Personal Info
Birth date
1959-05-03 (66 Years)
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
-
Also known as
Mr. Ben Elton
Ben Elton
Biography
Already a successful comedian, Ben Elton turned to writing situation comedies during the 1980s and penned BBC classics such as "The Young Ones" (1982), "Black-Adder II" (1986), "Black Adder the Third" (1987), "Blackadder 4" (1989) and during the 1990s "The Thin Blue Line" (1995). He provided lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, "The Beautiful Game", which was nominated for Best Musical at the Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards in 2001 (2000 season). His comedy, "Popcorn", performed at the Apollo Theatre, was awarded the 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of the 1997 season. He and Andrew Lloyd Webber were awarded the 2000 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama) for Best New Musical for "The Beautiful Game", performed at the Cambridge Theatre. Has three children : Bert, Lottie and Fred. Is co-writer of the Queen Musical 'We Will Rock You' with the band itself. He and Richard Curtis were offered the chance to write "Police Academy - The London Beat", but turned it down. Was a host of The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday: Live (2006) (TV).
Filmography
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
2.7
Overview:
The big names behind the big stories. Laura Kuenssberg talks to those making the news, inside and outside politics.Q&A
3.8
Overview:
Hosted by Hamish Macdonald, Q&A puts punters, pollies and pundits together in the studio to thrash out the hot issues of the week. It's about democracy in action - the audience gets to ask the questions.Mr. Bean
7.951
Overview:
Mr Bean turns simple everyday tasks into chaotic situations and will leave you in stitches as he creates havoc wherever he goes.The One Show
4.741
Overview:
A topical magazine-style daily television programme broadcast live on BBC One.Blackadder
8
Overview:
Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders throughout British history, from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of the First World War.Question Time
5.5
Overview:
This topical debate series based on Any Questions? typically features politicians from at least the three major political parties as well as other public figures who answer pre-selected questions put to them by a carefully selected audience.The Heaven and Earth Show
3.2
Overview:
The Heaven and Earth Show was a BBC television programme that aired on Sunday mornings from 10am to 11am on BBC One. The show ran for nine years between 1998 and 2007, looking at spiritual and moral issues. Over the years it had numerous presenters, and its final presenter was Gloria Hunniford.The Thin Blue Line
7.155
Overview:
The Thin Blue Line is a British sitcom starring Rowan Atkinson set in a police station that ran for two series on the BBC from 1995 to 1996. It was written by Ben Elton.French & Saunders
7.5
Overview:
French and Saunders is a British sketch comedy television series written by and starring comic duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. It is also the name by which the performers are known on the occasions when they appear elsewhere as a double act.Angela and Friends
5
Overview:
Daily chat show, hosted by Angela Griffin, that combines topical debate with five lifestyle clubs: Diet and Health, Beauty, Books and Travel, Entertainment and Fashion.Upstart Crow
7.1
Overview:
Comedy about the life and times of William Shakespeare as he starts to make a name for himself in London, whilst also trying to balance life as a husband and father for his family in Stratford-upon-Avon.The Young Ones
7.857
Overview:
The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard, Vyvyan the experimental scientific one/part-time anarchist, Neil the worried hippy, and Mike the ladies' man (at least he is in his mind).V Graham Norton
5
Overview:
V Graham Norton was an entertainment programme shown on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom starring Graham Norton, broadcast every weeknight as a successor to the weekly So Graham Norton. It aired from 6 May 2002 to 26 December 2003. It featured celebrities who chatted with Graham and became involved in studio games which were usually laden with sexual innuendo. The studio games were later featured on the clip show Nortonland in 2007 on digital channel Challenge. The show featured a 'webcam', a roving television camera which was randomly situated in a different place in the UK each week and which followed Graham's instructions and allowed him to interact with the public live. The feature was made technically possible using digital microwave link technology provided by Rear Window Television with the 'spontaneous' webcam feature always produced as a full quality Outside Broadcast, before being made to look like a traditional webcam at the studios.The Secret Policeman's Ball
5
Overview:
A series of benefit shows staged initially in the United Kingdom to raise funds for the human rights organisation Amnesty International. The shows started in 1976 featuring popular British comedians but later included leading musicians and actors. The Secret Policeman's Ball shows are credited by many prominent entertainers with having galvanised them to become involved with Amnesty and other social and political causes in succeeding years.Going Live!
6
Overview:
Going Live! was a Saturday morning magazine show, broadcast on BBC1 between 1987 and 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene. Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Peter Simon, Emma Forbes, and puppet Gordon the Gopher. The show was broadcast during the autumn to spring seasons, with other shows such as the 8:15 from Manchester and Parallel 9 taking over during the summer months. It was preceded by Saturday Superstore, and succeeded by Live & Kicking. In 1988, when the second series started, Greene was hurt in a helicopter crash with her then boyfriend, Mike Smith. Guest presenters stood in for her including T'Pau's Carol Decker. Similarly, in 1992-93 during the final series, Schofield was starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was unable to present the show. A third presenter took his place. Originally, Neighbours actor Kristian Schmid took the role but soon left after problems with his work permit. Various other celebrities to stand in included Shane Richie and Robbie Williams during his Take That days.Harry Enfield and Chums
7.1
Overview:
Harry Enfield, Kathy Burke, Paul Whitehouse and others take on an array of oddball characters and old-time favorites in this sketch comedy show.Enough Rope With Andrew Denton
6.5
Overview:
Enough Rope with Andrew Denton is a television interview show originally broadcast on ABC1 in Australia. The title of the show came from the phrase "give someone enough rope and they'll hang themselves". The program was the brainchild of Australian comedian, social critic, producer and media personality Andrew Denton, who hosted the show. The hour-long chat show aired from 2003 to 2008.Girls On Top
4.8
Overview:
Four girls share a flat together in London. Having nothing in common aside from their gender, they barely manage to co-exist.Filthy Rich & Catflap
6.6
Overview:
Richie causes trouble in his pursuit of TV fame with Eddie, his alcoholic minder, and Filthy, his sponging agent.Have You Been Paying Attention?
7.5
Overview:
New Zealand's best and brightest comedians showcase their current affairs prowess unpacking the hot topics of the week: politics, sports, pop culture news and international affairs to test just who’s been paying attention…Saturday Live
6.7
Overview:
Saturday Live was a British television comedy and music show broadcast by Channel 4 from 1985 to 1987, and in 1988 as Friday Night Live. Influenced by the American show Saturday Night Live, it was produced by Paul Jackson. The series made stars of Ben Elton, Harry Enfield, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, and featured appearances by Patrick Marber, Morwenna Banks, Chris Barrie, Emo Philips, Craig Ferguson, Craig Charles and many others. The show featured comic duo Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall in their act The Dangerous Brothers. All episodes were transmitted live, although some material was pre-recorded. Recordings of shows were edited into compilation repeats, retitled Saturday Almost Live. The show was succeeded by Friday Night Live, a shorter and slightly more tightly-formatted show with Elton as the permanent host, which ran for a single series in 1988. The show's titles consisted of reforming clay animations, highly comparable to early MTV idents.Much Ado About Nothing
6.935
Overview:
In this Shakespearean farce, Hero and her groom-to-be, Claudio, team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro, the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick and Beatrice -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John plots to ruin the wedding.Happy Families
6.7
Overview:
Happy Families was a rural comedy drama written by Ben Elton which appeared on the BBC in 1985 and told the story of the dysfunctional Fuddle family. It starred Jennifer Saunders as Granny Fuddle, Dawn French as the Cook and Adrian Edmondson as her imbecilic grandson Guy. The plot centred around Guy's attempts to find his four sisters - also played by Saunders, for a family reunion.Stark
5.8
Overview:
The greenhouse effect has plunged the near-future world into recession and the Stark Corporation is making billions from the crisis; an eco protester ends caught up in a global conspiracy involving some Australian land, toxic waste, and a mysterious beauty called Rachel. Based on the novel Stark by Ben Elton.All Is True
6.056
Overview:
London, June 29th, 1613. The Globe Theater, ran by the famous playwright William Shakespeare, accidentally burns to ashes. Seriously affected, he stops writing and returns to his hometown, where his wife Anne and daughters Judith and Susanna get surprised to hear he intends to stay there definitively, after two decades working in the capital, neglecting his sincere affections for them.Love Never Dies
7.009
Overview:
Set ten years after the events at the Paris Opera House, the Phantom has fled to New York, where he lives amongst the joyrides and freak shows of Coney Island. He has finally found a place for his music to soar, all that is missing is his love Christine Daaé. In a bid to win back her love, the Phantom lures Christine, her husband Raoul, and their young son Gustave from Manhattan, to the glittering and glorious world of Coney Island... they have no idea what lies in store for them...This Morning
5.2
Overview:
This Morning features a variety of news, as well as show business, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home and garden, food, tech, live phone-ins, and competitions.Live from Studio Five
3.714
Overview:
Live from Studio Five was an early-evening British magazine programme which was produced by Sky News for Channel 5. It was presented by Kate Walsh and a line-up of other co-presenters during its run. It consisted of interviews and discussing topical issues, with an emphasis on showbusiness news and celebrity gossip, after originally covering stories from a popular news agenda. It aired its final edition on 4 February 2011 and was replaced by OK! TV in February 2011 which lasted just nine months on air before itself being axed.Blessed
6
Overview:
Blessed is a BBC television sitcom written by Ben Elton and starring Ardal O'Hanlon as Gary, a record producer, who is struggling to bring up two small children. The series was broadcast on BBC One on Friday evenings at 9.00pm between October and December 2005. It featured the lullaby Morningtown Ride as its theme, sung by the cast band. No second series was commissioned.Acting
TBALaughs and Larrikins as Unknown
2025But Also John Clarke as Self
2024The Chris McCausland Show (1 Episode) as Self
2023Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster as Self
2023Blackadder: A Cunning Story as Self – Contributor
2023Blackadder: The Lost Pilot as Self
2022Ben Elton: Live as Self
2022Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (1 Episode) as Unknown
2020The BRITs at 40 as Self
2019Have You Been Paying Attention? (1 Episode) as Panellist
2018The London Studios: Home of the Stars as Self
2018How The Young Ones Changed Comedy as (Archive Footage)
2014Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule as Self
2012The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker as Self
2009Angela and Friends (1 Episode) as Unknown
2009Live from Studio Five (1 Episode) as Self
2008Blackadder Rides Again as Self
2008We Are Most Amused as Self
2008Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments as Self
2008Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga as Self
2008Q&A (1 Episode) as Self - Panellist
2007Ben Elton: The Get A Grip Tour Live as Himself
2007Get a Grip (6 Episodes) as Unknown
2006Is Benny Hill Still Funny? as Self
2006The One Show (1 Episode) as Self
2006When Comedy Changed Forever as Self (archive material)
2003Enough Rope With Andrew Denton (1 Episode) as Unknown
2002V Graham Norton (1 Episode) as Self
1998All Saints: The Video as Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
1998The Heaven and Earth Show (1 Episode) as Unknown
1998The Ben Elton Show (8 Episodes) as Unknown
1998Parkinson (4 Episodes) as Self
1997Ben Elton: Live as Himself
1997The Story of Bean as Self
1996Clive Anderson All Talk (1 Episode) as Self
1995The Thin Blue Line (1 Episode) as Homeless Man
1994Harry Enfield and Chums (1 Episode) as Benny Elton
1994Filth! as Himself
1993Stark (3 Episodes) as CD
1993Ben Elton: Very Live as Himself
1993Much Ado About Nothing as Verges
1990Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie (12 Episodes) as Unknown
1989Saturday Night Clive (1 Episode) as Unknown
1989The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball as Self
1988This Morning (1 Episode) as Self
1987Going Live! (1 Episode) as Self
1987French & Saunders (1 Episode) as Guest
1987Filthy Rich & Catflap (1 Episode) as Art Exhibition Guest
1987The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball as Self
1986The Comic Relief Utterly Utterly Rude Video Live as Self
1986Omnibus Presents Comic Relief (1 Episode) as Unknown
1986Saturday Live (30, 10 Episode) as Unknown, Host
1985Happy Families (1 Episode) as Roland
1983Blackadder (1 Episode) as Anarchist
1983Alfresco (13 Episodes) as Various
1982The Young Ones (1, 2, 1, 1 Episode) as Baz, Radio DJ, Grange Hill Student, Man in Hawk Advert
1982There's Nothing to Worry About! (3 Episodes) as Various
1982O.T.T. (1 Episode) as Unknown
1979Question Time (1 Episode) as Self - Panellist
1976The Secret Policeman's Ball (15 Episodes) as Self
Writing
2023Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster ... Writer
2022Ben Elton: Live ... Writer
2018All Is True ... Screenplay
2017Three Summers ... Writer
2016Upstart Crow (18 Episodes) ... Writer
2012Love Never Dies ... Musical, Writer
2010The One Ronnie ... Writer
2008Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga ... Writer
2000Maybe Baby ... Screenplay, Novel
1999Blackadder: Back & Forth ... Writer
1997Ben Elton: Live ... Writer
1995The Thin Blue Line (14 Episodes) ... Writer
1994Filth! ... Writer
1993Stark (3, 3 Episode) ... Writer, Author
1993Ben Elton: Very Live ... Writer
1992Rowan Atkinson Live: Invisible Drum Kit ... Writer
1992Rowan Atkinson Live ... Writer
1991Mr. Bean Takes an Exam ... Writer
1990Mr. Bean (2 Episodes) ... Writer
1988Blackadder's Christmas Carol ... Writer
1988Blackadder: The Cavalier Years ... Writer
1987Filthy Rich & Catflap ... Writer
1987Filthy Rich & Catflap (6 Episodes) ... Writer
1985Girls On Top (13 Episodes) ... Script Editor
1985Happy Families (6 Episodes) ... Writer
1984Madness the Pilot ... Writer
1983Blackadder (18 Episodes) ... Writer
1983Alfresco (13 Episodes) ... Writer
1982The Young Ones (12 Episodes) ... Writer
1982There's Nothing to Worry About! (3 Episodes) ... Writer
Crew
2023Blackadder: A Cunning Story ... Thanks
Directing
2017Three Summers ... Director
2005Blessed (8 Episodes) ... Director
2000Maybe Baby ... Director
Creator
2016Upstart Crow ... Creator
2013The Wright Way ... Creator
1995The Thin Blue Line ... Creator
1993Stark ... Creator
1990Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie ... Creator
1987Filthy Rich & Catflap ... Creator
1983Blackadder ... Creator
1982The Young Ones ... Creator
1982There's Nothing to Worry About! ... Creator
Production
1995The Thin Blue Line (14 Episodes) ... Producer