February 27, 2002

Born Terence Alan Patrick Sean Milligan, “Spike” Milligan was a comedian and writer famous for “The Goon Show.” Milligan was born in India and spent much of his childhood there, but eventually became an Irish citizen in 1962. He joined the British Army and served in World War II. During this time he wrote a full length comic novel called “Puckoon,” which is an autobiographical account of the war beginning with “Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall.” Following the war, Milligan turned to radio, with “The Goon Show” on BBC, and then television with “Q5,” a sketch show which heavily influenced Monty Python. He was made an Honorary Knight by Prince Charles of Wales, who was a close friend. Milligan died on February 27, 2002.