Oliver Hardy January 18 , 1892 - August 7 , 1957 , was an American comedian , actor and director . Oliver Hardy ( January 18 , 1892 -- August 7 , 1957 ) was an American comic actor famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy , the classic double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted nearly 30 years , from 1927 to 1955 .