Hal Roach

Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director, and actor from the 1910s to the 1990s, best known today for producing the Laurel and Hardy and Our Gang (later known as The Little Rascals) film comedy series.

Early life and career

Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York, the grandson of Irish immigrants. A presentation by the great American humorist Mark Twain impressed Roach as a young grade school student.

After an adventurous youth that took him to Alaska, Hal Roach arrived in Hollywood, California in 1912 and began working as an extra in silent films. Upon coming into an inheritance, he began producing short comedies in 1915 with his friend Harold Lloyd, who portrayed a character known as Lonesome Luke.

In September 1916, Roach married actress Marguerite Nichols. They had two children, Hal Jr. (June 15, 1918 – March 29, 1972) and Margaret M. Roach (March 15, 1921 – November 22, 1964). After 26 years of marriage, Marguerite died in 1940.

Hal Roach (comedian)

Hal Roach (4 November 1927 28 February 2012) was a prominent Irish comedian. He spent over 60 years in show business, and was featured in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest-running engagement of a comedian at the same venue: 26 years at Jury's Irish Cabaret, Jury's Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin.

Career

Born John Roach in Waterford, where he attended the Manor C.B.S., school. He began his career after winning a local talent competition as a boy soprano. He initially toured with an illusionist and specialised in magic, but later moved to comedy.

A typical Hal Roach joke is as follows: "He told me that I have a cult following, at least I think that's what he said".

Another- "There is a man sitting in the middle of the road casting his fishing line... now none of us is perfect, but c'mon! So I asked him, "How many have you caught today?" He said, "You're the ninth."

Perhaps his most famous catchphrase is "Write it down, it's a good one!".

Influence

Roach has been cited as a major influence by other comedians such as Brendan Grace.

Podcasts:

PLAYLIST TIME:

Latest News for: hal roach

Edit

Actor who inspired Homer Simpson's famous catchphrase is honoured with painting in hometown theatre | ...

The Daily Mail 12 Mar 2025
Often his parts would see him perform a drawn-out ‘D’ooooooh’ in exasperation at a particular mishap ... He was eventually hired by Sennett’s rival Hal Roach, and would go onto feature in 33 Laurel and Hardy films - usually as a villain or an antagonist.
  • 1
×