Matt Lucas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Matt Lucas
Lucas at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
Born	Matthew Richard Lucas (1974-03-05) 5 March 1974 (age 51) Paddington, London, England
Citizenship	United Kingdom Germany
Occupation	Actor comedian writer television presenter
Years active	1992–present
Partner(s)	Kevin McGee (c. 2002–2008)

Matthew Richard Lucas (born 5 March 1974) is a famous English actor, comedian, writer, and TV host. He is well-known for his funny shows with David Walliams. These include the BBC sketch comedy series Little Britain (2003–2006) and Come Fly with Me (2010–2011).

Matt Lucas first became popular on the comedy show Shooting Stars. He played the scorekeeper George Dawes from 1995 to 2009. Later, from 2015 to 2017, he played Nardole in the BBC series Doctor Who. He has also been in many movies like Alice in Wonderland (2010) and Paddington (2014). More recently, he appeared in Wonka (2023) and Gladiator II (2024). From 2020 to 2023, Lucas co-hosted The Great British Bake Off with Noel Fielding.

Matt Lucas's Early Life

Matthew Richard Lucas was born on 5 March 1974 in Paddington, west London. His mother's family came from a Jewish background. Some of them had to leave Nazi Germany before the Second World War. Matt grew up in a Jewish home.

When he was 6 years old, Matt lost all his hair after being hit by a car. This condition is called alopecia. His father passed away when Matt was 22.

Matt went to Aylward Primary School and Haberdashers' Boys' School. He studied drama at the University of Bristol from 1992 to 1995. He also spent time with the National Youth Theatre. There, he met David Walliams, who would become his comedy partner.

Matt Lucas's Career Highlights

Starting in Comedy

Matt Lucas began working with comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer in 1992. He appeared in their show The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer in 1995. He then starred with them in Shooting Stars. He became famous as George Dawes, a funny character who looked like a giant baby. George would tell jokes and give scores while playing the drums. Matt also sometimes played George's mother, Marjorie Dawes, who later appeared in Little Britain.

In 1999, Lucas teamed up with David Walliams. They had already worked together on shows like Mash and Peas. They created Rock Profile, a comedy show that made fun of famous musicians. This was one of their first big comedy projects together.

Matt Lucas also appeared in music videos. These include "Country House" by Blur and "Vindaloo" by Fat Les. In 2002, he acted in the musical Taboo in London. He played the artist Leigh Bowery.

Success with Little Britain

Walliams and Lucas in character as Lou and Andy at Live 8 in 2005

Little Britain is Matt Lucas's most successful show. It started as a radio show on BBC Radio 4 and then became a TV series. Matt wrote and acted in the show with David Walliams.

In Little Britain, Matt played many different characters. Some of his popular characters included Andy Pipkin, Vicky Pollard, Daffyd Thomas, and Marjorie Dawes. In January 2005, Matt Lucas and David Walliams were named the most powerful people in TV comedy by Radio Times.

Later Acting and Hosting Roles

In 2005, Matt Lucas took on a role in a TV drama called Casanova. He also did voice work for the children's show King Arthur's Disasters. Since 2006, he has been the voice of Digit Al for a public information campaign.

In 2007, he released a charity song called "(I'm Gonna Be) 500 Miles" with Peter Kay. He sang it as his Little Britain character, Andy Pipkin. He also played Mr. Toad in the TV movie The Wind in the Willows.

Matt Lucas appeared in other TV shows like Neighbours and Gavin & Stacey. He also co-wrote and performed in Little Britain USA for HBO. In 2010, he played Tweedledee and Tweedledum in Tim Burton's movie Alice in Wonderland.

On Christmas Day 2010, Matt Lucas and David Walliams' new series, Come Fly with Me, premiered on the BBC. This show focused on characters working in the airline industry.

In 2011, Matt Lucas voiced a character in the movie Gnomeo and Juliet. He also had a small role in the comedy movie Bridesmaids. In 2012, his own BBC One show, The Matt Lucas Awards, began.

Matt Lucas also starred in the movie Small Apartments (2013). In 2014, he played Joe the taxi driver in the movie Paddington. He launched a new comedy series called Pompidou for BBC Two in 2015.

In May 2016, Lucas returned as Tweedledee and Tweedledum in Alice Through the Looking Glass. He also joined the BBC series Doctor Who as Nardole for its tenth season.

In 2017, Matt Lucas released his autobiography called Little Me. From 2020 to 2023, he was the co-host of The Great British Bake Off on Channel 4. In 2020, he released a song called "Thank You Baked Potato" to raise money for NHS workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. He also wrote a children's book based on the song.

In 2023, Lucas starred in the musical fantasy film Wonka. In 2024, he played a small role in the movie Gladiator II.

Matt Lucas's Personal Life

Matt Lucas supports the Karen Morris Memorial Trust, a charity for people with leukaemia. In 2003, he won £62,500 for the charity on Celebrity Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

Matt Lucas is gay. He was married to Kevin McGee for a short time. They separated in 2008.

Matt was raised Jewish and has described himself as a "fairly secular Jew". In 2022, he learned about his family history on the show Who Do You Think You Are?. He found out that many of his grandmother's cousins were killed in the Holocaust. In 2021, he also got German citizenship.

Matt Lucas is a big fan of Arsenal Football Club. From 2012 to 2015, he lived with his Bridesmaids co-star Rebel Wilson in West Hollywood.

Matt Lucas's Filmography

Films

Television Shows

Theatre Performances

See also

In Spanish: Matt Lucas para niños