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George Formby, Sr.

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Comedian

The Resume

    (October 4, 1875-February 8, 1921)
    Born in Ashton-under-Lyne, England, United Kingdom
    Birth name was James Booth
    Music hall performer
    Known for the character of John Willie, a stereotypical working-class Lancaster man
    Recorded the songs ‘John Willie, Come On,’ ‘One of the Boys,’ ‘Standing on the Corner of the Street’ and ‘Playing the Game in the West’
    Appeared in the film ‘No Fool Like an Old Fool’ (1914)
    Father of comedian George Formby, Jr.

Why he might be annoying:

    He started as a child singer in vaudeville, changing to comedy numbers when his voice broke.
    No copies of his one film are known to survive.
    The Times said of him, ‘His humour was often crude and always simple.’

Why he might not be annoying:

    Growing up, he frequently had to sleep in the doorway because his mother was either out drinking or in police custody sobering up.
    The proudest moment of his career was being asked to give a command performance for King George and Queen Mary.
    Elements of his act, such as wearing oversized shoes on the wrong feet, were borrowed by Charlie Chaplin for his ‘Little Tramp.’

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 18 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying