Nat Jackley, a renowned English comic actor, was born Nathaniel Tristram Jackley Hirsch on July 16, 1909, in Sunderland. As a member of a theatrical family, his father, George Jackley, was a prominent comic actor who performed at the Lyceum Theatre with the Melville Brothers during the interwar period.
George Jackley himself was the son of Nathan Jackley, who led his own troupe, The Jackley Wonders, in circuses throughout Europe and the United States. Nat's brother, David, was also an actor, and his wife, Marianne Lincoln, was a scriptwriter who often served as Nat's comedy foil.
Nat Jackley's unique trademarks included his rubber-neck dance, skeletal frame, and peculiar speech impediment, which made him a formidable and hilarious comedian and pantomime dame. He had a long and successful career, starring in variety, film, and pantomime from the 1920s to the mid-1980s.
As his career progressed, Nat Jackley transitioned to character acting in films and television, spending his later years in this field. Interestingly, Nat Jackley was also a member of the Freemasons, adding another layer of depth to his multifaceted personality.
Throughout his life, Nat Jackley was deeply rooted in his family's theatrical heritage, and his unique blend of talents and quirks made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry.
