Victor Oliver von Samek (8 July 1898 – 15 August 1964) was an Austrian-born British musician, entertainer, comedian and actor, most popular between the 1920s and 1950s.
Early life and musical career
He was born in Vienna into a Jewish family, the son of Baron Viktor von Samek. He played tennis, football and hockey as a youth and became junior tennis champion of Austria in 1914.
After the war he briefly worked as a banker and for a textile manufacturer,
Oliver featured in a string of popular revues, just before and after the start of the Second World War, including Black and Blue, Black Velvet, and The Night and the Music. During the war he starred in the BBC radio show Hi, Gang!
He had aspirations as a conductor and in 1944 founded the Vic Oliver Concert Orchestra, which gave light classical concerts as well as complete opera performances. He was a regular on Henry Hall's Guest Night and Workers' Playtime and, as a music-based comedian, has been considered a precursor of Victor Borge. In 1953 he established Variety Playhouse as a primetime radio show featuring music, comedy and light drama; the show did not survive him. He later became president of the Brentford Supporters' Club. It was noted that Oliver never capitalised on his relationship with Sarah Churchill, despite attractive offers. Oliver married Natalie Frances Conder in 1946 in Westminster, London, and they had one daughter.
He collapsed and died during a performance in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1964, aged 66. Relatives still live in Vienna.