born on the same day as Telly Savalas, whose Kojak (1973) character he impersonated on his 1969-1989 Thames TV show.

When he first signed with Thames Television in 1969, he was granted a degree of creative control previously enjoyed in the U.S. by two American comedians, Milton Berle and Jackie Gleason.

Related to Holly Valance. His cousin is her grandfather.

As a rule, the comedian disliked performing in front of a live audience. He felt that the reactions of the audience interfered with his comic timing.

Soon after having completed his National Service, Benny Hill formed a brief double act on radio with fellow comic, Reg Varney.

A memorial service was held for him at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London on 23 September 1992.

When he adopted the name Benny Hill, he took the christian name from his own comedy hero - Jack Benny.

The comedian got his initial career break on the TV show, "Hi There" in 1949.

Was born on the same day that Vladimir Lenin died.

Appeared on the cover of TV Times for the week that ITV started broadcasting in colour.

Disliked granting interviews.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith, pg. 216-217. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.

He left Southampton in 1940 to work backstage with a touring revue, 3 days later the comedians stooge fell ill and Benny took his place which started his stage career.