Ernie Wise

Known for Acting

11/27/1925

Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK

Biography

Ernest Wiseman, OBE, known by his stage name Ernie Wise, was an English comedian, best known as one half of the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, who became a national institution on British television, especially for their Christmas specials

Known For (35 credits)

Movie

Morecambe & Wise: The Unseen Tapes

2025

Hilarious rare and unseen footage of Britain's beloved comedy duo, including some footage previously unseen on network television. Also features Gail Morecambe, Gary Morecambe, Judi Dench, Wayne Sleep, Rula Lenska and more.

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Movie

Morecambe & Wise: The Lost Tapes

2021

A series of sketches taken from the recently-unearthed Morecambe & Wise tape that contained footage which had not been seen for 50 years, and was believed to have been lost forever. The newly discovered half-hour show featured a series of gag-packed routines involving stage curtains, ventriloquism and a daring sketch in which Eric eavesdrops on a newly wedded couple in the flat next door. Now, contributors including Jonathan Ross, Ben Miller and Eddie Izzard look back at this rare slice of classic comedy once again.

Movie

Eric & Ernie's Home Movies

2017

Morecambe & Wise are arguably the most popular and loved double acts ever to have been on television, but off it they built up quite an archive too - largely unseen until now - which reveals what Eric and Ernie were really like in the company of family and friends. Both Eric and Ernie were avid home movie makers, chronicling their rise to fame and recording key moments in their private and family lives, at home and abroad. Now for the first time, with access to Morecambe & Wise's entire home movie collection, this documentary shows Eric and Ernie at work and at play, on tour and on holiday, from summer season in Blackpool to trying to make it in the USA, from their pre-television fame days to the height of their career.

The Perfect Morecambe & Wise

2014

A collection of the very best sketches, songs and comedy routines from the much-loved Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.

Movie

Eric & Ernie: Behind the Scenes

2011

A history of the British television comedy double act Morecambe & Wise to coincide with the BBC drama about their early lives.

Movie

Morecambe & Wise: In Their Own Words

2008

Jonathan Ross introduces the story of British television's greatest double act as they told it themselves, using television appearances, rare radio material and correspondence from the BBC archives to build up a fascinating portrait of their lives and careers. The programme reveals how, as young performers, Eric and Ernie really did share a bed, and reveals the BBC's rather lofty response when they first auditioned for television in 1948.

Movie

Morecambe & Wise: Christmas Specials

2007

Running from 1969 until 1977, the BBC Christmas shows were usually on Christmas Day. These classic sketches revolved around famous guest stars, such as Eric Porter, Fenella Fielding, Ann Hamilton, Peter Gushing, Glenda Jackson, Andre Previn and Des O'Connor, being made fun of by Eric and Ernie.

Movie

The Best of Morecambe and Wise

2001

Compilation of sketches featuring the much-loved funnymen Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Includes 'Anthony and Cleopatra' with Glenda Jackson, 'Monty in the Bounty' with Arthur Lowe, the famous 'Singing in the Rain' routine, and Eric and Ernie making breakfast to the sound of 'The Stripper'.

Movie

The Best Of Morecambe & Wise

2001

A collection of some of your favourite sketches from an irreplaceable comedy partnership, including: "Anthony & Cleopatra", starring Glenda Jackson (but without Caesar, who'd come down with a touch of the "hieroglyphics"). "Monty On The Bounty" - with Arthur Lowe as Captain Blight, Eric Morecambe as Fletcher Christian and Ernie Wise as Midshipman Tinkle. "The meeting of Byron and Keats" - including such unforgettable lines as "two cows eating grass on a sunny hillock, by four tomorrow that grass will be mil-lock!" "Eric being well and truly "lacquered" as a long-standing member of a bar-football team - with new recruit, Ernie, strapped alongside him on the wooden bar. The classic "Singing In The Rain" Sketch. And, most famous of all, Eric & Ernie making breakfast to the sound of the stripper music.

Movie

Parkinson Meets Morecambe and Wise

1999

Michael Parkinson looks back at his 1972 interview with comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, who he describes as 'the funniest double act we ever produced. The interview, which Parkinson cites as the wittiest he ever conducted, sees Morecambe and Wise at their absolute best, speaking about their pasts, their heroes and their friendship.

Movie

The Importance of Being Ernie

1993

Ernie Wise was always part of a double-act. As one half of Morecambe and Wise, Britain's most successful comedy team, he enjoyed the lifestyle of the rich and famous. It was a partnership that lasted 46 years - until Eric died in 1984. Then his "little fat friend" had to go on alone. Being number two in their act was never easy for Ernie, and a new solo act has proved even more difficult. Last Christmas, for the first time in 20 years, he appeared in pantomime. This film examines what drives him to want to make a comeback when he could be enjoying his retirement. He is seen preparing for panto, remembering the great times, reliving the jokes; Ernie reveals all, including the hairpiece and the join.

Movie

That's Television Television

1986

Featuring sketches from famous BBC comedy shows.