NOTED COMEDIAN DEAD

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22475, 9 January 1943, Page 4

NOTED COMEDIAN DEAD

Fred Bluett’s Career

Mr Fred Bluett. 66, one of Australia’s most popular comedians of stage and radio, recently died suddenly at his home at Double Bay, Sydney. He had worked hard all day making recordings, and in the evening had played the part of a Cockney air raid warden in a broadcast, “Searchlight Over London.” Mr Bluett was bom of theatrical parents in England, and came to Australia when he was 16 to learn the boot trade from a relative in Melbourne. He was interested in boxing and amateur theatricals, and first appeared in amateur shows in Melbourne in 1892. His humour soon made him a favourite, and he subsequently toured Tasmania and New Zealand. In 1913 he went to England, and won immediate popularity. He returned with his family to Australia in 1917. About eight years ago he took up radio work.

Mr Bluett is survived by a widow and two daughters. The younger, Kitty, is well known on stage and radio. His son, Gus. who died a few years ago. was a popular comedian.