Even today, Laurel and Hardy are hugely popular around the world.
Among their celebrity fans is Mark Hamill, who starred as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise.
“I am a lifelong devotee,” he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.
“Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are, in my mind, the greatest comic duo ever. I don’t expect them ever to be topped, and I’ll never stop loving them.”
Hamill recalled a conversation on the set of Star Wars after he learned film great Peter Cushing had appeared in a Laurel and Hardy movie.
“I said to him, it must have been such a thrill to work with Laurel and Hardy. He’s taken aback and he said ‘most people don’t remember that at all’.”
Laurel’s great granddaughter Cassidy Cook, who looks after his legacy, added: “If my great grandfather was here today, I don’t think he’d realise how impactful this would still be.
“I don’t think there’s anything better than being able to laugh because this world needs it more than ever.”
Listen to more episodes of the Secret Lincolnshire podcast