Spike Milligan
(1918-2002), Comedian and writerTerence Allan ('Spike') Milligan
Sitter in 21 portraits
A unique comedy genius, Milligan made his radio debut in 1949 on Opportunity Knocks before coming to prominence as one of The Goons in the 1950s. He went on to reveal his bizarre, surreal sense of humour in television programmes including The World of Beachcomber (1968-9) and the Q series (1969-82). Milligan's publications included comic writing, verse, children's stories and several volumes of autobiography including Depression and How to Survive It (1993), a guide drawing from his own experience. In 1994 he was presented with a British Comedy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Watch Paul Merton talking about Spike Milligan in the Media section below
by Daphne Todd
oil on panel, 1996
NPG 6386
by Walter Hanlon
bromide fibre print, 1952
NPG x128883
Eric Sykes; Raymond Percy Galton; Beryl Vertue; Spike Milligan; Alan Francis Simpson
by Art-Wood Photography
gelatin silver print, 1955
NPG x198425
The Goons (Sir Harry Donald Secombe; Peter Sellers; Spike Milligan)
by Richard Sadler
bromide fibre print, late 1950s
NPG x126489
by Mark Gerson
bromide print, 1962
NPG x13771
The Goons (Peter Sellers; Spike Milligan; Sir Harry Donald Secombe)
by Bryan Wharton
bromide print, 6 May 1968
NPG x88639
by Sir Harry Donald Secombe
bromide fibre print, 1968
NPG x125348
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 30 September 1969
NPG x165643
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 30 September 1969
NPG x165644
by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1969
NPG x14143
by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, 1973
NPG x182387
by Paul Joyce
bromide print on card mount, April 1977
NPG x13414
by Homer Sykes, for Camera Press: London: UK
bromide press print, 1979
NPG x184080
by Cecil Beaton
pencil, late 1960s-early 1970s
NPG D17943(37)
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