Comedian benny hill biography

Benny Hill, born Alfred Hawthorne Hill, grew up in Southampton, England in the 1920s.

Before becoming a comedian, he worked as a milkman's assistant, driving a horse-drawn cart through predawn streets—eventually serving in the British Army's Transport Corps during World War II.

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HILL'S FATHER & GRANDFATHER WERE BOTH CIRCUS CLOWNS

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Benny Hill's grandfather, Henry Hill, performed as a circus clown in Southampton from 1890 to 1910.

His routines featured pratfalls, mime acts, and audience interactions that drew crowds at the Meadowbrook Circus.

Henry's son Alfred joined the circus at age 16, specializing in juggling and musical comedy acts.

In their two-bedroom flat above a butcher shop, Alfred taught eight-year-old Benny the basics of physical comedy—how to time a stumble, coordinate facial expressions, and execute safe falls onto cushioned surfaces.

Every Sunday, Alfred would perform his routines in th