Hidden Facts About Will Hay, Comedy's True Eccentric
Will Hay was an English comedian famous for his blundering schoolmaster character. But, off-screen, he hid many out-of-this-world talents (and a seriously strange personality).
1. He Was A Mystery
Will Hay was one of Britain’s most influential comedians. His blustery characters mocked familiar aspects of British culture, leaving his audiences in absolute stitches. But, when the curtains closed and the cameras stopped rolling, the laughter stopped.
Hay hid his deeply unfunny personality traits and strange obsessions from his adoring audiences. But we’ve revealed them.
2. He Had Quaint Beginnings
Will Hay’s journey to comedy stardom had the most unassuming of beginnings. He was born in December of 1888 in the quaint market town of Stockton-on-Tees as one of five children. His father’s work saw the family move around a lot, eventually settling in London. He was supposed to follow in his father’s footsteps but he chose a more daunting path for himself.
3. He Was Full Of Mischief
Hay would later describe his younger self as something of a “rogue” who enjoyed “indulging in acts of mischief”. But, in an effort to strike out on his own, he ended up working as an apprentice engineer. He wasn’t your average gear head though. By his late teens, Hay was fluent in Italian, French and German and began working as an interpreter.
But his mother tongue was romance.
4. He Had Puppy Love
The heart wants what the heart wants—and in Hay’s case, that was a storybook romance. Hay met his childhood sweetheart, Gladys Perkins, when they were both just children, between 12 and 15 years old. Despite their youth, their love was stronger than any bond either of them would ever have. Their destinies were intertwined; for better or, possibly, worse.
