Ben Elton
Ben Elton is a multi award winning novelist, playwright, television writer, screen writer and lyricist. He is also a theatre, screen and TV Director, a Stand Up Comedian and a very occasional actor.
He was born in Catford, South East London on May 3rd 1959, the youngest of four Children. He read Drama at Manchester University. He is married and has three children.
Career Highlights
NOVELS.
Stark (1989) Gridlock (1991) This Other Eden (1993) Popcorn (1996) Blast From The Past (1998) Inconceivable (1999) Dead Famous (2001) High Society (2002) Past Mortem (2004) The First Casualty (2005) Chart Throb (2006) Blind Faith (2007) Meltdown (2009) Two Brothers (2012) Time and Time again (2014) Identity Crisis (2019)
Six of the above were UK No 1 Bestsellers. Ben Elton’s novels have also been hugely successful in Australia and New Zealand and are published around the world.
TELEVISON
The Young Ones (1982/4) Co Writer with Rik Mayall and Lisa Meyer.
Alfresco (1982/4) Performer and Co Writer with Stephen Fry. Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson.
Happy Families (1985) Writer.
Blackadder 2 (1983) Co Writer with Richard Curtis.
Filthy Rich & Catflap (1986) Writer.
Saturday Live (1986/7) Comedian/Host.
Blackadder The Third (1987) Co writer with Richard Curtis.
Friday Night Live (1988) Comedian/Host.
Blackadder Goes Forth (1989) Co writer with Richard Curtis.
Ben Elton The Man From Auntie (1990 and 1994) Writer/Performer.
The Thin Blue Line (1995/6) Writer.
The Ben Elton Show (1998) Writer Performer.
Blessed (2005) Writer.
The Wright Way (2013) Writer.
Upstart Crow- 3 series (2016-2018) Writer.
Ben also wrote Mr Bean’s ‘exam’ episode.
Friday Night Live (2022) Comedian/Host.
STAND UP COMEDIAN
Ben has been one of the UK’s most successful and influential live acts for over 35 years. His most recent UK tour began in September 2019 to critical acclaim, which he has since taken to Australia and New Zealand followed by a run in London’s West End in December 2021. In 1990 he co hosted the Nelson Mandela Celebration at Wembley Stadium. He hosted the Brits in 1997 and 1998 and The Royal Variety Performance in 2000. He writes all his own material.
STAGE WRITING AND PLAYS
The New Review (1985) With Richard Curtis. Gasping (1990) Silly Cow (1991) Popcorn (1997) Blast From the Past (1998) The Upstart Crow (2020)
MUSICALS
The Beautiful Game (2000) Book and Lyrics, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. We Will Rock You (2002) Book, Music by Queen. Tonight’s The Night (2004) Book. Music by Rod Stewart and others. Love Never Dies (2010) co wrote book. Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
FEATURE FILM
Maybe Baby (2000) Writer/Director.
Three Summers (2017) Writer/Director.
All is True (2018) Writer
Other directing work includes Silly Cow, The Thin Blue Line (with John Birkin) Blessed, We Will Rock You, Tonight’s The Night and The Beautiful Game, reworked as The Boys In the Photograph.
Last updated: 19th July 2023