Walter William Bygraves OBE, known by the stage name Max 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.
October 16, 1922, Rotherhithe, London, United Kingdom
Died
August 31, 2012, Hope Island, Queensland, Gold Coast, Australia
Place Of Birth
Rotherhithe, London, England, UK
Height
6' 1½" (1.87 m)
Profession
Actor, Soundtrack, Writer
Children
Anthony Bygraves, Stephen Rose, John Rice, Beverly Mayhew-Sass, Maxine Bygraves, Christine Bygraves
Albums
SingaLongaWarYears, Sing Along With Max
Star Sign
Libra
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Trademark
1
Catch-phrase: "I wanna tell you a story."
#
Quote
1
I've arrived, and to prove it, I'm here.
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Fact
1
He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1983 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to entertainment.
2
He was initially trained as a carpenter.
3
Living on Queensland's Gold Coast in Australia; recently returning to England for performances. [September 2006]
4
He bought the rights to the score of an unknown musical. The musical was Lionel Bart's "Oliver!", and Bygraves made a fortune.
5
He appeared at the London Palladium with Judy Garland in the early 1950s. She was so impressed that she took him back to New York with her. Bygraves performed on Broadway for five months.
He grew up in a two-room flat with his parents, a grandparent, and five siblings. His father was a boxer in London's East End.
8
Adopted the nickname Max when in the forces in tribute to his hero, comedian 'Max Miller'.
9
He was in the RAF during the war, stationed at Hornchurch, Essex, UK. His wife, Blossom, was in the WAF, also stationed at Hornchurch.
10
Children with Blossom: daughters Christine and Maxine, son Anthony Bygraves.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Call up the Stars
1995
TV Movie
Bud Flanagan
Drama 61-67
1964
TV Series
Eddie Stanway
Spare the Rod
1961
John Saunders
Bobbikins
1959
Benjamin 'Ben' Barnaby
A Cry from the Streets
1958
Bill Lowther
Charley Moon
1956
Charley Moon
You Lucky People
1955
Singer on Television (uncredited)
Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium
1955
TV Series
Buttons
Tom Brown's Schooldays
1951
Coach Guard
Skimpy in the Navy
1949
Tommy Anderson
Bless 'Em All
1949
Tommy Anderson
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Wild West Comedy Show: 30 Days & 30 Nights - Hollywood to the Heartland
2006
Documentary performer: "Show Me the Way to Go Home"
Look Who's Talking
1989
writer: "You Need Hands"
The Jack Benny Program
1963
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Bobbikins
1959
performer: "Funny Little Clown", "Bobbikins Lullaby", "Last Night I Dreamed" / writer: "Funny Little Clown", "Bobbikins Lullaby", "Last Night I Dreamed"
A Cry from the Streets
1958
performer: "Gotta Have Rain" - uncredited / writer: "Gotta Have Rain" - as Roy Irwin, uncredited
Charley Moon
1956
performer: "Out Of Town"
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Max Bygraves Side by Side
1982
TV Series writer - 6 episodes
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Almost Actors
2015
TV Series thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Today with Des and Mel
2003
TV Series
Himself
The Showbiz Set
2002
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Arena
1990-2001
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Frank Skinner Show
2000
TV Series
Himself
The Car's the Star
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself - Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Owner
The Big Breakfast
1997
TV Series
Himself
Richard and Judy Exclusive
1997
TV Series
Himself - Guest
An Audience with Shirley Bassey
1995
TV Special
Himself - Audience Member
Clive Anderson Talks Back
1994
TV Series
Himself
Paul Merton's Palladium Story
1994
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Against All Odds
1994
Video
Himself
Max Bygraves: 50 Golden Years
1993
Video
Himself
Live from the London Palladium: Happy Birthday, Happy New Year!
1990
TV Movie
Himself
Highway
1990
TV Series
Himself
Forty Minutes
1989
TV Series documentary
Himself
Sunday, Sunday
1986
TV Series
Himself
The Mind of David Berglas
1986
TV Series
Himself
The Bob Monkhouse Show
1986
TV Series
Himself
Family Fortunes
1983-1985
TV Series
Himself - Host
A Century of Stars: The Story of the Grand Order of Water Rats
1984
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Entertainment Express
1983
TV Series
Himself
Looks Familiar
1981-1982
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Max Bygraves Side by Side
1978-1982
TV Series
Himself
Lena
1982
TV Series
Himself
Wednesday at 8
1977
TV Series
Himself
Saturday Night at the Mill
1977
TV Series
Himself
The Good Old Days
1977
TV Series
Himself - Performer
Stars on Sunday
1972-1976
TV Series
Himself
This Is Your Life
1975
TV Series documentary
Himself - Guest
The Golden Shot
1974
TV Series
Himself
Fifty Bighearted Years: The Variety Club of Great Britain's Tribute to Arthur Askey
1974
TV Movie
Himself
Max
1974
TV Series
Himself
Shut That Door!
1973
TV Series
Himself
Max Bygraves at the Royalty
1972
TV Series
Himself
The Alf Garnett Saga
1972
Himself
The Royal Variety Performance 1970
1970
TV Movie
Himself
Max
1968-1970
TV Series
Himself
The Max Bygraves Hour
1970
TV Special
Himself
This Is Your Life
1961-1969
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Jackie Gleason Show
1968-1969
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
Dee Time
1968
TV Series
Himself
The London Palladium Show
1966-1967
TV Series
Himself
Thank Your Lucky Stars
1962-1966
TV Series
Himself
The Eamonn Andrews Show
1966
TV Series
Himself
Juke Box Jury
1966
TV Series
Himself - Panellist
The Royal Variety Performance 1965
1965
TV Special
Himself
BBC Show of the Week
1965
TV Series
Himself
Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium
1955-1964
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Singer - Top Of The Bill / Himself - Top Of The Bill / ...