Spike Milligan was a very famous Irish comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright, and actor. He is best known for his work on the radio show The Goon Show and his autobiographical novels about his experiences in the British Army during World War Two. His war memoir was entitled “Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall”.
Milligan was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which had a large impact on his life. He experienced severe depression and frequent mental breakdowns throughout his career. He will always be remembered as a comic genius. He was a major influence to Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and also Monty python, and many others. His comedy genius was perhaps influenced by episodes of mania.
On his headstone was written in Irish “Dúirt mé leat go raibh mé breoite.” It meant “I told you I was Ill”
He also had written “love, light, peace”
Here is a video on his life time achievement on the British Comedy Awards:
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