Mackenzie Crook

Non-comedy TV and film credits may be found here:
Mackenzie Crook on IMDb

Born

Wednesday 29th September 1971 (53 years-old)

Birth name

Paul James Crook

Nationality

English

Mackenzie Crook os an English actor, director, comedian, and BAFTA-winning writer.

Born and raised in Kent, Crook began his comedy career in the 1998 Channel 4 sketch show Barking, in which he played a horrid schoolteacher called Mr Bagshaw, loosely based on some of the cruel science teachers who taught him whilst at school. This led to his first major television role, as comedy sketch contributor on Channel 4's The Eleven O'Clock Show that same year. In 1999 he also hosted the short-lived ITV 1 show Comedy Café, playing the character of Charlie Cheese, who would interview a range of public figures from the world of entertainment on their latest shows and releases.

In 2001, he became a main cast member of the BBC sketch show TV To Go, and also interviewed for the role of Gareth Keenan on the BBC rockumentary sitcom The Office, co-created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Although the role of Gareth was initially written for a well-built, thuggish actor, Crook impressed at the casting call and won the role, earning himself two BAFTA nominations.

Alongside appearances as the false-eye-wearing pirate Ragetti in the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise, and a host of adverts for companies such as Visa and M&M's, in 2004 he starred alongside Johnny Vegas in the British comedy film Sex Lives Of The Potato Men, and in 2008 played the leading role of Paul Callow in comedy film Three And Out.

Crook is also well-known for creating the British comedy television series Detectorists, a single-camera show set in the fictional small town of Danebury that revolves around the lives of two metal detectorists, Andy (played by Crook), and Lance (played by Toby Jones). In 2015 Crook was awarded a BAFTA for Best Writing in a Comedy Series, and the series won the BAFTA for Best Situation Comedy.

After three successful series, Crook played the role of 'Nester of Maddox' in the fantasy-comedy series Yonderland, broadcast on Sky One, and has also played main character Debbie's father in three episodes of the long-running satirical historical series Horrible Histories. In 2019 it was announced that Crook would release Worzel Gummidge], a family comedy series he writes, directs, and stars in, which follows a scarecrow who comes to life. Based on the characters created by author Barbara Euphan Todd, it is a charming and heartwarming reimagining, featuring actors such as Steve Pemberton and India Brown.

Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 2019

Best TV Situation Comedy (Winner)
Best TV Situation Comedy (Nominee)

BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2018

Director: Fictional (Nominee)

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2018

Best Writer (Nominee)

BAFTA Television Awards 2015

Best Sitcom (Winner)

BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2015

Writer: Comedy (Winner)

Broadcasting Press Guild Awards 2015

Best Writer (Nominee)

Chortle Awards 2002

Best Sketch, Variety or Character Act (Nominee)

British Comedy Awards 2001

Best Comedy Breakthrough Artist (Nominee)