Thomas Terry Hoar-Stevens, better known as Terry-Thomas, was a British comedian born in Lichfield Grove, Finchley, to Ellen Elizabeth (Hoar) and Ernest Frederick Stevens, a London businessman. Despite his privileged upbringing, Terry was deemed to have no acting talent and was rejected by his school's dramatic society. He turned to music, fronting his own jazz band, "The Rhythm Maniacs", and playing the ukulele.
Terry's early work experiences were unfulfilling, and he was often bullied. He adopted the motto "I Shall Not Be Cowed" and began to pursue a career in comedy, changing his accent to sound more posh and performing as an extra in films and a comedian in nightclubs.
World War II interrupted his career, and Terry joined the Army Signals Corps, rising to the rank of sergeant. He participated in the ENSA program, staging his own shows and developing his unique mannerisms. After the war, he became the comic discovery of the year with his revue "Piccadilly Hayride" and later starred in his own radio show, "To Town with Terry".
Terry's breakthrough came with his TV series, "How Do You View?", and he was soon invited to perform at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. He starred in several films produced by the Boulting brothers, including "Private's Progress" and "Lucky Jim", which cemented his reputation as a comedic actor.
Terry's popularity flourished with films that satirized British institutions, and he became known for his dandified screen persona. He played a range of characters, from inept diplomats to sophisticated bon vivants, and became synonymous with the "jolly good show"-type comedy.
Terry's later years were marked by a struggle with Parkinson's disease, and he was forced to sell his villa in Ibiza and move back to Britain. Despite his financial struggles, Terry remained a beloved figure in show business, and a benefit was held to raise funds for him. Terry-Thomas died in January 1990 at the age of 78.
