Jimmy James (comedian)
| Jimmy James | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
James Casey 20 May 1892  Portrack, , County Durham, England
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| Died | 4 August 1965 (aged 73) Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Music hall, stage, film, radio and television comedian and comedy actor |
| Spouse(s) | Isabelle Darby, son James Casey |
Jimmy James (20 May 1892 – 4 August 1965) was a music hall, film, radio and television comedian and comedy actor. James had limited use for jokes as such, preferring to say things in a humorous manner, sometimes in surreal situations and as such was seen by some as well ahead of his time. He was often hailed as a "comedians' comedian".
Jimmy James was born James Casey on 20 May 1892, the eldest of four sons of Jeremiah Casey, an iron puddler or steelmaker, and Polly Gartland. Many sources state he was born in Portrack, , although other sources consider that he was born in South Bank, Middlesbrough, and moved to Stockton-on-Tees at the age of seven in 1899. At the age of ten he won a boy soprano contest at the Stockton Hippodrome and shortly afterwards ran away, hitching a ride to Darlington to join a travelling show. The police located him a few years later at the age of twelve by which time he had become a seasoned performer. His father, an amateur clog dancer himself, encouraged his son's show business talents.
At the Sunderland Empire James met Isabelle Darby, a music hall dancer and they married in 1921; they had one son.
Although James appeared on stage as a convincing drunk, often with a cigar or cigarette in his mouth, he was teetotal and did not smoke off stage. His weaknesses were gambling and his famed generosity which may account for his declared bankruptcies in 1936, 1955 and 1963.
James was last on stage in 1964, retiring that year. He died in Blackpool of pulmonary congestion on 4 August 1965 following a heart attack and is buried in Oxbridge Cemetery, Stockton-on-Tees. Interviewed by Marty Feldman in the late 1960s, comedian Eric Morecambe spoke in glowing terms about James:
He had that thing that broke all barriers with an audience. He was loved by the pros – professionals – and loved by the audience. Now Jimmy had this fantastic gift, that he was liked and loved – this is an important word – was loved – by both. One of the few comedians that all the comics used to stand on the side and watch. One of the greats.
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