Will Hay Blue Plaque

About This Blue Plaque

Will Hay (1888-1949) was a beloved English comic actor and amateur astronomer best known for his comedic roles in British films during the 1930s and 40s. Born in Stockton-on-Tees, Hay began his entertainment career as a music hall performer before transitioning to the silver screen.

As an actor, Hay often portrayed incompetent authority figures in farcical situations, endearing himself to audiences with his trademark humor and expressive features. Some of his most memorable films include “Oh, Mr Porter!” (1937), “Ask a Policeman” (1939), and “Where’s That Fire?” (1940). Hay’s comedic style influenced generations of British comedians who followed in his footsteps.

Beyond his acting career, Hay was a passionate amateur astronomer. He lived at 45 The Chase in Norbury, Croydon from 1927 to 1934, during which time he pursued his astronomical interests. Hay built a personal observatory equipped with a 6-inch refractor telescope at his Norbury residence, using it to observe and photograph celestial objects. In 1933, he discovered a white spot on Saturn, which is now believed to have been a rare “Great White Spot” storm in the planet’s atmosphere. Hay’s astronomical work earned him a Fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1932.

Sadly, Will Hay passed away in 1949 at the age of 60, but his legacy as a pioneering comedian and dedicated amateur astronomer lives on. The blue plaque at his former Norbury home, erected in 2000, serves as a testament to his lasting impact on British entertainment and his contributions to the field of astronomy.