15 Utterly Smashing Britcom Stars

by lacroixdarling | created - 17 Jul 2013 | updated - 17 Jul 2013 | Public

The Top 15 coolest, funniest, most brilliant stars in British Comedy !

1. Jennifer Saunders

Actress | Absolutely Fabulous

Jennifer Saunders was born July 6, 1958 in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, to Jane, a biology teacher, and Robert Thomas Saunders, an RAF pilot. She attended Central School of Speech and Drama where she met her comedy partner Dawn French. Like many of the early 80s groundbreaking "alternative" comedians ...

Show: Absolutely Fabulous Character: Edina Monsoon

2. Dylan Moran

Actor | Black Books

Irish comedian Dylan Moran was born in Navan, County Meath in 1971. Leaving school without any qualifications at age 16, Moran quickly became attracted to stand-up comedy and debuted, in 1992, at a comedy club in Dublin, The Comedy Cellar. A year later, he won the Channel Four comedy newcomer's "So...

Show: Black Books Character: Bernard Black

3. Joanna Lumley

Actress | Absolutely Fabulous

Joanna Lumley was born on 1 May, 1946 in Kashmir, India, to British parents, Thya Beatrice Rose (Weir) and James Rutherford Lumley. Her father was a major in the Gurkha Rifles, and she spent most of her early childhood in the Far East where her father was posted.

An aspiring actress, she first came ...

Show: Absolutely Fabulous Character: Patsy Stone

4. Dermot Morgan

Actor | Father Ted

Dermot went to University College Dublin, where he studied English and Philosopy. In 1974 he took up a teaching post, but left 2 years later to persue the comedy career that he had started at university. In 1979 his first introduction to TV came with an appearance on "Live Mike" on RTE television ...

Show: Father Ted Character: Father Ted Crilly

5. Pauline McLynn

Actress | Father Ted

She is the eldest of three children. Her mother is an art teacher and painter, and her father is a car parts salesman. She went to Trinity College at Dublin University, where she studied the History of Art, and English Literature. She began acting at school and continued it at University.

Show: Father Ted Character: Mrs Doyle

6. Rik Mayall

Actor | The Young Ones

Rik Mayall, one of the first and foremost alternative comedians in the UK, was born in Matching Tye, a village just outside Harlow in Essex. His parents, John and Gillian, were both drama teachers. His acting debut was at the age of seven when he appeared in one of his father's stage plays. He met ...

Show: The Young Ones Character: Rick

7. Adrian Edmondson

Actor | Bancroft

Adrian Edmondson was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. He went to Manchester University to study drama. Whilst he was there he met Rik Mayall, and the pair began performing as 20th Century Coyote. The act continued after university when Adrian & Rik moved to London, and they became two of ...

Show: The Young Ones Character: Vyvyan

8. Nigel Planer

Actor | Brazil

Nigel Planer was born in London and educated at the prestigious Westminster School. He then went to Sussex University to study African and Asian Studies. However, he left after a year and decided to pursue his love of theatre. He trained as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

...

Show: The Young Ones Character: Neil Pye

9. Christopher Ryan

Actor | Bottom

Born in Bayswater, London on January 25, 1950, Christopher Papazoglou, later known as Christopher Ryan, trained at East 15 Acting School for three years before going to perform at the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre.

Even though he portrayed a few minor roles in various television shows, It wasn't until ...

Show: The Young Ones Character: Mike The Cool Person

10. Jane Horrocks

Actress | Life Is Sweet

Jane Horrocks is an actress internationally known as the zany and droll Bubble in the award winning British television sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (1992). She's also remembered as Miss Irvine, an evildoing witch-turned heroine in one her earliest films, The Witches (1990). She received a Golden ...

Show: Absolutely Fabulous Character: Bubble/ Katy Grin

11. Patricia Routledge

Actress | Keeping Up Appearances

Daughter of Catherine and Isaac Routledge. Her father was a haberdasher, and, during WWII, the family lived weeks at a time in the basement of her father's shop. She attended Birkenhead High School, where she sang in the choir and ran the Sunday School. She studied English at Liverpool University, ...

Show: Keeping Up Appearances Character: Hyacinth Bucket

12. Mollie Sugden

Actress | Are You Being Served?

Best remembered as 'Mrs. Slocombe' on the British comedy "Are You Being Served?" Mollie Sugden was born in Keighley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. She attended Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Her first television role came in 1962 with the series "Hugh and I," which ran for four...

Show: Are You Being Served Character: Mrs Slocombe

13. John Inman

Actor | Are You Being Served?

John Inman was born on June 28, 1935 in Preston, Lancashire, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Are You Being Served? (1972), Are You Being Served? (1977) and Odd Man Out (1977). He was married to Ron Lynch. He died on March 8, 2007 in Paddington, London, England, UK.

Show: Are You Being Served Character: Mr Humphries

14. Julia Sawalha

Actress | Lark Rise to Candleford

Julia Sawalha was born in London. She has received due honor for her acting talents. Starring as Lynda Day in Press Gang winning the BAFTA award for Best Drama series. She played the role of Saffy in [Absolutely Fabulous 1992-2016], for which she won the RTS award for Best Actress, Lydia Bennett in...

Show: Absolutely Fabulous Character: Saffy Monsoon

15. John Cleese

Actor | A Fish Called Wanda

John Cleese was born on October 27, 1939, in Weston-Super-Mare, England, to Muriel Evelyn (Cross) and Reginald Francis Cleese. He was born into a family of modest means, his father being an insurance salesman; but he was nonetheless sent off to private schools to obtain a good education. Here he ...

Show: Fawlty Towers Character: Basil Fawlty



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