STAN LAUREL & OLIVER HARDY - THE LAST GOODBYE Oliver Hardy was heavy, sick, and had suffered a stroke in 1956. He couldn't speak well anymore. Stan Laurel, his comedy partner of 30 years, came to see him every single day. Doctors said Oliver would not recover. Stan would bring his old bowler hats. He would try to make his friend laugh. He would do their little routines at his bedside, even though Oliver could barely respond. One day, a nurse found Stan acting out their famous dance, alone, next to Hardy's bed. Hardy, who hadn't smiled in weeks, gave a tiny smile. On August 7, 1957, Oliver Hardy died. Stan was devastated. He refused to ever perform again. He said, "I can't do it. There is no Hardy. I would miss Babe too much." For the next 8 years until his own death, Stan would write sketches for Hardy that he knew would never be filmed. He kept them in a drawer. He would answer every fan letter that mentioned Oliver personally. Because for Stan, Laurel and Hardy was never an act.