Global Talent Directory

Comedians Directory

Browse comedian profiles, biographical summaries, country of origin, and official links.

1901 comedians

Joe Pasquale

Joe Pasquale, performing under that moniker, is an English television presenter, actor, and comedian; his birthdate was August 20, 1961. His family history includes a unique detail: his grandfather immigrated to the UK after World War II, with the surname being inadvertently reversed due to an error on an immigration form. He attended Torrells Comprehensive School, experiencing a disruption to his education when he broke his leg at age 13, leading to him skipping a year of schooling. Pasquale left school at age 15 and worked in a variety of positions prior to beginning his entertainment career; these included employment at his father’s margarine factory, roles as a Greencoat and bingo caller at a Warner Holiday Camp in Lowestoft, and ultimately a position as an Entertainments Manager at another Warner Holiday Camp in Torquay. Pasquale’s comedy style is characterized by quick wit, familiar humor, and an unmistakable personality, often delivered with a distinctive voice. He began performing stand-up comedy over 30 years ago, and his performances are described as feel-good and light-hearted. Pasquale first achieved public attention when he was the runner-up on the television talent competition 'New Faces' in 1987. His career has included appearances in children's television shows and voicing characters in Hollywood movies such as 'Garfield: A Tale Of Two Kittens' and 'Horton Hears A Who!'. He provided a voice for the animated series 'Frankenstein’s Cat,' and featured in 'The Muppets 25th Anniversary Show.' Widely regarded as one of the UK’s most popular comedy entertainers, Pasquale continues to stage shows and make television appearances. Throughout his career, Pasquale has achieved significant milestones. Winning 'King Of The Jungle' during the 2004 season of 'I’m a Celebrity Get Me out Of Here!' demonstrated Pasquale’s popularity and physical abilities. He competed in the eighth season of 'Dancing on Ice' during 2013. He hosted the revived version of 'The Price Is Right' for ITV and has appeared in an ITV special called 'An Audience With Joe Pasquale.' His theatrical work includes roles in 'The Nerd' (1999), touring productions of 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' (2004), 'The Producers' (2007), 'The Wizard Of Oz' (2010), 'Doctor In The House' (2012) and playing Frank Spencer in a touring production of 'Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em', most recently in 2022. The entertainer has appeared five times in Royal Variety Performances, plus as a guest on ‘Celebrity Mastermind’ and ‘Celebrity Chase’ on BBC. Additional television roles include ‘Sugar Free Farm,’ ‘The All New Monty: Who Bares Wins,’ a celebrity rendition of 'Total Wipeout,' and an effort to achieve a Guinness World Record for martial arts throws per minute; he is currently studying Geo Sciences at the Open University.

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Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas is an English actor and comedian born on October 28, 1983, in Chelmsford, Essex. He attended King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford and subsequently studied history at Pembroke College, Cambridge. From 2005 to 2006, he held the position of secretary for the Footlights, working alongside Simon Bird who served as president. He performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Jonny Sweet in 'The Jonny and Joe Show' early in his career. This showed his growing talent as a comedian. Thomas is widely recognized for his role as Simon Cooper in the E4 television series The Inbetweeners (2008-2010) and its subsequent films in 2011 and 2014. Beyond this, he has demonstrated versatility with roles such as Kingsley Owen in Fresh Meat from 2011 to 2016, George in Chickens , which he co-wrote with Simon Bird and Jonny Sweet, and Martin Lavender in White Gold . He also appeared as Nick in the 2018 film The Festival . His comedic style often explores themes of existential dread related to his association with The Inbetweeners , and he addresses social media aggression in his performances. Thomas has compared his time on The Inbetweeners to being part of an 'ugly boy band'. In recent years, Thomas has been actively pursuing stand-up comedy. In 2021, Thomas presented ‘Trying Not To Panic’ at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, subsequently bringing the show to London's Bill Murray venue. The show was described as "a bit rough around the edges" but a "promising debut". He has also recounted experiences such as an awful audition and a failed trip to Hollywood. Thomas is currently engaged to Hannah Tointon, and they have a daughter born in October 2022. As of 2021, he was 37 years old and had previously performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2008. He has script development deals with Channel 4 and Fudge Park/BBC, and he appeared as a contestant on Dave’s Taskmaster . Thomas identifies as being autistic, and this understanding shapes elements of his comedy.

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John Linehan

John Joseph Linehan, MBE, is an Irish performer best known for his drag‑queen persona May McFettridge. In that character he has become a long‑standing presence on local radio and television, and he regularly appears as a pantomime dame.

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Jon Culshaw

Jon Culshaw is a British comedian, actor, and impressionist born on June 2, 1968, in Ormskirk, England. His early career began as a radio announcer, initially at hospital radio in Ormskirk. He subsequently worked at Red Rose Radio (now Rock FM) in Preston from 1987, occasionally reading the weather as Frank Bruno, and later served as a DJ on Viking FM in Hull for approximately four years during the late 1980s. Additional roles included hosting breakfast shows on Pennine Radio and Radio Wave. A receptionist at Viking FM encouraged him to pursue impressions as a career, marking a significant shift towards his comedic style. He voiced around forty characters on the satirical puppet show Spitting Image in the 1990s, and notably impersonated William Hague and spoke with Tony Blair at Number 10 Downing Street in 1998. From 2000 to 2007, he starred in the BBC Radio 4 comedy series Dead Ringers , and its television adaptation, frequently portraying figures such as George W. Bush, Tony Blair, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also appeared in The Impressions Show with Debra Stephenson from 2009 to 2011, impersonating Simon Cowell and Sir Alan Sugar. His work has extended to other television appearances, including Missing (2010) and Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack (2008), as well as participating in Comic Relief events and appearing on game shows like Celebrity Mastermind . Culshaw has performed in over 350 voices and starred in 20+ series of the Sony Gold award-winning 'Dead Ringers' on BBC Radio 4. Beyond radio and television, Culshaw’s career includes presenting roles such as Alter Ego (2001-2002) and Jon Culshaw’s Commercial Breakdown (2006). He also played David Bowie in the BBC radio play The Final Take: Bowie in the Studio in 2018, and has performed at the Royal Variety Performance. His theatrical credits include appearances in Spamalot in London's West End and a Harold Pinter season at The Pinter theatre, as well as being part of 'The Secret Policeman’s Ball'. He functions as a corporate host and entertainer, and is an ambassador for the Prince's Trust. Culshaw is also an amateur astronomer, and has appeared on The Sky at Night from 2007 to 2011.

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Kate Smurthwaite

Kate Smurthwaite, born in London in 1975, is a British comedian, writer, and political activist. She began performing comedy in early 2004 after a brief career in finance. From 1997 to 2004, she worked as an investment banker in London and Japan, earning a mathematics degree from Lincoln College, Oxford between 1994 and 1997. Her work now encompasses stand-up comedy performed around the UK and internationally, appearances as a pundit on British television and radio commenting on politics and religion, and writing for various publications. Smurthwaite’s comedy style often incorporates political and social commentary. Beginning in 2005, Kate has presented a yearly comedy performance at the Edinburgh Fringe; among these have been 'News At Kate', ' productions that received a ThreeWeeks Editors' Award in 2013. She performs at comedy clubs such as Manford’s, The Stand, The Comedy Store, and Piccadilly Comedy Club, alongside alternative venues like Quantum Leopard. Beyond performing, Smurthwaite is actively involved in various causes. She is a patron of Humanists UK and vice chair of Abortion Rights UK, working as a spokesperson for the latter for nearly a decade. She has also collaborated with Women For Refugee Women and Women Asylum Seekers Together, and teaches English voluntarily to female asylum seekers. She has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including Question Time in January 2014 and Come Dine with Me in 2016. In 2014, her science program, "The Evolution Will Be Televised," secured a nomination for the Creative Carbon Scotland Fringe Sustainable Practice Award. Kate gained global recognition due to a widely shared video titled 'Atheist Bitchslap.' Presently, she performs 'Severe Lacerations to Head,' which had its initial presentation at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Additionally, she conducts tours of 'Evolution Revolution,' a science educational show designed for children, that earned the title of Overall Best Children’s Event at the 2024 Perth Fringe.

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Lloyd Langford

Born on August 6, 1983, Lloyd Langford is a Welsh voice artist, comedian, and comedy writer. He grew up in Baglan, Neath Port Talbot, and now resides in Melbourne, Australia. As a Welsh-born individual, his heritage often informs his work, as evidenced by the title of his first solo tour, Rare Bit. He is a republican and opposes the monarchy. Langford’s journey into comedy began during his studies at the University of Warwick, where he pursued film and television. While there, he regularly MC'd at Warwick Comedy’s Sunday night stand-up show. Early in his career, he gained experience as an audience warm-up for the show QI. He has since appeared as a guest on numerous programs including Russell Howard's Good News, The News Quiz, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Q.I. Langford's writing credits include contributions to Live at the Apollo, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and The King is Dead; he has also penned jokes for Gilbert, Frankie Boyle, and Simon Amstell. Langford’s collaborative work extends beyond television writing. He was a regular panellist on Ask Rhod Gilbert from 2010 to 2011 and co-hosted Rhod Gilbert's Bulging Barrel of Laughs radio show. The sitcom pilot Rhod Gilbert's Leaving Llanbobl featured Langford portraying Rhod Gilbert's brother, and he presently co-hosts The Rhod Gilbert Show on BBC Radio Wales, with occasional co-hosting duties on Gilbert’s weekly program on the same station. His work with Rhod Gilbert continued with contributions to Rhod Gilbert's Work Experience. The BBC Radio Wales sketch show Here Be Dragons, of which Langford is a co-writer and performer, received a Radio Academy award in 2018 and a Sony Award in 2014. Langford regularly performs with the comedy group GIT and has participated in numerous Edinburgh Festival Fringe performances; furthermore, he has been an invited guest at Just for Laughs Montreal. He has also performed stand-up internationally, from Abu Dhabi to Zurich. More recently, Langford has achieved significant recognition in Australia. A tour of his show, Why the Long Face?, took place in Australia and New Zealand during 2019. Since 2022, Langford has appeared on Australian television programs Have You Been Paying Attention and Thank God You're Here, and he frequently undertakes tours across Australia, consistently filling venues. Notably, he won Season 2 of Taskmaster Australia in 2024, defeating his partner Anne Edmonds in a tiebreaker. He and Edmonds have a daughter born in October 2021, and toured nationally together in 2021 with ‘Business With Pleasure’, which was recorded for Paramount+. Network Ten released Langford’s show 'Current Mood' in 2024, resulting in a Best Stand Up Comedy Special AACTA nomination for him. He co-created and wrote 'The Island' for Dave in 2022.

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Mike Winters

Mike Winters, an English comedian who also worked as a musician, entrepreneur and author, acted as the straight‑man alongside his younger brother Bernie in the comedy duo Mike and Bernie Winters.

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Rob Beckett

Robert Anthony Beckett emerged as a prominent figure in British comedy, born on January 2, 1986, in Mottingham, London. His upbringing involved a father who worked as a driver for various companies and a mother who initially managed the household before later working in a shop. He attended Edgebury Primary School and Coopers School, subsequently pursuing tourism management at Canterbury Christ Church University from 2004 to 2007. Prior to dedicating himself to comedy, Beckett held several minor jobs, including work at a flower market and an office. Beckett’s professional comedy journey began in 2009, quickly gaining momentum with notable achievements. In 2011, he placed third in the 'So You Think You're Funny' competition and secured victory at the Amused Moose Laugh-Off, leading to a performance at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. He also received a nomination for the best newcomer award at the Adelaide Fringe Festival that same year. His debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival followed in 2012 with 'Rob Beckett's Summer Holiday'. From 2012 to 2014, he co-hosted 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW!', further increasing his visibility. He demonstrated his versatility by winning the third series of Taskmaster in 2016 and has narrated 'Celebs Go Dating' since that year. Rob Beckett continues to enjoy a diverse and successful career, encompassing television, podcasts, and live performances. From 2016 to 2021, he served as a team captain on '8 Out of 10 Cats', and since 2025, he has held the same role on '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown'. He also stars in ‘LOL: Last One Laughing UK’ (2025) and co-hosts 'The Magic Sponge' podcast with Ian Smith and Jimmy Bullard. His partnership with Romesh Ranganathan has led to the creation of 'Rob & Romesh Vs.' and numerous hosting duties, including The Royal Variety Performance and the BAFTA TV Awards twice. In 2024, Beckett and Ranganathan won a BAFTA for Comedy Entertainment Performance. Alongside Josh Widdicombe, he co-hosts the hugely popular 'Parenting Hell' podcast, which has amassed over 300 million downloads and spawned a Sunday Times bestselling book in 2023, as well as a live tour across Britain. He also tours his show 'Giraffe' globally, selling out venues worldwide since 2025.

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Siân Gibson

Sian Gibson, born Sian Foulkes on July 15, 1976, is a Welsh actor, writer, and executive producer currently residing at the age of 50. She grew up in Mold, Flintshire, Wales, the daughter of a builder and a housewife. Her early interest in performance led her to attend Theatr Clwyd youth theatre and subsequently study performing arts at the University of Salford. It was during her time at Salford that she met Peter Kay and Steve Edge, relationships that would significantly shape her career. Gibson began her acting career with small roles in television shows such as Peak Practice , Hospital People , and Emmerdale between the late 1990s and early 2000s. She also appeared in Hollyoaks from 1998 to 1999, returning briefly in 2007, and had three episodes as Trish in The League of Gentlemen . Her collaboration with Peter Kay began during this period, leading to appearances in projects like ‘The Services’, ‘Eyes Down’, and ‘Phoenix Nights’. However, she faced periods of difficulty finding acting work, at one point working at a call centre for Card One Banking. Gibson is perhaps best known for co-writing and starring in the BBC1 sitcom Peter Kay’s Car Share . She received considerable recognition for this role, winning a 2016 BAFTA TV Award for Best Scripted Comedy and a National Television Award for Best Comedy, alongside a 2018 BAFTA Television Award nomination for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Programme and two RTS comedy performance awards. Her work with Peter Kay continues, including the UKTV film series Murder on the Blackpool Express / Murder, They Hope , appearing in eleven films between 2017 and 2024. She also co-wrote and starred in The Power of Parker , winning a Royal Television Society award for it; its second series in 2023 received critical praise, and it remains the highest-ranking new comedy on BBC1. 9 , The Reluctant Landlord , and a four-part BBC series called THE WITCH FARM , demonstrating her continued presence in British comedy and television.

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Tom Moran

Growing up close to Membury, Devon, Tom Moran was born in 1987 and received his education at Colyton Grammar School. Following this, Moran enrolled at the University of East Anglia to study Scriptwriting and Performance, a period during which he founded the Laugh Out Loud comedy club. His work spans various mediums, including screenwriting, acting, and stand-up comedy. Moran’s career includes significant achievements in both writing and performance. During his time at university, Moran presented a show for twenty-one consecutive nights at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In 2014, he won a prize for self-published fiction from the Guardian and Legend Press. In 2015, Moran received a BAFTA Rocliffe New Comedy Writing Forum award for 'Printheads,' a project that also featured in the New York Television Festival. He also won the AMC-Channel 4 Drama Co-Development Award for 'White Rabbit' at that festival. Moran served as both writer and executive producer for the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Devil's Hour'. His work has been featured in publications like the Washington Post. 'Tom Moran is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar,' his solo show, has achieved significant acclaim recently; it debuted at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2022, earning him the Best New Writing Award. It has been described as hilarious yet deeply personal, exploring themes of masculinity, childhood, and identity. The show had sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2023 and was performed at the Abbey Theatre in 2024, with a tour to Sydney and Melbourne Fringe scheduled for 2024. Deadpan Pictures has optioned the show for potential TV development. He starred in the romantic comedy film 'The Christmas Break', released in 2023, alongside Justin Long and India Mullen, receiving critical acclaim for his performance. He also appeared in 'Staging The Treaty' (2022), 'Vikings' (2022) and 'King Lear' (2022). Currently, Tom Moran holds the position of Associate Artist with the Solstice Theatre and is actively working on several stage and screen projects, including 'The Knocks' in collaboration with Tom Sherry at Headline Pictures. He is also writing a debut book of comedic essays and hosts the podcast 'Personality Bingo,' part of The HeadStuff Podcast Network, which features guests such as Paul Mescal, Danielle Galligan, Emmet Kirwan, India Mullen, Marina Carr, Justine Stafford, Michael Fry, FELISPEAKS and Sarah Morris; bonus content is available for HeadStuff+ subscribers. He received the Next Generation Award from the Irish Arts Council in 2023.

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Vic McGlynn

Victoria Claire McGlynn, known professionally as Vic McGlynn, formerly worked in England as a radio presenter, voice‑over artist and disc jockey, and has now transitioned to a career as a practicing nurse.

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Victor Lewis-Smith

Victor Lewis-Smith, a British film, television, and radio producer, died on December 10, 2022, at the age of 65 following a short illness. Born on May 12, 1957, in Essex, he grew up in Chadwell Heath. His father was a neurosurgeon, and he attended the University of York, studying music in the late 1970s. During the mid-1980s, he worked as a staff producer for BBC Radio 4’s Midweek and Start The Week, beginning his broadcasting career at BBC Radio Medway. While at university, Lewis-Smith presented a student TV show called 'Intimate Freshness' under the name Damien Filth. He also gained notoriety for climbing York Minster and reciting the Muslim call to prayer, resulting in an arrest and fine for causing a public disturbance. He began his professional life writing critiques of restaurants and television, along with satirical pieces and newspaper columns. Between 1983 and 1985, he hosted 'Snooze Button' on BBC Radio York, while also providing sketch scripts for Central’s ‘Spitting Image’. Working alongside Paul Sparks, he created radio sketches that blended music, special effects, and toilet humour, resulting in nine award wins at the 1988 Independent Radio Awards. Lewis-Smith's career encompassed a wide range of creative endeavors. He owned a production company called Associated Rediffusion Productions Limited, acquired in 1990, which produced shows like 'TV Offal' (1997-1998). He wrote and presented 'Buy-gones' for Club X on Channel 4 in 1989, and later produced 'Up Your Arts' (1992) and 'Ads Infinitum' (1996 pilot, 1998, 2000). He contributed to various projects including 'Z For Fake' (2001), 'The Barftas' (2002), 'The Vicious Circle' (2002), and 'Has anyone seen Junfan?' (2002), as well as narrating and producing 'Here's a Piano I Prepared Earlier' (2005) and 'Jake on the Box' (2006). Between 2016 and 2018, he oversaw the production of documentaries focusing on Peter Cook, Peter Sellers, Kenneth Williams, and Tony Hancock; additionally, he served as executive producer for a series of contentious documentaries hosted by Keith Allen on Channel 4. His final production, 'Hitler’s Jazz Band', was broadcast in December 2022. For over 15 years, Lewis-Smith served as the chief television reviewer at the London Evening Standard; also, he contributed as a columnist for the Daily Mirror for a decade. He wrote a review column for The Standard for 15 years, often criticizing television celebrities with what was described as a 'lethal' and 'scabrous' style. His writing sometimes led to legal complaints and required revisions; he attempted to get the f-word published in the paper unsuccessfully. Despite offers of higher salaries from other Fleet Street papers, The Standard retained him by increasing his pay, eventually making him their highest-paid journalist. He leaves behind his wife, Virginia, and their daughter, Lucia. His unique critical voice is greatly missed, and his work significantly impacted British culture, influencing comedians like Chris Morris, Edgar Wright, Adam Buxton, and Joe Cornish.

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