Sid James attack while performing on stage at the Sunderland Empire Theatre; he died in hospital an hour later. Some, including comedian Les Dawson, claim to have seen the ghost of James at the theatre, and subsequently refused to appear at the theatre again. James was born Solomon Joel Cohen on 8 May 1913, to Jewish parents in South Africa, later changing his name to Sidney Joel Cohen, and then Sidney James. His family lived on Hancock Street in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. Upon moving to the UK later in life, he claimed various previous occupations, including diamond cutter, dance tutor and boxer; in
Lee Evans (comedian) Lee Evans (comedian) Lee John Martin Evans (born 25 February 1964) is an English stand-up comedian, actor, musician and writer from Avonmouth, England. He is a director of "Little Mo Films", which he had co-directed with the late Addison Cresswell, who was also his agent prior to Cresswell's death in December 2013. Evans became one of Britain's most popular stand-up comedians, with his "Roadrunner" tour grossing £12.9 million. He is also an established actor, having appeared in the Hollywood films "The Fifth Element" (1997), "Mouse Hunt" (1997), "There's Something About Mary" (1998), "The Ladies Man" (2000) and "The Medallion" (2003).