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Harry Enfield

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Harry Enfield
Enfield in 2009
Birth nameHenry Richard Enfield
Born(1961-05-30)30 May 1961(age 63)
Horsham,England
Medium
EducationUniversity of York(BA)
Years active1984–present
Genres
Spouse
Lucy Lyster
​
​
(m.1997;sep.2020)​
Children3
Parent(s)Edward Enfield

Henry Richard Enfield(born 30 May 1961)[1]is an English comedian, actor, writer and director. He is known in particular for his television work, includingHarry Enfield's Television ProgrammeandHarry & Paul,and for the creation and portrayal of comedy characters such asKevin the Teenager,Loadsamoney,Smashie and Nicey,The Scousers,Tim Nice-But-Dim and Mr "You Don't Want to Do It Like That".

Early life[edit]

Born inHorsham,Sussex,he is the eldest of four children (and only son) of English television, radio and newspaper journalist and presenterEdward Enfieldand his wife, Deirdre Jenkins. The Enfield family are descendants of the nineteenth-century philanthropistEdward Enfield.[2]

He was educated at the independent Arundale School inPulborough,Dorset House School,Worth School,Collyer's Sixth Form College(all in West Sussex) and theUniversity of York,where he was a member ofDerwent Collegeand studied politics. Hesquattedin Hackney and worked for a while as amilkman.[3][4]

Career[edit]

Enfield first came to wide public attention when appearing onChannel 4'sSaturday Liveas several different characters created withPaul Whitehouse.These quickly entered the national consciousness. Among these characters were Stavros, a Greek kebab shop owner with fractured English; andLoadsamoney,an obnoxious plasterer who constantly boasted about how much money he earned. The Loadsamoney character was created in reaction to the policies of theThatcher governmentof the day, and took on a life of its own, sampling the songs "Money, Money" from the musicalCabaretand "Money, Money, Money"byABBAto spawn a hit single in 1988 and a sell-out live tour.[5]In May 1988,Labour PartyleaderNeil Kinnockused the termloadsamoneyto criticise the policies of theConservativegovernment and journalists began to refer to the "loadsamoney mentality" and the "loadsamoney economy".[6]

As a foil to Loadsamoney, Enfield and Whitehouse created theGeordie"Bugger-All-Money" and in 1988 Enfield appeared as both characters during theNelson Mandela 70th Birthday TributeConcert at Wembley Stadium. In time, Whitehouse and Enfield became disturbed that Loadsamoney was being seen in a positive light, rather than as a satirical figure, and they had him run over during aComic Relief Red Nose Dayshow while leaving the studio after presenting hostLenny Henrywith "the biggest cheque of the night" —a physically huge cheque for ten pence.[7]Enfield created "Tory Boy",a character which portrayed a young maleConservativeMember of Parliament(MP).

In 1989, Enfield realised a personal project,Norbert Smith - a Life,a spoof on British theatrical knights "slumming" in the film industry. He also provided voices for the British satirical puppet showSpitting Image,and starred asDirk Gentlyin theBBC Radioadaptations ofDirk Gently's Holistic Detective AgencyandThe Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.

TV series[edit]

Enfield in 1998

In 1990, Enfield developed hisBBCsketch showHarry Enfield's Television Programme,later retitledHarry Enfield & Chums,with Whitehouse andKathy Burke.Eschewing thealternative comedystyle prevalent at the time, both versions of the show were indebted to comedians such asDick EmeryandMorecambe and Wise.Enfield and his co-performers created another group of nationally recognised characters for these shows, such asStan and Pam Herbert,who use the catchphrase "We are considerably richer than you" (in an exaggerated West-Midlands accent),Tim Nice-But-Dim,The Scousers,Smashie and Nicey,Wayne and Waynetta Slob,Annoying Kid Brother,who grew intoKevin the Teenager,and two old-fashioned presenters,Mr Cholmondley-Warner and Grayson.

In 1991, Enfield played Dermot in the sitcomMen Behaving Badlyalong withMartin Clunes,Caroline QuentinandLeslie Ash,originally onThames Television.Enfield left after thefirst series,and was replaced in thesecond seriesbyNeil Morrisseyas Tony. Enfield is a professed fan ofoperaand fronted aChannel 4documentary series on the subject. In 1991 Harry also starred in the seriesGone to the Dogsas Little Jim.

After a short break from television, Enfield signed a new contract withBSkyB,but produced only one series,Harry Enfield's Brand Spanking New Show.In 2002 Enfield returned to the BBC withCeleb,a new series based on the comic strip of the same title inPrivate Eye,as the ageing rockstar Gary Bloke.

In 2002, Enfield was the first guest on the revamped version of BBC'sTop Gearwhere he did a 2 minutes 1 second lap[clarification needed].He also appeared on the show on 23 November 2008.[8]Enfield has also narrated various TV documentaries such as the Discovery Wings channel "Classic British Aircraft".[9]

In 2007, he played Jim Stonem in the Channel 4 seriesSkins.He reprised this role in the second series in 2008, and the third series in 2009. Enfield directed two episodes of Skins in season two entitled "Chris" and "Tony" in 2008. He appears often on mainstream television shows. His comedy seriesHarry & Paul(originally titledRuddy Hell! It's Harry & Paul) started in 2007.[citation needed]

In September 2013 Enfield appeared in theBBC Threecomedy seriesBad Educationas Martin, the father ofJack Whitehall's character Alfie. In October 2014, Enfield and Paul Whitehouse returned to the characters of Frank and George in a sketch for Channel 4's testicular cancer awareness comedy show "The Feeling Nuts Comedy Night".[10]

In August 2015, Enfield, alongside Whitehouse, in celebration of their 25-year partnership, presentedAn Evening With Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse[11]

In 2016, he appeared asJohn Shakespeare,father ofWilliam Shakespeare,in the sitcomUpstart Crow.[12]

Since 2016, Enfield has appeared asPrince Charles(laterKing Charles III) in theChannel 4sitcomThe Windsors.[13]

Films[edit]

In 2000, Enfield appeared in his first leading film role playing Kevin alongsideKathy Burke,who played the character's (male) friend Perry—roles originally created for Enfield's television series—inKevin & Perry Go Large.The film charted the pair's attempt to become professional DJs by travelling to the nightclubs ofIbizaand pestering their idol, the DJ Eyeball Paul, played byRhys Ifans,while gaining love and losing their virginity. Enfield also appeared as KingGeorge VIinChurchill: The Hollywood Years(2004), a satire on Hollywood's tendency to change elements of history. In 2012, he starred with Simon Callow in the filmActs of Gordfrey,which opened in UK cinemas on 27 January.

He reprised his role as Martin inThe Bad Education Movie,released on 21 August 2015. He appeared as Bill in the 2015 filmScottish Mussel.

In 2015 Enfield andJessica Hynesappeared as Mr and Mrs Jackson in a BBC film of theArthur Ransomechildren's novelSwallows and Amazons.

In 2022, Enfield appeared asTony Blairin the made-for-television biographical musical comedy filmPrince Andrew: The Musical.[14]

Video games[edit]

In 2012, a likeness of his character Loadsamoney, named "Harold Lott", was released as aDLCskin for the gameKilling Floor.[15]

Commercials[edit]

Enfield appeared in some television commercials before becoming famous, including one made in 1987 forTetley.Enfield's commercials include a series made in 1994 forDime Bar.One commercial in this series had Enfield as a yokel refusing a Dime bar—smooth on the outside, crunchy on the inside—because he preferredarmadillos—smooth on the inside, crunchy on the outside. Later Enfield, with Paul Whitehouse, starred in a series of commercials forHula Hoopsas The Self-Righteous Brothers, characters from Enfield's television show. In 2004 Enfield starred in a series of commercials forBurger Kingin Paraguay as Dr Angus, a character intended to promote the company's newest hamburger. Two more characters from Enfield's TV series, Mr Cholmondley-Warner and Grayson, also appeared in commercials, forMercury Communications.[16]Also in 2004 Enfield provided the voice of "The Roaming Gnome" character used inTravelocity's U.S. advertising campaign. Enfield was also in commercials for Worthington Bitter.

Music[edit]

Enfield made a cameo appearance as 'the tea lady' duringBlur's performance at the Olympics Closing Ceremony Celebration Concert in London'sHyde Parkin2012.[17]

He also appeared alongsideDamon Albarn's other projectThe Good, the Bad & the Queen,as compere, during a live performance at theTower of London,on 9 July 2007.[citation needed]

Theatre[edit]

In 2021 Enfield starred asPrince CharlesinThe Windsors: Endgameat thePrince of Wales Theatrein London. The show ran for a limited time and closed on 9 October 2021.[18]

Discography[edit]

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[19]
"Loadsamoney (Doin' Up the House)" 1988 4 Non-album single

Personal life[edit]

In 1997, Enfield married Lucy Lyster; they have three children.[20]It was announced in August 2020 that the couple had separated.[21]

References[edit]

  1. ^Rampton, James (2 November 1996)."Profile".The Independent.London.Archivedfrom the original on 12 June 2018.Retrieved4 May2010.
  2. ^"Edward Enfield, columnist, travel writer, television presenter and father of comedian Harry – obituary".Telegraph.co.uk.25 February 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 29 January 2021.Retrieved8 June2021.
  3. ^"Harry Enfield".chortle.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 11 July 2018.Retrieved11 May2007.
  4. ^Charlie Higson (October 2015)."Charlie Higson: my days squatting with Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse".Theguardian.com.Archivedfrom the original on 6 September 2018.Retrieved5 September2018.
  5. ^Biressi, Anita; Nunn, Heather (2013).Class and Contemporary British Culture.London: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 32–37.ISBN9780230240568.
  6. ^The Cambridge Encyclopedia of The English Language.Ed.David Crystal.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,1995. p. 133.ISBN0521401798
  7. ^"Harry Enfield's Biography: Chortle".The UK Comedy Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 11 July 2018.Retrieved11 May2007.
  8. ^"Harry Enfield is a Star in a Reasonably Priced Car Again (Series 12, Episode 4)".Top Gear.3 February 2009.Retrieved22 December2023.
  9. ^"Classic British Aircraft".Discovery UK.Retrieved22 December2023.
  10. ^"The Feeling Nuts Comedy Night videos".British Comedy Guide.Archivedfrom the original on 25 October 2021.Retrieved14 October2021.
  11. ^"BBC Two – An Evening with Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse".BBC.Archivedfrom the original on 24 November 2017.Retrieved1 September2015.
  12. ^"David Mitchell to play Shakespeare in new BBC2 sitcom".Radio Times.Archivedfrom the original on 23 April 2019.Retrieved25 February2019.
  13. ^Duggins, Alexi (6 May 2016)."The Windsors: behind the scenes of a right royal send-up".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 27 September 2019.Retrieved25 February2019.
  14. ^"'Prince Andrew: The Musical' TV Special Sets Cast Including Harry Enfield, Munya Chawawa ".variety.com.24 November 2022.Retrieved2 January2023.
  15. ^"Killing Floor - Harold Lott Character Pack".Steam.5 July 2012.Retrieved1 May2022.
  16. ^Godsmark, Chris (18 September 1996)."C&W courts controversy in Hong Kong".The Independent.London.Archivedfrom the original on 26 February 2014.Retrieved12 February2014.
  17. ^Cochrane, Greg (13 August 2012)."Blur close Hyde Park during Olympic closing ceremony".BBC News.Retrieved1 May2022.They were joined on stage by actor Phil Daniels and comedian Harry Enfield, who was dressed as a tea lady, and played hits like Song 2 and Parklife.
  18. ^"The Windsors: Endgame | Prince of Wales Theatre".Retrieved19 January2023.
  19. ^"Harry Enfield: full Official Charts History".Official Charts Company.Retrieved15 November2015.
  20. ^"Harry Enfield: 'I can't get out of bed if I've got to do the same thing over and over again'".The Guardian.22 January 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 7 January 2018.Retrieved7 January2018.
  21. ^Bray, Abbie (15 August 2020)."Harry Enfield 'splits from wife of 23 years and leaves family home'".Metro.co.uk.Archivedfrom the original on 17 April 2021.Retrieved8 June2021.

External links[edit]

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