Entertainer. He was an immensely popular British comedian who had a loyal fan following and is credited with being the highest-paid British comedian of his time. Born Anthony John "Tony" Hancock, one of three children, he was an eleven-year-old when his father "Jack" Hancock died of lung cancer. After leaving school without graduating, Hancock attempted stand-up comedy at 16 and made his first radio broadcast in 1941. During World War II, he served as a ground crew in the Royal Air Force and after being discharged in 1942, worked with the Ralph Reader Gang Shows. After the war, he had a job as a comedian at the Windmill Theatre. Radio bookings were offered to him more and more by 1949, and in 1953, he became the resident comedian on radio's "All-Star Bill," working for the first time with comedy writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. The first radio series of "Hancock's Half Hour" began in 1954, featuring a cast that included Sid James, Hattie Jacques and Kenneth Williams. In 1956 Hancock moved into television for three years with the legendary "Hancock's Half Hour" series. This series, a newly-developed situational comedy, included classic sketches such as "The Blood Donor." His career faded after breaking with his long-time colleagues. In 1963 he appeared in the 30-minute series "Hancock's," which was not well-received and cancelled. After collapsing in January of 1967, his health seriously declined from chronic alcohol abuse. In 1968 he was under contract for a 13-episode Australian television series called "Hancock Down Under." He finished only three of the 13 episodes before he ended his life with suicide with a combination of alcohol and pills: "Things just seemed to go too wrong too many times." During his career, he appeared in minor roles in five films. His cremated remains were returned to England. Eventually, his ashes were buried with his mother, who died the next year. He was married and divorced. His 2008 biography "Tony Hancock: The Definitive Biography" was written by John Fisher. His birthplace home is adorned with a commemorative plaque. In 1996 a memorial was dedicated to Tony Hancock in Old Square in Birmingham. In the 2002 BBC Poll, he was voted the best comedian ever.