Hardwicke was a favorite of George Bernard Shaw, having made notable appearances in the playwright's "The Apple Cart," "Too True To Be Good," and "Caesar and Cleopatra (1945)." Shaw initially referred to Hardwicke as his fifth favorite actor, the other four being the Marx Brothers. Later, he referred to him as his fourth favorite actor, presumably after Zeppo retired from the act.
He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1934 King George V's Honours List for his services to drama.
He was reputedly George Bernard Shaw's favourite actor.
His hometown of Lye, is also home to independent filmmaker Dave James.
Son with Helena Pickard: Edward Hardwicke.
Was nominated for Broadway's 1959 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "A Majority of One."
When Hardwicke died, his money was so eaten up by hospital expenses incurred during his final illness that there was no money left to pay for a funeral. Several actors' funds, in honor of his long, distinguished career, donated the money.
When Hardwicke was knighted in 1934, the hard-of-hearing King George V, after being prompted by a courtier, announced after dubbing the kneeling actor: "Rise, Sir Cedric Pickwick".