Tommy Cooper: Always Leave Them Laughing: The Definitive Biography of a Comedy Legend - Softcover

Fisher, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 000723614X ISBN 13: 9780007236145

Publisher: HarperCollins Entertainment, 2006

Synopsis

Frank and revealing, this fully authorised biography by Tommy’s friend and colleague, acclaimed TV producer, John Fisher, is the first ever intimate portrait of Britain’s best-loved, but little known, comedy entertainer.

With a love of laughter stemming from a magic performance gone wrong when he was just a child, Cooper enlisted in the army at the age of 18 and perfected his comic timing on his army colleagues in the Egyptian desert. The man with the Fez was born.

Cooper was the heart of the thriving British variety scene, and was adored by his legion of fans, and much revered on the comedy circuit. The gentle giant of entertainment accompanied his bewildered, botched magic act with a sublime sense of timing and a face that was made for comedy.

Everyone has a favourite Tommy Cooper moment or joke, but this is the story from his life-long friend John Fisher, using the archives of Tommy’s manager Miff Ferrie to reveal the man behind the laughs.

About this title

Review:

'A monumental and masterly biography of the great Cooper.' Daily Mail

'A masterful work that will deservedly find its way into the Christmas stockings of anyone interested in showbiz.'
The Stage

'....it's a measure of how funny he (Cooper) was that this book had me on the floor even when reading about gags I've never seen. Yet this is no hagiography. While it has chapter and verse on how Cooper's comic chaos came into being, it also tells how one of our country's greatest bringers of joy was a boozy, tight-fisted, foul-mouthed, faithless old misery. Add to such background detail some of the best descriptions of physical comedy since Tynan and we have a lot to thank John Fisher for.'
The Sunday Times

‘John Fisher’s biography admirably captures the Cooper magic.’ The Oldie

‘A moving and illuminating showbiz biography. The book deserves a standing ovation.’ Irish Examiner

‘A book with unrivalled access to (and knowledge of) its elusive subject.’ The Independent

‘For all his popularity as one of Britain’s best-loved post-war entertainers, Tommy Cooper’s life away from stage and screen is little known. Fisher’s book does much to change to this.’ Yorkshire Post

About the Author:

John Fisher has a long and distinguished career as a TV producer working in light entertainment with such giants of comedy as Bob Monkhouse, Spike Milligan, Bruce Forsyth & Tommy Cooper. His most recent work includes Channel 4’s critically acclaimed “Heroes of Comedy”. An authority on popular entertainment, he has written many books on the subject. ‘Jus’ Like That!’, his stage celebration of the life of Tommy Cooper, was a recent West End hit. John is also a member of the Inner Magic Circle.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins Entertainment
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 000723614X
• ISBN 13: 9780007236145
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 464