Mel Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mel Smith |
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Smith in the 1980s
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| Birth name | Melvyn Kenneth Smith |
| Born | 3 December 1952 Chiswick, London, England |
| Died | 19 July 2013 (aged 60) London, England |
| Medium | Film, television |
| Years active | 1979–2013 |
| Genres | Political satire and sketch comedy |
| Spouse |
Pamela Gay-Rees
(m. 1988) |
| Children | 2 |
| Notable works and roles | Not the Nine O'Clock News Alas Smith and Jones |
Melvyn Kenneth Smith (born December 3, 1952 – died July 19, 2013) was a famous English comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He was best known for his work on popular sketch comedy shows. These included Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones. He often worked with his comedy partner, Griff Rhys Jones. Together, Smith and Jones also started a company called Talkback. This company grew to be one of the biggest producers of TV comedy in the United Kingdom.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mel Smith grew up in Chiswick, London. His father, Kenneth, worked in a coal mine during World War II. After the war, his father moved to London. He married Mel's mother, whose family owned a greengrocer's shop. When new laws allowed betting shops, his father turned their shop into the first one in Chiswick.
Mel went to Hogarth Primary School in Chiswick. Later, he attended Latymer Upper School, which is a private school. He then studied Experimental Psychology at New College, Oxford University.
Comedy and Acting Career
While at Oxford University, Mel Smith was very active in theatre. He produced plays and performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This is a big arts festival in Scotland. His university activities helped him join professional theatre groups. He worked with the Royal Court Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic. He was also a director at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
TV Shows and Sketch Comedy
Mel Smith became famous for his work on TV. He joined the team for the satirical BBC show Not the Nine O'Clock News. This show made fun of current events and news. After that, he had a short show called Smith and Goody.
Then came Alas Smith and Jones, which he starred in with Griff Rhys Jones. The show's name was a funny twist on an old American TV series. This comedy sketch show became very popular. Smith and Jones often performed together. They were known for their clever and funny skits.
Founding TalkBack Productions
In 1981, Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones started their own company. It was called TalkBack Productions. This company went on to create many successful British comedy shows. Some of these include Smack the Pony and I'm Alan Partridge. In 2000, they sold the company for a lot of money.
Smith and Jones even introduced the band Queen at the huge Live Aid concert in 1985. They dressed as police officers for the funny introduction.
Film Work
Mel Smith also worked in movies. He co-wrote and starred in the space comedy Morons from Outer Space (1985). He also directed films, like The Tall Guy (1989), which helped Emma Thompson get a big role.
One of his best-known films in America was Brain Donors (1992). It was a modern version of a Marx Brothers movie. In it, Smith played a funny, clever taxi driver.
Music and Other Appearances
In 1987, Mel Smith recorded a song with singer Kim Wilde for Comic Relief. It was a funny version of the Christmas song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". The song became a big hit, reaching number three in the UK charts. That same year, he appeared in the fantasy film The Princess Bride as a character called The Albino.
Smith and Jones reunited in 2005 for a show called The Smith And Jones Sketchbook. Mel joked about Griff having more money than him. He said it was still fun to work together because their comedy "chemistry" was special.
Mel also returned to the theatre stage. In 2007, he played Wilbur Turnblad in the London musical Hairspray.
Personal Life
Mel Smith was married to Pamela Gay-Rees, who used to be a model. They had homes in London and Oxfordshire, and also a property in Barbados.
Later Years and Passing
Mel Smith passed away on July 19, 2013, at his home in London. He was 60 years old. A medical examination later confirmed that he died from a heart attack.
TV and Film Work
Mel Smith was involved in many TV shows and films throughout his career.
TV Shows
As a Performer
- 1979–1982 Not the Nine O'Clock News
- 1980 Smith and Goody
- 1981 Fundamental Frolics
- 1982–1998 Alas Smith and Jones/Smith and Jones
- 1982 Muck and Brass
- 1984 Weekend in Wallop
- 1984 Minder
- 1984 The Young Ones
- 1985 Live Aid (comedy sketch and intro to rock band Queen)
- 1986 Comedians Do It on Stage
- 1987 The World According to Smith and Jones
- 1987 Filthy Rich & Catflap
- 1987 The Grand Knockout Tournament
- 1987 The Princess Bride (film)
- 1988–1990 Colin's Sandwich
- 1989 Smith and Jones in Small Doses
- 1991 Amnesty International's Big 30
- 1991 Comic Relief
- 1995 The Night of Comic Relief
- 1996 A Gala Comedy Hour (Best of the Prince's Trust)
- 2005 Comic Relief 2005
- 2006 The Smith and Jones Sketchbook
- 2006 The Sittaford Mystery, an episode of Marple
- 2006 Hustle
- 2008 Celebrity Mastermind
- 2010–2011 Rock & Chips (two episode)
- 2012 The Ones: Series 1: The One Griff Rhys Jones
- 2013 Dancing on the Edge
As a Producer
- 2000 Too Much Sun television series, six episodes
- 1995 Tough Target television series, one episode
As a Director
- 1994 Dream On, one episode
As a Writer
- 1979-1982 Not the Nine O'Clock News
- 1980 Smith and Goody
- 1984 Alas Smith and Jones, two episodes
- 1984 Weekend in Wallop
- 1986 Comedians Do It on Stage
- 1991 Amnesty International's Big 30
- 1994 Smith and Jones: One Night Stand
- 1996 A Gala Comedy Hour (Best of the Prince's Trust)
Filmography
As an Actor
- 1980 Bloody Kids as Disco Doorman
- 1980 Babylon as Alan
- 1983 Bullshot as Crouch
- 1983 Slayground as Terry Abbatt
- 1984 Minder as Cyril Ash
- 1985 Restless Natives as Pyle
- 1985 Morons from Outer Space as Bernard
- 1985 National Lampoon's European Vacation as London Hotel Receptionist
- 1987 The Princess Bride as The Albino
- 1988 The Wolves of Willoughby Chase as Mr. Grimshaw
- 1989 Wilt as Inspector Flint
- 1991 Father Christmas as Father Christmas
- 1992 Brain Donors (aka Lame Ducks) as Rocco Melonchek
- 1994 Art Deco Detective
- 1996 Twelfth Night: Or What You Will as Sir Toby Belch
As a Director
- 1989 The Tall Guy
- 1994 Radioland Murders
- 1997 Bean
- 2001 High Heels and Low Lifes
- 2003 Blackball
As an Executive Producer
- 2003 Blackball
As a Writer
- 1985 Morons from Outer Space co-written with Griff Rhys Jones
See also
In Spanish: Mel Smith para niños
