British comedian, actor, and writer, born in Aden, SW Yemen. His family moved to Northern Ireland, then South Wales, and he studied at the University of Sheffield, where he presented his first shows. He worked in street theatre and comedy clubs before devising a theatre act as a stand-up comic, and becoming nationally known through live videos of his major shows at the Ambassadors (1993) and the Albery (1995) in London. He was voted best live stand-up comic in 1993, and in 2000 he won two Emmy awards for Eddie Izzard: Dressed to Kill. Other shows include One Word Improv (1997), Glorious (1997), and Sexie (2003). He also wrote the television sitcom, The Cows (1996), and made film appearances in The Secret Agent (1996), Circus (2000), and My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006), and starred in the television drama 40 (2003) for Channel 4.
| Eddie Izzard |
|---|
|
|
| Born |
|
February 7, 1962 Aden, Yemen |
| Occupation |
| Actor, comedian |
| Career milestones |
|
Definite Article (1996) Eddie Izzard's Glorious Tour (1997) Dress to Kill (1998) |
| Official website |
| eddieizzard.com |
Edward John Izzard, better known as Eddie Izzard (born February 7, 1962) is a British cross-dressing stand-up comedian and actor who describes himself as an "executive transvestite".
Biography
Early years
Izzard was born in Aden, Yemen, and is the youngest son of Harold John and Dorothy Ella Izzard. In 1963, shortly before Britain abandoned the capital of Aden, the Izzards moved to Northern Ireland.
Izzard found some degree of solace in comedy after the death of his mother. Having spent a great deal of the 1980s working as a street performer in Europe and the United States, Izzard moved his act into the standup comedy venues in Britain, first appearing at The Comedy Store in London in 1987.
Success as a comedian
His stand-up work brought him British Comedy Awards in 1993 (for Live at the Ambassadors) and 1996 (for Definite Article). Suddenly, America was aware of Izzard, and the show went on to earn Izzard two Emmy Awards in 2000 (for performance and writing).
In January 2006, the U.S. television network F/X announced the production of a new drama series (co-written by Izzard) called The Riches (formerly Low Life). Izzard and British actress Minnie Driver star as a married couple, Wayne and Dahlia Malone, who have been part of a caravan of con-artist Irish travellers swindling their way across the States with their children.
In 2005, Izzard provided the voiceover for the British government's series of television advertisements promoting recycling.
Izzard also performed with Scottish musician Midge Ure at Live8 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Theatrical appearances
In 1994, Izzard made his West End drama debut as the lead in the world premiere of David Mamet's "The Cryptogram" with Lindsay Duncan, in the production at London's Comedy Theatre.
Izzard portrayed comedian Lenny Bruce in the 1999 production of Julian Barry's 1971 play "Lenny." Izzard and Victoria Hamilton then repeated their lead roles when the show was brought to Broadway in 2003, with The Roundabout Theatre Company production. The revival received four Tony Award nominations including Best Revival of a Play, Best Leading Actor and Actress for its stars Izzard and Hamilton in their Broadway debut and for Best Direction for Laurence Boswell.
Comedic style
Izzard states that he does not write any of his material down. These mannerisms have now become something of a trademark of Izzard.
Izzard's style is heavily influenced by Monty Python, from the characters used to the stream of consciousness structure of the material. However, occasionally Izzard simply jumps from one subject to another using comedic non sequiturs, allowing the audience to laugh at the way he has connected two completely unrelated topics. (For example, connecting aeroplanes with wizards because, "wizards can fly".)
Izzard is a skilled mime artist and uses mimes frequently in his act.
Izzard also uses various characters in his act. Often these characters interact, with Izzard playing both parts. Izzard uses it to describe what the Greeks were doing inside the Trojan Horse (cleaning) when they were found. Another famous character is God, representing a hapless and dithering authority figure, but who is always voiced by Izzard's impression of James Mason.
Cross-dressing
Izzard describes himself as an "executive" or "action" transvestite and as 'a male tomboy', rather than a "weirdo" transvestite (Izzard uses J. According to Izzard, "Most transvestites fancy girls." Often describing his "breast envy", Izzard, after shooting the film The Avengers, occasionally wears a pair of false breasts, reputedly, modelled upon co-star Uma Thurman's own breasts.
Campaigning
Izzard has engaged in campaigning work.
In July 2003, Izzard was made an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England for 'pro-Europe campaigning', 'his contribution to promoting modern languages and tolerance of other cultures and lifestyles' and for having 'transcended national barriers' with his humour.
On July 20, 2006 (one day later than advertised) he received an honorary doctorate in Letters from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sheffield, where he spent one year on an Accounting and Financial Management course in the early 80s.
Critical reception
In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, Izzard was voted amongst the top 20 greatest comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders. the Monty Python Story, which Izzard hosted, John Cleese said Izzard was the "Lost Python".
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