Movies and TV

Stan Laurel (born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on June 16, 1890, in Ulverston, Lancashire, England; died February 23, 1965, in Santa Monica, California) was a comedic actor, writer, and film director best known as one half of the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy.

Laurel's career began in British music halls and vaudeville. He toured with Fred Karno's troupe, which also included Charlie Chaplin. He arrived in the United States in 1910. Initially, Laurel worked in solo comedy shorts and directing, often imitating Chaplin.

His partnership with Oliver Hardy began in the late 1920s at the Hal Roach Studios. Laurel became the creative force behind their films, directing and supervising much of their work, though Hardy received top billing. Their signature slow-burn humor, slapstick routines, and the distinct personalities of the dim-witted Stan and the pompous Hardy made them international stars.

Laurel and Hardy transitioned successfully from silent films to sound. Though their popularity waned somewhat in later years, their films continue to be celebrated and widely viewed, solidifying their place in comedy history. Laurel received a special Academy Award for his contributions to comedy in 1961.