Oliver Hardy was one of the most famous people of the 20th century, and his gentle sense of humor was liked by many.
He was very dedicated to his work and rarely missed a performance, even when he got older and had trouble moving around because he was overweight.
Despite the high demands of his profession, Hardy still found the time to enjoy it and never failed to bring joy to audiences everywhere he went.
It was his unique style that made him so beloved, both on and offscreen, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished through generations.
Oliver Hardy was obese from a young age and his situation only worsened with time. By the end of his life, he had become so overweight that he could barely leave his house.
In 1954, a heart attack served as a wake-up call and prompted him to take drastic measures to lose weight.
Within a few months of his heart attack, Hardy lost 150 pounds by following a very strict diet and exercise plan.
This goes to show what can be accomplished if one is determined and willing to take charge of their health.
How did Hardy manage to drop so much weight?
Thomas Hardy had always been overweight, but it wasn’t until he heard it from a medical practitioner that he started to take it seriously.
Wanting to make a change, Hardy adopted a fad diet to try and experience fast and easy results. To his surprise, it worked, as he lost an incredible amount of weight in a short period.
However, this “miracle” diet was unsustainable, being very expensive for him over a long period of time.
Therefore, logically, he reduced the amount of food he ate each day and started regular exercise, such as running, to burn calories.
These all proved successful in preventing any chance of a heart attack and enhancing his health for some time.
How much Hardy did consider at their heaviest?
Hardy weighed roughly 350 pounds at their heaviest, which was a very dangerous amount given their age and health.
How did Oliver Hardy die?
On the night of September 14, 1956, Oliver Hardy suffered a stroke that resulted in his inability to talk and sleep for several months before passing away on August 7, 1957.
This was not the only stroke he had endured two other major ones had taken place before this night.
Some specialists believe that these strokes might have been due to a fad diet that later led to cancer.
Although this cannot be proven, it is evident by his closest friend’s account that Oliver Hardy, unfortunately, had terminal cancer at the time of his passing.
Conclusion
Oliver Hardy, one of the most well-known names in comedy history, is still remembered fondly by fans across the world even many decades after his work.
His comedic talent inspired audiences for almost half a century due to his well-orchestrated physical gags and wonderfully timed lines.
His longtime partnership with Stan Laurel brought a unique style of humor that is difficult to replicate even today, making his legacy timeless.
He will remain firmly planted in the hearts of fans forever as a representation of real, classic laugh-out-loud comedy.
