Even today, Laurel and Hardy are hugely popular around the world.<\/p>\n
Among their celebrity fans is Mark Hamill, who starred as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise.<\/p>\n
“I am a lifelong devotee,” he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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’.”<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
“I don’t think there’s anything better than being able to laugh because this world needs it more than ever.”<\/p>\n