His Scottish-English parents were never in show business. As a young boy, he was a gifted singer and, by age eight, was performing with minstrel shows. In 1910, he ran a movie theatre, which he preferred to studying law. In 1913, he became a comedy actor with the Lubin Company in Florida and began appearing in a long series of shorts; his debut film was Outwitting Dad (1914); 1914-5 was the "Pokes and Jabbs" series; 1916-8 saw the "Plump and Runt" series, 1919-21 the "Jimmy Aubrey" series, and from 1921-5 he worked as an actor and co-director of comedy shorts for Larry Semon. In 1917, he had played a bit part in A Lucky Dog, starring Stan Laurel. His first two-reeler with Laurel was Forty-five Minutes from Hollywood (1926). Their first release through MGM was Sugar Daddies and the first with star billing was From Soup to Nuts. Their first feature-length starring roles were in Pardon Us. Their work became more production-line and less popular during the war years, mostly working for Twentieth Century-Fox. Their last movie together was The Bullfighters except for a French failure (Utopia). He appeared without Laurel in The Fighting Kentuckian and Riding High and died seven years later.
Related to Captain Hardy. (as in "Kiss me Hardy" - Nelson) Was in over 400 movies. Best known for his work with Stan Laurel. Interred at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park, North Hollywood, California, USA. Subject on one of five 29¢ US commemorative postage stamps celebrating famous comedians, issued in booklet form 29 August 1991. He is shown with his partner Stan Laurel. The stamp designs were drawn by caricaturist Al Hirschfeld. The other comedians honored in the set are Edgar Bergen (with alter ego Charlie McCarthy); Jack Benny; Fanny Brice; and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello. His favourite past-time, outside of work, was playing golf, which he learnt from comedian Larry Semon. Appears on sleeve of The Beatles' "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club.". When Ollie died in 1957, his partner, Stan Laurel, pledged he would never perform again. Despite offers, he never did. Used Babe Hardy for a screen name, until convinced by a numerologist that the longer screen name, Oliver Hardy, would bring him success. Billy Wilder planned on doing a film with him and Stan Laurel in the 1950s. The film would have opened with each of them sleeping in one of the letter "o"s of the Hollywood sign. The plot centered on a woman coming between them. The project was aborted due to Ollie's failing health. His father, also named Oliver Hardy, was a successful lawyer who died when Norvell, as he was known to his family, was ten months old. At a time when few women had careers, his mother supported the family by running a highly successful hotel. Despite rumors over the years, he did not die from the effects of obesity. Quite the contrary. Dieting on doctor's orders, he took off too much weight too fast, going from 300+ pounds to 150 in a matter of a few weeks, weakening his constitution well past the danger point. It was becoming dangerously underweight in this manner that brought about his final illness and death. He was voted, along with comedy partner Stan Laurel, the 45th Greatest Movie Star of all time by Entertainment Weekly. Laurel and Hardy's films had and still have great success in Italy where they are known as "Stallio and Ollio". Their voices being dubbed into Italian in a very funny and colorful way, accentuates their funny lines. Laurel & Hardy have been and continue to be very popular in Germany under the name of "Dick und Doof" (Fatty and Stupid). His voice in the Italian version of Laurel & Hardy shorts and features was that of the great Alberto Sordi. Entered St. Vincent's Hospital to have his tonsils removed the day after filming wrapped on Babes in Toyland. Is portrayed by John 'Red' Fox in Harlow Laurel & Hardy have been and continue to be very popular in Spain, Mexico and Latin America under the name of "El Gordo y El Flaco" (The Fat and The Thin).