Spike Milligan
ComedianWriter
Ireland1918–2002
Spike Milligan was an Irish comedian, writer, actor, and poet best known as the co-creator and principal writer of The Goon Show. His surreal and experimental comedy had a major influence on later British comedians and programs, including Monty Python. [2]
Career and work
Milligan became best known as the principal writer and one of the performers on The Goon Show, the BBC radio comedy series that ran through the 1950s. His surreal writing and characters helped establish the program’s distinctive style and had a lasting influence on British comedy. [2]
Beyond The Goon Show, Milligan wrote extensively for radio, television, stage, and print. He published poetry, comic writing, and a series of bestselling autobiographical books about his experiences during the Second World War, beginning with Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall. [2]
What has been publicly discussed
- Milligan publicly identified himself as having manic depression, the older term for bipolar disorder. He spoke about the condition in interviews and described having experienced it for much of his adult life. [1]
- In one interview, Milligan said plainly, “I’m a manic depressive,” and described the condition as something he had to learn to live with rather than something he could simply eliminate. [3]
- Milligan described recurrent mood swings and severe depression. He said manic depression had sometimes caused him to behave unreasonably, while depressive periods could become serious enough that he found himself in psychiatric wards. [1]
- He also experienced repeated nervous breakdowns during his career. Milligan linked several of them to the intense pressure of producing The Goon Show, saying that the workload also affected his first marriage. [2][1]
- Milligan received psychiatric treatment during repeated periods of severe illness. His treatment over the years included medication, electroconvulsive therapy, and lithium. [5][4]
- In Depression and How to Survive It, psychiatrist Anthony Clare records a severe manic-depressive episode requiring hospitalization in 1953 and further admissions for depression. During a 1990 admission for severe depression, Milligan was treated with antidepressants and ECT and was started on lithium in an effort to prevent further episodes. [5]
- Milligan’s illness followed a recurrent course over decades rather than a period of permanent remission. Clare documented repeated relapses beginning in the early 1950s, with periods of functioning between episodes and recurring depression later in life. [5]
- Milligan spoke openly about manic depression and became the first patron of the Manic Depression Fellowship, an organization now known as Bipolar UK. His involvement brought public attention to the organization and its work supporting people affected by bipolar disorder. [6]
- He also collaborated with psychiatrist Anthony Clare on Depression and How to Survive It, drawing on decades of his own experience to explore depression and approaches to coping with it. [5]
“I’m a manic depressive. There’s nothing you can do about it… You must make the best of it.”
— Spike Milligan [3]
Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.
Sources used for this profile
The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.
The Observer / The Guardian“The last laugh” Interview in which Milligan speaks directly about manic depression, psychiatric illness, his behaviour, and the effects of his condition on his work.
The Guardian“Spike Milligan” Obituary covering Milligan’s central role in The Goon Show, writing career, influence, and recurrent breakdowns.
Irish Independent“Life was no laughing matter for the father of British comedy” Retrospective containing Milligan’s own description of himself as manic-depressive and his perspective on living with the condition.
View all 6 sources
The Guardian“Black Beauty’s dark secret” Discusses Milligan’s recurrent depression and psychiatric treatment, including ECT and lithium.
PenguinDepression and How to Survive It — Spike Milligan and Anthony Clare Book-length collaboration drawing on Milligan’s experience of recurrent depression and including Anthony Clare’s account of his psychiatric history and treatment.
Bipolar UK“Our story” The organization’s history documenting Milligan as the first patron of the Manic Depression Fellowship.
Learn more
Recommended books and other resources about Spike Milligan and their experiences.