George Harrison (February 25, 1943 – November 29, 2001) was an English musician, singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Harrison had a wonderfully dry and witty sense of humor. He often displayed it in interviews, song lyrics, and even through projects like Monty Python’s Life of Brian, which he helped fund through his production company, HandMade Films.
Harrison was known for poking fun at the seriousness of the music industry, like when he appeared on Rutland Weekend Television (which led to The Rutles, a parody of The Beatles). His music video for “Got My Mind Set on You” even had a funny twist, with an older man dancing unexpectedly.
George Harrison had a great sense of humor, and there are plenty of funny and quirky facts about him! Here are 10 that will make you smile:
1. He Pranked Phil Collins: George tricked Phil Collins into thinking he had played on “All Things Must Pass” by giving him a fake, terrible drum recording years later. Phil believed it was real and was mortified—until George revealed it was a joke!
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| Portrait of a young Phil Collins in the 1960s. |
2. His Love for Monty Python: George was such a huge Monty Python fan that he literally funded Life of Brian when the original backers pulled out. He mortgaged his house to do it, calling it “the most expensive cinema ticket ever.”
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| Eric Idle and George Harrison on the set of Monty Python’s Life of Brian, 1978. |
3. He Disguised Himself at a Beatles Tribute Event: In 1974, he sneaked into a Hollywood event honoring the Beatles by dressing in a wig and fake mustache. No one recognized him!
4. He Was a Gardening Addict: George was so obsessed with gardening that Tom Petty once said, “He’d rather talk about hedges than guitars.”
5. He Trolled Paul McCartney With a Ukulele: He loved the ukulele and would play one endlessly, sometimes just to annoy Paul McCartney.
