Stan Laurel was one of those early comic characters I encountered primarily on black and white television on Saturday mornings during my childhood.
My unsophisticated lack of understanding placed much of what he presented far above my level of comprehension, but I still watched his antics with Oliver Hardy as a matter of handiness ...
Or more specifically a lack of choices. I chose to watch what was on and he was one of those things which graced the early morning television frequently at that time.
He was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on June 16, 1890 a Brit comic actor, entertainer, writer, and film director famous primarily for being part of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.
He appeared with Oliver Hardy in 107 short subjects, feature films, and cameo roles.
Beginning in music hall he developed a number of those standard comic devices for which he became known, including the bowler hat, the deep comic gravity, and understatement devoid of sense and substance.
He was well practiced in pantomime and music hall sketches and retired after the passing of his comedy partner Mr Hardy in 1957.
In 1960, Laurel was given an Academy Honorary Award for his pioneering work in comedy back when it meant something. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard.
Laurel and Hardy were ranked among the top among best acts in several polls.
Oliver Hardy died on August 7 1957. Stan Laurel was too ill to attend his funeral and said he felt his partner would understand. People known to Mr Laurel said that the devastation brought on by Mr Hardy's death sent him into a tailspin of grief from which he never recovered. He refused to perform on stage or act in another film without Mr Hardy but continued socialization and interacting with various fans.
A heavy smoker, Mr Laurel quit the habit in 1960. In January 1965, he underwent x-rays for an infection on the roof of his mouth — which in retrospect was the portend of the end. He passed on February 23, 1965 at aged 74, four days after suffering a heart attack.
His funeral was held at Church of the Hills and he was interred in Forest Lawn–Hollywood Hills Cemetery.