Mackenzie Crook facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mackenzie Crook
Crook in 2009
Born	Paul James Crook (1971-09-29) 29 September 1971 (age 53) Maidstone, Kent, England
Occupation	Actor director writer
Years active	1996–present
Spouse(s)	Lindsay Crook ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	2

Mackenzie Crook (born Paul James Crook on September 29, 1971) is an English actor, director, and writer. You might know him from his famous roles in movies and TV shows. He is well-known for playing the funny character Gareth Keenan in the British comedy show The Office. He also played the pirate Ragetti with the wooden eye in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Crook is a very versatile actor, which means he can play many different types of characters. He has acted in comedies, dramas, and fantasy stories. He played Orell in the popular series Game of Thrones. He also wrote, directed, and starred as the main character in the TV show Worzel Gummidge. Besides his work on screen, he has also performed in plays and was nominated for a famous theatre award.

Early Life

Mackenzie Crook was born in Maidstone, Kent, England, and grew up in the nearby town of Dartford. His father, Michael, worked for British Airways, and his mother, Sheila, was a hospital manager. When he was a child, he had a condition that affected his growth, so he received a special hormone treatment for three years.

He went to Sutton-at-Hone Primary School and later Wilmington Grammar School for Boys. His school didn't have a drama club, so he joined a local youth theatre to practice acting. During the summer, he would visit his uncle's tobacco farm in Zimbabwe, where he discovered a passion for painting.

Before becoming a famous actor, Crook had several jobs, including working at a Pizza Hut and a store called Halfords. When he was in his early twenties, he moved to London to become a comedian. He created funny characters and performed at comedy clubs and festivals, which is where he was first noticed by other comedians.

Career

Television and Film Roles

One of Crook's first TV appearances was in 1998 on a sketch show called Barking. He played a strange schoolteacher character that he based on teachers he had in school.

His big break came in 2001 when he was cast as Gareth Keenan in the show The Office. The show is a mockumentary, which is a fake documentary that is meant to be funny. His performance was so popular that he was nominated for a British Comedy Award.

In 2003, Crook became famous around the world for playing Ragetti in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Ragetti is a pirate who is always losing his wooden eye. He appeared in two more Pirates of the Caribbean movies: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007).

Crook has appeared in many other films. He had roles in The Merchant of Venice, a movie based on a play by Shakespeare, and Finding Neverland. He also played a part in the fantasy movie The Brothers Grimm (2005).

From 2014 to 2022, Crook wrote, directed, and starred in his own TV series called Detectorists. The show is about two friends, Andy (played by Crook) and Lance, who love searching for buried treasure with metal detectors. The show was very successful and won awards for its writing and for being the best comedy series.

He also played the character Orell in the hit fantasy series Game of Thrones and took on the main role in Worzel Gummidge, a show he also wrote and directed.

Theatre Work

Mackenzie Crook is also a talented stage actor. In 2004, he acted in a London play called One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He also starred in a famous play called The Seagull in both London and on Broadway in New York City.

One of his most celebrated roles was in the play Jerusalem. His performance was so good that he was nominated for a Tony Award, which is one of the highest honors in theatre. He returned to this role in a 2022 revival of the play.

Other Projects

Besides acting, Crook is also a writer and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated a children's book called The Windvale Sprites, which was released in 2011. The book was nominated for a children's book prize. He has written other books for children and adults as well.

He has also been involved in music projects. He appeared in a music video for the song "Dance Tonight" by Paul McCartney, a member of The Beatles. He has also directed a music video for a band.

Personal Life

Mackenzie Crook and his wife, Lindsay, live in London. They got married in April 2001 and have a son and a daughter.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Mackenzie Crook para niños