Biography
Oliver Hardy was an American comic actor best known as one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Born Norvell Hardy on 18 January 1892 in Harlem, Georgia, he began his film career in 1914 and was often billed as Babe Hardy in early silent shorts. He appeared in numerous films as a supporting player before joining Hal Roach Studios.
From 1927, Hardy teamed with Stan Laurel, appearing together in 107 short films, features and cameos until 1951. Their work included the shorts The Music Box (1932) and Busy Bodies (1933), and features such as Sons of the Desert (1933), Way Out West (1937), Block-Heads (1938) and A Chump at Oxford (1940). He also appeared as himself in The Hollywood Revue of 1929.
Hardy died on 7 August 1957 in North Hollywood, California, aged 65.
