Jump to content

Jack Dee

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jack Dee
Dee in 2014
Birth nameJames Andrew Innes Dee
Born(1961-09-24)24 September 1961(age 62)
Kent,England
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • television
  • radio
Years active1986–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
Susan Jane Hetherington
​
​
(m.1989)​
Children4
Notable works and rolesThe Jack Dee Show(1992–1994)
Just for Laughs(1992)
'Art'(1998)
Jack Dee: Live at the Apollo(2004–2006)
Lead Balloon(2006–2011)
Don't Sit in the Front Row(2012–2013)
Josh(2014–2017)
Bad Move(2017–2018)
Websitehttps://jackdeecomedy
Jack Dee's voice
from the BBC programmeLoose Ends,24 October 2009.[1]

James Andrew Innes Dee(born 24 September 1961) is an Englishstand-up comedian,actor, presenter and writer known for his sarcasm, irony and deadpan humour.[2]He wrote and starred in the sitcomLead Balloonand hosts the panel showI'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.

His UK television appearances include being a team captain onShooting Starsand hostingJack Dee: Live at the Apollo,which was nominated for a BAFTA in 2006. He also presentedThe Jack Dee Show,Jack Dee's Saturday NightandJack Dee's Happy Hour.He wonCelebrity Big Brother 1in 2001.

Early life and education

[edit]

Jack Dee is the youngest of three children born to Rosemary (néeStamper) and Geoffrey Dee, after Joanna Innes Dee and David Simon Innes Dee. He was born in theMunicipal Borough of Bromley,Kent[3](now within theLondon Borough of Bromley) and grew up inPetts Wood[4]before moving with his family toWinchesterwhen he was young. His father was a printer and his mother was the daughter of two repertory actors, Henry Lionel Pope Stamper (1906–1985) and Edna May Howard Innes (1904–1969).[5]

Dee was educated at bothprivateand state schools. His first school,The Pilgrims' School,a preparatory school in Winchester, was followed by the stateMontgomery of Alamein Schoolfor his secondary education, and for a period he attendedFrensham Heights School.He took hisA-levelsatPeter Symonds' College,and left with a D and an F grade. Following this, he planned to attend drama college, but his plans were scuppered when his mother persuaded him to get a vocation, and so he entered the catering industry and became awaiter.[6]

Career

[edit]

Dee's first public act was an open-mic gig in 1986 atThe Comedy Store,which he went to one evening after work.[7]

Since the 1990s, he has performed sell-out acts at many high-profile venues (including theLondon Palladiumand theHammersmith Apollo). After he won theBritish Comedy Awardfor Best Stage Newcomer in 1991, Dee was offered his own show;The Jack Dee Showfirst went out onChannel 4in February 1992.[8]His combination of stand-up routines on television continued withJack Dee's Saturday Nighton ITV,Jack Dee's Happy Hourin 1997 and laterJack Dee Live at the Apolloin 2004 onBBC One.[9]

In 1996, he starred alongsideJeremy HardyinJack and Jeremy's Real Lives,a collection of mockumentaries similar to their previous collaboration,Jack and Jeremy's Police 4.[10]Each episode focuses on the pair playing bizarre characters from a particular profession. Shot on film and featuring no laugh track, the show failed to catch on. After three episodes, it was moved to air after midnight. Aside from his stand-up career, Dee has made appearances acting in television series. He played the part of Doug Digby intheGrimleyspilot(1997) before the role was recast forthe series,and made guest appearances on such programmes asSilent Witness,Dalziel and PascoeandJonathan Creek.[11]

In 2001, he wonCelebrity Big Brother(then linked to fundraising forComic Relief). He has subsequently said that he dislikes the treatment of the housemates by the show and its producers, and has refused all permission for any of the clips to be shown again.[12]

In 2004, he played the role of Steven SharplesMP,the self-styled 'Deputy Home Secretary', alongsideWarren ClarkeandDervla KirwaninThe Deputy.Dee's performance was praised, though the film itself received a lukewarm response.[13]Later that year he starred in another one-off drama,Tunnel of Love.[14]He was the celebrity advocate inBritain's Best SitcomforFawlty Towersand presented an hour-long documentary[15]about the series.

In 2005, he co-hostedComic Aid,a one-off gathering of comedians that aimed to raise money for theAsian TsunamiAppeal.[16]In May of the same year he appeared on the "Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car"segment of theBBC TwoseriesTop Gear,achieving a lap time of 1:53.5 (52nd on theSuzuki Lianaleader board).[17]His seriesLead Balloon,which he also co-wrote, began onBBC Fouron 4 October 2006. Described as "Britain's answer toCurb Your Enthusiasm",[18]Lead Balloonsees Dee play the semi-biographical role ofRick Spleen.A second series of eight episodes was commissioned and was broadcast onBBC Twoin 2007, with a third series debuting on Thursday 13 November 2008. A fourth series finished on the BBC on 5 July 2011.[19]He also starred as Harry in the 2005 filmShort Order.[20]

In February 2009, it was announced that Dee would be one of a trio of hosts to replace the lateHumphrey Lytteltonfor the summer series ofI'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue(the others beingStephen FryandRob Brydon).[21]He subsequently became the permanent host from the 52nd series onwards.[22]He is also a frequent guest onQIandHave I Got News for You,which he has guest-presented ten times, and he hosts segments of the BBC's biennialComic Relieftelethon. He starred in advertisements forJohn Smith's Bitterin the 1990s, becoming known as "the midget with the widget". He made his stage debut in 1998, playing Yvan inYasmina Reza'sOlivier award-winning'Art'.[23]He later returned as Serge for a 13-week run at the request of the director.[24]

Dee performing in 2020

In 2008, Dee took part in the 15th anniversary special ofShooting Starswhere he replacedWill Selfas captain of Team A. The show aired on 30 December 2008 onBBC2.Dee returned as team captain in series 6 ofShooting Starson 26 August 2009, and again for the 7th series.[25]Over Christmas 2009, Dee played the role of John Tweedledum inThe News at Bedtime.[26]

In 2010, Dee took part inChannel 4's Comedy Gala,abenefit showheld in aid ofGreat Ormond Street Children's Hospital,filmed live at theO2 Arenain London on 30 March.[27]In 2013, Dee joinedDara Ó Briain,Chelsee Healey,Greg James,Melanie CandPhilips IdowuinThrough Hell and High Water,a Comic Relief challenge which involved British celebrities canoeing the most difficult rapids of theZambezi River.[28]They raised more than £1 million for the charity.

In 2017, Dee co-wrote and starred inBad Move,a sitcom about a middle-aged man and his wife (played byKerry Godliman) who move from the city to a country cottage in search of the rural dream, which becomes more of a nightmare. A second series was broadcast in 2018.[29]

In May 2024, Dee was announced as a contestant in the eighteenth series ofTaskmaster.[30]

Personal life

[edit]

Dee met Susan Jane Hetherington in 1986, when he was working as a waiter inFulhamand she was a receptionist at a nearby hotel.[31]They married inWinchester,Hampshire,in 1989.[32]The couple divide their time between a family home inWandsworth,Londonand a holiday house nearChichester,West Sussex.[33][34]Together, they have four children.[32]

Dee suffers fromdepression,and he has claimed that his work is the best therapy for his condition, saying "if you have the impulse to be creative, you ignore it at your peril".[35]

In his twenties, Dee worked atthe RitzinCentral Londonand started drinking heavily. He attended church and attempted to become apriest.After he realised that was not for him he gave it up, and never quit drinking, although he would later describe his condition as "alcohol abuse"rather thanalcoholism,which was the diagnosis at the time.[36]Since the 1990s, he has advertisedJohn Smith's Bitter,becoming known as "the midget with thewidget". Following his appearance onCelebrity Big Brother,he had a relapse, though did not attendAAmeetings because he did not want paparazzi photographing him leaving the meetings.[37]

In 2007, theDaily Expressreported that he was in negotiations with publishers to release hisautobiography.[38]He signed withDoubledayin 2008 and the book,Thanks for Nothing: The Jack Dee Memoirs,was released in October 2009, along with an audiobook of the same title which he narrates.[39]According to Dee, "it's really the story of how I got into comedy... It's kind of an autobiography but isn't, as it stops about 25 years ago. It goes right up to the first time I do stand up."[40]

In February 2009, Dee and several other entertainers wrote an open letter toThe TimessupportingBaháʼíleaders, then on trial inIran.[41]

Dee is a director ofOpen Mike Productions,co-founded with Addison Cresswell,[42]which produces shows for television and radio includingMichael McIntyre's Comedy RoadshowandAlan Carr: Chatty Man.

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1992–1994 The Jack Dee Show Presenter
1993 The South Bank Show Himself Guest
1995 Top of the Pops Guest Presenter 3 episodes
The Steal Wilmot's Servant Guest role
1996 Jack & Jeremy's Real Lives Various characters
1997 Clive Anderson Guest
The Grimleys Doug Digby Main cast
1998 The Ambassador (TV series) Cornelius Guest role
1999 Comic Relief Presenter
It's only TV, But I like It Team captain
Silent Witness Chris Caldwell Guest role
2000 Don't Panic: The Dad's Army Story Himself Guest
2000–2001 Jack Dee's Happy Hour Himself Regular
2001 Celebrity Big Brother Contestant Winner
Trust Me I'm a Celebrity Presenter
2002 Dalziel and Pascoe Dick Dee Guest role
Jack Dee: Sent To Siberia Himself
2003 Comic Relief Himself
Jonathan Creek Dudley Houseman Guest role
2004 Spivs Nigel
Bob Monkhouse: A BAFTA Tribute Himself Guest
Tunnel of Love Roy TV movie
2004–2005, 2007, 2013 Live at the Apollo Presenter and Guest Presenter
2005 Comic Aid Presenter One-off edition
2006 Mark Lawson Talks To... Himself Guest
The Last Drop Warren
2006–2011 Lead Balloon Rick Spleen Main cast
2007 Dawn French's Boys Who Do Comedy Regular
The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz Contestant
Jack Dee Up Close Presenter
2008 Happy Birthday Brucie Himself Guest
The Comedy Map of Britain Himself
2008–2011 Shooting Stars Team captain
2009 Kingdom Judge Jeremey Harding Guest role
2010 Let's Dance for Sport Relief Guest judge
Channel 4's Comedy Gala Performer
A Comedy Roast Roaster
Fry & Laurie Reunited Himself Guest
2011 24 Hour Panel People Himself
Wall of Fame Team captain
My Favourite Joke Himself 5 episodes
2014—2017 Josh Geoff Main cast
2015 Alternative Election Night Himself Panellist
The Apprentice: You're Fired! Presenter Series 11
2015–2016 Jack Dee's Helpdesk Presenter
2016 Power Monkeys Oliver Main cast
2017–2018 Bad Move Steve Main cast, 13 episodes
2024 Have I Got News for You Guest panellist 1 episode

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result
1991 British Comedy Award Best Stage Newcomer Won
Perrier Comedy Award Nominated
1997 British Advertising Award John Smith's Bitter Commercials Won
British Comedy Award Best Stand-up Comedian Won
2006 British Academy Television Award Best Entertainment Performance Jack Dee Live at the Apollo Nominated

Books

[edit]
  • Thanks for Nothing(Doubleday,2009)ISBN9780385615488
  • What is Your Problem?(Quercus,2021)ISBN9781529413366

Stand-up VHS & DVDs

[edit]
  • Live at the Duke of York's Theatre(1992)
  • Live at the London Palladium(10 October 1994)
  • Live in London(10 November 1997)
  • Live and Uncut(13 December 1999) [extended version ofLive in London]
  • Live at the Apollo(18 November 2002)
  • Live Again(14 November 2005)
  • So What? Live(18 November 2013)

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Loose Ends".Loose Ends.24 October 2009.BBC Radio 4.Retrieved18 January2014.
  2. ^Bassett, Kate (24 May 1997)."Mr Deadpan loosens up".The Daily Telegraph.Archived fromthe originalon 26 February 2016.Retrieved3 November2015.
  3. ^"Index entry".FreeBMD.ONS.Retrieved7 August2016.
  4. ^BBC Comedy Guide: Jack Dee.Retrieved 14 August 2006.
  5. ^Dee, Jack.Thanks For Nothing.Doubleday,2009, pp. 133–34, 171.
  6. ^Cavendish, Lucy (23 October 2006)."Now I don't need to be drunk to be happy".London Evening Standard.Archived fromthe originalon 25 May 2012.Retrieved17 January2007.
  7. ^Different sources give different dates for the open-mike gig, with some saying 1986, some 1987 and some 1988. An interview withThe Timesin 2004 states 1987.Chortlegives 1986 and 1988 on the same page. His biography atOff The Kerb,which represents him, gives it as 1986.
  8. ^"The Jack Dee Show".Channel 4.
  9. ^"Jack Dee".Big Belly Comedy Club.Retrieved31 May2024.
  10. ^Rees, Jasper (31 May 1996)."TELEVISION: Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives (C4) | The Independent".The Independent.Retrieved31 May2024.
  11. ^"Jack Dee".Prime Performers.Retrieved31 May2024.
  12. ^Jack Dee, Mark Lawson (3 October 2006).Mark Lawson Talks to Jack Dee.BBC Four(TV-series).
  13. ^Flett, Kathryn (29 February 2004)."The ups and downs of pros and cons".The Observer.London, UK.Retrieved14 August2006.
  14. ^Low, Lenny Ann (23 January 2007)."Tunnel of Love".The Age.Retrieved31 May2024.
  15. ^"BBC – Press Office – Britain's Best Sitcom top 10".BBC.Retrieved22 December2018.
  16. ^Dessau, Bruce (10 April 2012)."Raising laughs for Comic Aid".Evening Standard.Retrieved31 May2024.
  17. ^"Top Gear/Star in a Reasonably Priced Car - The TV IV".tviv.org.Retrieved31 May2024.
  18. ^Byrne, Ciar (26 January 2006)."Dee writes BBC's answer to" Curb Your Enthusiasm "".The Independent.London, UK. Archived fromthe originalon 14 September 2006.Retrieved14 August2006.
  19. ^"BBC Two - Lead Balloon, Series 4, End".BBC.Retrieved31 May2024.
  20. ^Sheehy, Ted (2 November 2004)."Hurt joins Short Order cast".Screen.Retrieved31 May2024.
  21. ^Nissim, Mayer (25 February 2009)."Fry, Brydon, Dee to host 'Clue' return".Digital Spy.
  22. ^"Jack Dee to host Radio 4's Clue".16 October 2009.Retrieved31 May2024.
  23. ^Paddock, Terri (20 January 1998)."Comedian Dee Makes Theatrical Debut in Art's Fifth London Cast".Playbill.
  24. ^Cavendish, Dominic (25 November 1998)."The Independent Recommends: Theatre | The Independent".The Independent.Retrieved31 May2024.
  25. ^McGreevy, Hannah (17 June 2023)."Jack Dee admits 'I'm not as miserable as people might think'".Express.co.uk.Retrieved31 May2024.
  26. ^Bennett, Steve."It's Jack Tweedle-Dee: News 2009: Chortle: The UK Comedy Guide".chortle.co.uk.Retrieved31 May2024.
  27. ^Bennett, Steve."C4 Comedy Gala at the O2, London: Features 2010: Chortle: The UK Comedy Guide".chortle.co.uk.Retrieved31 May2024.
  28. ^"Comic Relief celebrities complete 'Hell and High Water' Zambezi challenge".Charity Challenge Blog.3 February 2013.Retrieved31 May2024.
  29. ^Wilson, Benji (19 September 2018)."Bad Move, review: a confusing waste of Jack Dee's talents".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved31 May2024.
  30. ^Mellor, Louisa (30 May 2024)."Taskmaster Series 18 Line-Up Revealed (Incl. Alex Horne's Dream Comedian Jack Dee!)".Den of Geek.Retrieved31 May2024.
  31. ^Farndale, Nigel (23 November 2009)."The Sunshine boy: Jack Dee interview".The Daily Telegraph.London. Archived fromthe originalon 26 November 2009.Retrieved19 March2011.
  32. ^abBarfoot, Paul."There's more to funny fella Jack Dee than just deadpan wit".BBC Entertainment.BBC. Archived fromthe originalon 3 May 2011.Retrieved19 March2011.
  33. ^"Jack on Jack: When Dee met Whitehall".6 December 2013.
  34. ^"Jack Dee:" I just really, really love West Sussex "".27 September 2021.
  35. ^The Sunshine boy: Jack Dee interview,The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  36. ^Wark, Penny (8 March 2002). "Jack Dee: a seriously funny man".The Times.
  37. ^Billen, Andrew (17 February 2004). "Politics? I'd rather talk about God".The Times.
  38. ^Spencer, Kathryn (4 January 2007). "Jack's back in bid to sell his life story".Daily Express.
  39. ^"It's his autobiograph-Dee".Chortle.4 December 2008.
  40. ^Thair, David (8 May 2009)."HIGNFY Guest Host interview: Jack Dee".BBC Comedy Blog.
  41. ^Bremner, Charles; Robertson, David (26 February 2009)."Stand up for Iran's Baha'is – Voices from the arts call for the imprisoned Baha'i leaders in Iran to receive a fair trial".The Times.London, UK.
  42. ^Richardson, Jay (24 September 2012)."Interview: Jack Dee, stand-up comedian".The Scotsman.
[edit]
Preceded by
None
 Celebrity Big Brother UKwinner
Series 1 (2001) 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jack_Dee&oldid=1242252498"