Fred Karno
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Fred Karno - the stage name of Frederick John Westcott (March 26, 1866 - September 18, 1941) - was a theatre impressario.
Among the young comedians who worked for him were Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. These were what was known as "Fred Karno's army", a phrase still occasionally in use in the UK.
His houseboat, the Astoria, on the Thames at Hampton, Middlesex, is now used as a recording studio by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour.
External links
- Richmond upon Thames Libraries' page (http://www.richmond.gov.uk/depts/opps/eal/leisure/libraries/history/notes/07.htm)
- Fred Karno, Tagg's Island and the Astoria (http://www.marketingreinforcements.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/index_fredkarno.html)
- Fred Karno biography (http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/sherwoodtimes/karno.htm)