Jackie Hamilton

Jackie Hamilton (born Johnny Kearns, 1937 – died 12 August 2003)[1] was a stand-up comedian,[2] nicknamed the "Pele of Comedy".[3]

For the former ice hockey player, see Jackie Hamilton (ice hockey).
Jackie Hamilton
Born1937
Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Died13 August 2003 (aged 65–66)
MediumStand-up comedy
Years active1963–2003
SpouseTeresa
Notable works and rolesThe Comedians, Merseyside club performances

His problems with alcohol, idiosyncratic delivery and strong Liverpudlian accent were factors in his missing out on national success, but his slick anti-climactic style of observational comedy was well regarded in his home town of Liverpool, and he gave a graphic commentary on the social history of Merseyside.[1][4]

Biography

Hamilton was born off Scotland Road, a dockland area in north Liverpool, where he lived with two sisters, Margaret and Susie and a Brother Joey. He married Teresa, and they had four sons and a daughter. He worked casually as a docker and on building sites before becoming an "ale-house comic" who landlords paid in drinks in exchange for a short comedy set.

He appeared on the ITV TV show The Comedians in the 1970s and appeared live on both the BBC and ITV. His unreliability lead to London booking agents avoiding him. Right up until a month before he died after a stroke in 2003, Hamilton was performing on the Merseyside club circuit, headlining the Radio Merseyside Summer Friday in front of more than 900 people.[1]

Tributes

A plaque to Hamilton was unveiled at Eldonian Village Hall in 2004.[3]

On 10 April 2007 a profile of Jackie Hamilton entitled Standing up for Liverpool was broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Les Dennis and produced by Tony Staveacre, it explored the life and career of the much-loved joker, using rare tapes of the man himself in interview and performance and the reminiscences of Ricky Tomlinson, Lennie Chesworth and Mickey Finn.[5]

References
  1. Charters, David (13 August 2003). "City's master of comedy dies at 65". Liverpool Daily Post. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  2. "Jackie Hamilton dies. Veteran of The Comedians was 65". Chortle. 13 August 2003. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  3. Hornby, Mike (16 August 2004). "Plaque honours 'Pele of comedy'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  4. Adair, Kirsti (3 October 2003). "Pub tribute night to comedy legend". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  5. Dennis, Les (10 April 2007). "Standing up for Liverpool". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
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