Oliver "Ollie" Hardy (born
Norvell Hardy) (January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American
comic actor famous as one half of
Laurel and Hardy, the classic
double act that began in the era of
silent films and lasted 25 years, from 1927 to 1951. He was credited with his first film,
Outwitting Dad, in 1914. In some of his early works, he was billed as
Babe Hardy, using his nickname.