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An amiable, beloved Cockney cut-up from the 1930s on, London-born Tommy Trinder, the son of a tram driver, quit school and sought the stage, milking laughs at the tender age of 13 in a musical revue that was touring South Africa. Following that he became a boy vocalist at Collins' Music-Hall. The wry, rubber-faced comedian gradually built up his name in traveling variety shows, clubs and dance halls, then achieved stardom in the musical revues "Tune In" and "In Town Tonight" (both 1937).
Known for his trademark leering glare, wagging finger, spade-jawed grin, effortless ad-libbing, pork-pie hat and catchphrase "You lucky people!", Trinder made his film debut in 1938 in the musical comedy Save a Little Sunshine (1938). He then top-lined the mild comedy Almost a Honeymoon (1938) and kept things moving in Laugh It Off (1940) and She Couldn't Say No (1940). He scored one of his biggest hits sharing top billing with Claude Hulbert and Michael Wilding in the cheeky WWII comedy Three Cockeyed Sailors (1940), the tale of three tipsy navy buddies who accidentally find themselves aboard a Nazi ship and become heroes. Trinder's standout role, in which he also sang two songs, kept him in the Ealing Studios fold for years to come.
A huge radio favorite, he continued on the live stage at such forums as the London Palladium (where he was a major headliner) while managing to entertain war-weary audiences with his special brand of movie escapism. He provided excellent comedy relief in the war adventure Somewhere in France (1942), then showed a serious side in a moving tribute to firefighters during London's "blitz" with Far into the Night (1943). Back in top comic form with While Nero Fiddled (1944), he stepped into an almost semi-autobiographical role with Champagne Charlie (1944), the story of 1860s music hall entertainer George Leybourne.
Trinder's film career began to wane after the war. He did not appear in another film, in fact, until Bitter Springs (1950). He tested out the new medium of television and eventually became a top presence in variety shows, particularly on Val Parnell's Sunday Night at the London Palladium (1955).
In later years the entertainer could still draw heavy crowds especially on stage, in pantomime and in cabaret shows. He also appeared on occasion in film cameos. In 1975, after decades of delighting British audiences, Trinder was designated a Commander in the Order of the British Empire. He died at age 80 from a heart ailment on July 10, 1989. A biography by Patrick Newley entitled "You Lucky People! - The Tommy Trinder Story" was published in 2008.
