Eddie Izzard
Born 1962 · Age 63
British stand-up comedian, actor, writer and activist known for surreal, stream-of-consciousness comedy, multilingual performances, long-distance charity marathons and political activism. Uses the name Suzy alongside Eddie since 2023.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Aden, Aden Colony (now Yemen)
Born Edward John Izzard to Dorothy Ella Izzard (nurse) and Harold John Michael Izzard (BP accountant) in Aden.
Family moved to Northern Ireland (Bangor)
Family relocated from Aden to Bangor, Northern Ireland, where they lived until Izzard was five.
Family moved to Skewen, South Wales
Family relocated to Wales (Skewen) after living in Northern Ireland.
Sent to boarding school (St John's School, Newton)
Attended St John's School in Newton after mother's death; later attended St Bede's Prep School and Eastbourne College.
Mother died of cancer
Mother Dorothy Ella Izzard died when Eddie was six; a formative childhood event.
Entered Eastbourne College (secondary education)
Attended Eastbourne College during teenage years; involved in cadets, orienteering and school drama.
Began studies at University of Sheffield (drama/accounting)
Studied drama at the University of Sheffield (also spent a year on Accounting & Financial Management course).
First Edinburgh involvement: Fringe Flung Lunch
Early theatrical/comedy activity included a 1981 show at Edinburgh Fringe (first show credited in early career timeline).
Began street performing and busking
Performed on streets (Covent Garden and across Europe/US) with Rob Ballard and then solo; developed solo improvisatory style.
First public cross-dressing experience
First cross-dressed in public at age 23 with a lesbian friend (memorialized in memoir Believe Me).
First stage appearance at The Comedy Store, London
Performed at the Comedy Store — an important step into stand-up club circuit.
Met Sarah Townsend and ran a venue at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Met future partner Sarah Townsend while running a venue at Edinburgh Fringe; Townsend later made a documentary about Izzard.
Breakthrough performance at Hysteria 3 (AIDS benefit)
Televised 'raised by wolves' routine on Hysteria 3 raised national profile and led to theatre bookings.
Started publicly identifying as a transvestite on the Edinburgh Fringe
Began to include cross-dressing/trans identity in public persona and performances.
Established the Raging Bull club in Soho
Ran her own comedy club, Raging Bull, in Soho where she refined improvisation skills.
Won British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand-up
Recognition for Live at the Ambassadors and rising profile in UK comedy.
Live at the Ambassadors (stand-up show/video released)
Major West End/solo theatre run captured and released; increased national recognition.
Released 'Unrepeatable' stand-up video
Recorded and released the Unrepeatable show (listed 14 March 1994).
West End drama debut in David Mamet's The Cryptogram
Took the lead role at London's Comedy Theatre; critical praise accelerated acting career.
Portrayed Edward II on stage (lead role)
Played the title character in Christopher Marlowe's Edward II (stage role).
Released 'Definite Article' tour and won British Comedy Award (again)
Definite Article tour contributed to growing international profile; received British Comedy accolades.
Film debut in The Secret Agent (supporting role)
First film credit (1996), marking the expansion into screen acting.
Glorious tour (stand-up special)
Major touring stand-up show (1997), building international audience.
Dress to Kill tour / special premiered (9 Nov 1998)
Stand-up special Dress to Kill recorded and later televised (key work in career).
Won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Dress to Kill
Emmys: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program and Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program.
Released 'Circle' (2002 listing often associated with 2000–2002 tour)
Continued touring with shows compiled in video releases (Circle listed 18 November 2002).
Replaced Clive Owen in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (London)
Took lead role at the Comedy Theatre; later reprised role on Broadway.
Released 'Sexie' stand-up video (26 Nov 2003)
Continued international touring with recorded specials.
Broadway run of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg; Tony nomination
Made Broadway debut (Roundabout Theatre Company) and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actor.
Website won Yahoo People's Choice Award
Eddie's official website received a Yahoo People's Choice Award in 2004.
Appeared in Ocean's Twelve and voice role in Five Children and It
Major film appearance (Ocean's Twelve) and voice acting (Five Children and It).
Website won a Webby Award
Eddie's website won a Webby Award in 2005.
Honorary Doctorate from University of Sheffield (honorary recognition)
Received an honorary doctorate from her alma mater (University of Sheffield) in recognition of work and connection to the university.
Appeared in The Wild (voice) and My Super Ex-Girlfriend
Continued film and voice work in animated and mainstream films.
Starred in FX television series The Riches (2007–2008)
Lead role as Wayne Malloy / Doug Rich in two seasons of The Riches, increasing US TV profile.
Ranked No. 3 on Channel 4's 100 Greatest British Comedians
Channel 4 ranking recognized Izzard's prominence among British comics (2007 list: #3).
Appeared in Valkyrie (2008) as General Erich Fellgiebel
Featured in high-profile historical thriller film with major actors, strengthening film credentials.
Began Sport Relief challenge: 43 marathons in 51 days
Started an unprecedented multi-marathon charity run across the UK with only five weeks' preparation; completed 43 marathons in 51 days, ending 15 September 2009.
Completed 43 marathons in 51 days (Sport Relief)
Finished the cross-UK marathon challenge totaling more than 1,100 miles; blogged progress and raised funds for Sport Relief.
Received special award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year
Recognized for her marathon achievements and charity work at BBC Sports Personality awards.
Elected Honorary President of University of Sheffield Students' Union
Recognized by Sheffield Students' Union for contributions and connection to university community.
Replaced James Spader in Mamet's Race on Broadway (June 2010)
Took on the role of Jack Lawson in Race on Broadway, demonstrating continued stage presence.
Released 'Live at Madison Square Garden' special
High-profile US special recorded at Madison Square Garden; listed 15 January 2011.
Honorary Doctorate from University of Sunderland
Received an honorary degree in recognition of work and public profile.
Appointed associate director at Crystal Palace Football Club
Became an associate director at Crystal Palace FC, formalizing long-standing support for the club.
Force Majeure tour (stand-up special release)
Major international tour with video release on 18 November 2013.
Received Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism (Harvard)
Awarded at Harvard by the Humanist Community and American Humanist Association (6th annual award).
Started performing stand-up in multiple new languages (Arabic, German, Russian, Spanish)
Expanded multilingual performances; already fluent in French and used this to tour Europe extensively.
Appeared in Absolutely Anything and published narrated memoir excerpts
Film role (Absolutely Anything) and personal writings/announcements continued across media.
Announced 27 marathons in 27 days challenge through South Africa
Planned Sport Relief challenge running 27 marathons in 27 days (symbolic of Mandela's 27 years in prison); attempted previously in 2012 but withdrew for health.
Completed 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa; raised £1.35M
Finished challenge at Mandela statue in Pretoria; had to run two marathons on final day due to hospital stay; raised over £1.35 million for Sport Relief.
BBC documentary 'Marathon Man' broadcast
BBC screened documentary detailing the 27 marathons challenge (broadcast 28 March 2016).
Voice role in The Lego Batman Movie and role in Victoria & Abdul
Provided voice work (Voldemort) in The Lego Batman Movie and appeared in Victoria & Abdul as Bertie, Prince of Wales.
Published memoir 'Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death and Jazz Chickens'
Autobiographical memoir released (Michael Joseph, 2017).
Honorary Doctorate from York St John University
Received an honorary doctorate in recognition of contributions to culture and public life.
Joined Labour Party National Executive Committee (as next runner-up) after resignation
Twice ran unsuccessfully; after Christine Shawcroft's resignation in March 2018 Izzard took her place as the most successful initially non-elected person.
Voice work: 'Green Eggs and Ham' (Netflix) and performing in additional languages
Voiced Hervnick Z. Snerz in Netflix series and continued multilingual stand-up and voice roles.
Wrote, executive produced and acted in Six Minutes to Midnight (2020)
Co-writer/executive producer credit on Six Minutes to Midnight (also starred), showing expansion into writing/producing film projects.
Announced plan to run 31 marathons and perform 31 stand-up gigs in Jan 2021
Charity challenge (31 marathons + 31 gigs in 31 days) announced to raise funds for multiple charities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Completed 31-day charity challenge (32 marathons in 31 days reported) raising >£275,000
Ran virtual marathons (treadmill) and performed gigs, raising in excess of £275,000 for multiple charities (Sky reported 32 marathons in 31 days).
Wunderbar tour/release (18 Feb 2022)
Released Wunderbar stand-up special/tour in 2022, continuing global touring career.
Announced intention to seek Labour prospective parliamentary candidacy for Sheffield Central
Declared desire to be Labour PPC for Sheffield Central (MP Paul Blomfield standing down at 2024 election); launched campaign 11 Oct 2022.
Lost Labour members' ballot for Sheffield Central (came second)
Local councillor selected as Labour candidate; Izzard came second in members' vote.
Announced Labour PPC campaign for Brighton Pavilion (Aug 2023)
Sought Labour candidacy following Caroline Lucas' decision not to stand; failed to be selected (announcement 17 Dec 2023).
Announced new name 'Suzy' in addition to Eddie
Publicly stated she would begin using the name Suzy (becomes Suzy Eddie Izzard), asking people to choose which name to use.
Not selected as Labour candidate for Brighton Pavilion
Local candidate Tom Gray was selected instead; Izzard failed to secure nomination.
One-person Hamlet runs in New York (Greenwich House Theatre)
Performed a solo version of Shakespeare's Hamlet adapted by brother Mark and directed by Selina Cadell; run extended three times (25 Jan–3 Mar 2024).
Hamlet transferred to Riverside Studios, London (previews from 23 May 2024)
Show transferred to London following successful New York run.
Honorary Doctorate from University of Sussex
Received honorary doctorate (listed among honorary degrees in biographical sources).
Key Achievement Ages
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