Ben Elton
Born 1959 · Age 66
British actor, comedian, author, playwright, lyricist and director; major figure in 1980s alternative comedy; writer of The Young Ones, Blackadder, Mr. Bean episodes, musicals (We Will Rock You, The Beautiful Game, Love Never Dies) and numerous novels.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Fitzrovia, London
Born Benjamin Charles Elton at University College Hospital, Fitzrovia, London.
Family moved to Guildford, Surrey
Elton's family moved from Catford to Guildford, where he became involved in amateur dramatics.
Early amateur theatre — Peter Pan
Participated in a local amateur production of Peter Pan (Curtain Raisers in Onslow Village); described it as an epiphany that launched his theatrical interest.
Left home to study theatre
Left home at age 16 to study theatre at South Warwickshire College, Stratford-upon-Avon; took and passed A-levels in English, History and Theatre Studies.
Enrolled at University of Manchester (Drama)
Went to study drama at the University of Manchester where he met Rik Mayall and Ade Edmondson.
Graduated University of Manchester (2:1)
Graduated with upper second-class honours in drama from Manchester.
Joined the BBC as scriptwriter
Joined the BBC on graduation and became, at that time, the corporation's youngest-ever scriptwriter.
Hired as compère at The Comedy Store
Hired by The Comedy Store in London as compère, becoming part of the alternative comedy circuit.
First TV appearance (Oxford Road Show)
First television appearance as a stand-up performer on BBC1's Oxford Road Show.
Breakthrough: co‑wrote The Young Ones
Co-wrote (and occasionally appeared in) the BBC sitcom The Young Ones — his first TV success and major breakthrough in alternative comedy.
Wrote/appeared in Alfresco (1983–84)
Wrote and appeared in Granada Television's sketch show Alfresco, alongside Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Robbie Coltrane.
Created Happy Families (first solo BBC script)
Produced his first solo script for the BBC, the comedy-drama series Happy Families starring Jennifer Saunders and Adrian Edmondson; also appeared in episode five.
Began writing partnership with Richard Curtis
Began partnership with Richard Curtis that led to writing several Blackadder series and other material.
Blackadder II broadcast (co-writer)
Co-wrote Blackadder II (starring Rowan Atkinson); the Blackadder collaboration became an international hit over subsequent series.
Supported Red Wedge and political activism
Supported Red Wedge prior to the 1987 general election, participating in a comedy tour organized by the campaign.
Blackadder the Third broadcast (co-writer)
Continued Blackadder collaboration with Richard Curtis on Blackadder the Third.
Published first novel 'Stark'
Published his debut novel Stark (eco-thriller), launching his career as a novelist.
Royal Television Society Writers' Award
Won the Royal Television Society Writers' Award (the Man From Auntie is cited as associated work).
Blackadder Goes Forth broadcast; major acclaim
Co-wrote Blackadder Goes Forth (World War I setting); series praised especially for final episode; Blackadder won multiple awards.
Co‑hosted Nelson Mandela Celebration at Wembley (claimed)
Reported to have co-hosted a Nelson Mandela celebration at Wembley Stadium (widely reported in career summaries).
Starred in The Man from Auntie (1990)
Starred in his own stand-up comedy and sketch series Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie; later second series in 1994.
Acted in Stark TV adaptation and Much Ado About Nothing
Appeared as 'CD' in the TV adaptation of his novel Stark (Australia/BBC) and played Verges in Kenneth Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing.
Married Sophie Gare
Married Australian saxophonist Sophie Gare; couple later have three children and settle part-time in Australia.
Second series of The Man from Auntie
A second series of The Man from Auntie was broadcast in 1994.
Launched The Thin Blue Line (writer/producer)
Wrote and produced the studio-based sitcom The Thin Blue Line starring Rowan Atkinson; ran 1995–1996.
The Thin Blue Line wins British Comedy Award
The Thin Blue Line won a British Comedy Award and Jury Awards at Reims.
Published 'Popcorn' (novel)
Published the novel Popcorn (later award-winning; also adapted for stage and screen in various versions).
Stage adaptation of Popcorn and awards
Adapted Popcorn for stage (UK tour and Australia), winning the TMA Barclays Theatre Award and Olivier Award for comedy (Popcorn).
Hosted Brit Awards (1997 & 1998) and Royal Variety Performance (2000) (reported)
Reported host of the Brit Awards in 1997 and 1998 and hosted the Royal Variety Performance in 2000; notable high-profile live hosting roles.
Popcorn won Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger
Popcorn won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Fiction, plus other international prizes for translations.
Published 'Blast from the Past' and 'The Ben Elton Show' TV series
Published novel Blast from the Past; starred in The Ben Elton Show (1998), his last major UK network stand-up series at the time.
Large private donor to Labour Party
Reported as one of the biggest private financial donors to the Labour Party in 1998.
Published 'Inconceivable' (novel)
Published Inconceivable, semi-autobiographical account of IVF struggles; later adapted into Maybe Baby film.
Wrote and directed film 'Maybe Baby'
Wrote and directed film adaptation of his novel Inconceivable under the title Maybe Baby starring Hugh Laurie and Joely Richardson; moderate UK success and nominated at Emden Film Festival.
Collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber on The Beautiful Game
Wrote book and lyrics for The Beautiful Game (music by Andrew Lloyd Webber); musical won the London Critics Circle Award for Best New Musical.
Published 'Dead Famous'
Published the novel Dead Famous.
We Will Rock You musical opened (West End)
Wrote the jukebox musical We Will Rock You (music by Queen); despite early critical reaction, it was a commercial West End success and later opened internationally.
We Will Rock You wins Theatregoers' Choice Award
We Will Rock You won the 2003 Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best New Musical.
Tonight's the Night opened in West End
Wrote the jukebox musical Tonight's the Night (based on Rod Stewart's songs) which opened in London's West End in November 2003.
Published 'Past Mortem'
Published the novel Past Mortem (won French Prix Polar International for the translated edition).
Honorary doctorate from University of Manchester
Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester in recognition of his work.
Naturalised Australian citizen
Became an Australian citizen in 2004 (holds dual British/Australian citizenship).
Wrote sitcom 'Blessed' and returned to touring
Wrote the six-part sitcom Blessed broadcast on BBC1 (no further series) and toured the UK for the first time since 1997 with the Get a Grip tour.
Published 'Chart Throb'
Published the novel Chart Throb (continued his series of bestselling novels).
Published 'Blind Faith'
Published the dystopian novel Blind Faith.
Awarded Honorary Rose at Rose d'Or and LIPA companion
Given an Honorary Rose for lifetime achievement at the Rose d'Or festival and made a Companion of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
Launched 'Get a Grip' on ITV1
Get a Grip began on ITV1 featuring sketches and studio discussions contrasting Elton's viewpoint with younger guests (Elton wrote the scripts).
Publicly settled in North Fremantle, Australia (reported)
Reported to have settled in North Fremantle while maintaining a home in East Sussex; had strong ties to Australia.
Musical 'Love Never Dies' opened in West End
Co-wrote Love Never Dies with Andrew Lloyd Webber — the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera — which opened in London's West End.
Headlined Dave's One Night Stand
Headlined the first episode of Dave's One Night Stand on 10 October 2010.
Live from Planet Earth debuted in Australia
Debuted Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth on Nine Network (Australia) on 8 February 2011; the show was axed after three episodes.
Published 'Two Brothers'
Published the novel Two Brothers.
Directed We Will Rock You 10th Anniversary Arena Tour
Directed the 10th anniversary arena tour of We Will Rock You.
Filmed sitcom 'The Wright Way'
Filming for the six-part sitcom The Wright Way was completed in late February 2013; it debuted in April 2013 to negative reviews.
Published 'Time and Time Again'
Published the novel Time and Time Again.
Wrote song for The Wiggles
Wrote a song for The Wiggles for the Wiggle Town DVD and CD: 'The Wonder of Wiggle Town'.
Commissioned 'Upstart Crow' for BBC1
Wrote Upstart Crow, a sitcom parodying William Shakespeare's life; first broadcast in 2016.
Filming began on 'Three Summers' (Western Australia)
Started filming Three Summers (romantic comedy written and directed by Elton) in Western Australia in September 2016.
Released film 'Three Summers'
Three Summers was released in 2017; reported to have won the Prix du Jury at the Cannes Écrans Cinéma Festival (festival citation).
Wrote 'All Is True' screenplay
Wrote All Is True (speculative story of Shakespeare's later years), released in 2018 directed by Kenneth Branagh starring Branagh, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen.
Published 'Identity Crisis'
Published the novel Identity Crisis.
Embarked on major UK stand-up tour (first since 2005)
Started a three-month UK stand-up tour in September 2019; his first major tour since 2005.
Upstart Crow Christmas Special and West End play interrupted by COVID
A Christmas Special aired 21 December 2020; his Upstart Crow West End play opened 7 February 2020 but was cut short mid-March 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Resumed New Zealand leg of stand-up tour
Resumed the previously interrupted New Zealand leg more than a year after the COVID interruption once trans‑Tasman quarantine-free travel launched.
Friday Night Live revival wins awards
The 2022 revival of Channel 4's Friday Night Live won a Royal Television Society Award and a BAFTA for Best Comedy Entertainment Programme.
Directed 20th anniversary We Will Rock You tour; hosted Friday Night Live revival
Directed the 20th anniversary tour of We Will Rock You (Feb 2022); returned to live British TV as host of Channel 4's Friday Night Live revival on 21 October 2022.
Presented Channel 4 documentary 'Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster'
Presented a Channel 4 documentary in June 2023 about rail privatisation in Britain.
Announced stage debut in We Will Rock You (Rebel Leader) for 2023 season
Announced he would make his theatre debut as the Rebel Leader (Pop) in a production of We Will Rock You at the London Coliseum from 2 June to 27 August 2023.
Made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Bestowed Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the entertainment industry as a comedian, actor, writer and director.
World premiere of Twiggy The Musical (Close-Up) at Menier Chocolate Factory
Wrote and directed Twiggy The Musical (originally titled Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical), world premiere in September 2023; UK tour planned from Sept 2025.
Launched 'Authentic Stupidity' stand-up tour (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ)
Embarked on a stand-up tour titled 'Authentic Stupidity' touring UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in 2024 and 2025, addressing AI and generational themes.
Tour commenced in Perth (reported)
Tour 'Authentic Stupidity' commenced in Perth on 13 March 2025 (tour dates in major Australian cities reported).
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