Paul Whitehouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Whitehouse
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Whitehouse, Waterstones, London, 2023
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Paul Julian Whitehouse
17 May 1958 Stanleytown, Glamorgan, Wales
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| Alma mater | University of East Anglia |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
| Children | 4 |
Paul Julian Whitehouse (born 17 May 1958) is a Welsh actor, writer, and comedian. He is famous for being one of the main stars of the BBC comedy show The Fast Show. He has also worked with comedian Harry Enfield on shows like Harry & Paul and Harry Enfield & Chums.
More recently, he appeared with his friend Bob Mortimer in the popular BBC series Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. Whitehouse has also acted in movies, including voicing characters in Corpse Bride (2005) and Alice in Wonderland (2010). He also appeared in the film The Death of Stalin (2017).
In 2005, other comedians voted him as one of the top 50 comedy acts in a poll called The Comedian's Comedian.
Contents
Early Life and School
Paul Whitehouse was born on May 17, 1958, in Stanleytown, Wales. His father, Harry, worked for the National Coal Board, and his mother, Anita, was a singer with the Welsh National Opera.
When Paul was four, his family moved to Enfield, a part of London. This move helped him discover his talent for copying how other people speak. He said that at his new school, he was quiet for the first four weeks because everyone's accent was so different from his Welsh one.
After a month, he started speaking with a London accent. He became very good at noticing different ways of speaking and could switch between his Welsh and London accents easily. This skill would later help him in his comedy career.
Start of His Career
In 1976, Whitehouse went to the University of East Anglia. There, he became good friends with Charlie Higson. Instead of studying, they spent most of their time playing guitar in their punk rock band, the Right Hand Lovers.
Whitehouse left the university and moved to Hackney in London, where he sometimes worked as a plasterer. When Higson finished his studies, he moved in with Whitehouse. They worked as decorators during the day and performed in a band at night.
One day, they were working on a house where comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie lived. This inspired them to start writing comedy. In a local pub, they met their neighbor, Harry Enfield, who was a performer. When Enfield got a spot on the TV show Saturday Live, he asked Whitehouse and Higson to write for him.
Whitehouse created some of Enfield's most famous characters, like Stavros, a Greek kebab shop owner, and Loadsamoney. This was the beginning of a successful career in comedy for Whitehouse and Higson.
Television and Comedy Shows
The Fast Show
Whitehouse and Higson came up with the idea for a new kind of comedy show with very quick sketches. This became the hit series The Fast Show. It was known for its fast-paced jokes and memorable catchphrases.
Some of Whitehouse's famous characters from the show include:
- Rowley Birkin QC, an old man who mumbles funny stories.
- Unlucky Alf, a man who always has bad luck.
- Ron Manager, a football expert who talks nonsense.
- Ted, a friendly but awkward country gentleman.
Working with Harry Enfield
Whitehouse continued to work with Harry Enfield on many projects. They starred together in the sketch show Harry & Paul. They also created a show called Bellamy's People, which was based on a radio series they had made.
In 2015, to celebrate working together for 25 years, they toured with a live show called An Evening With Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
In 2018, Whitehouse teamed up with his friend and fellow comedian Bob Mortimer for a BBC series called Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. In the show, the two friends travel to beautiful places across the UK to fish.
Both men have had heart problems, so they often talk about life, health, and friendship while they fish. The show became very popular for its gentle humor and heartfelt conversations. Several series have been made, including Christmas specials.
Movies and Theatre
Whitehouse has appeared in many films. He often provides voices for animated characters. He was the voice of the March Hare in Alice in Wonderland and William Van Dort in Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. He also acted alongside Johnny Depp in Finding Neverland.
In 2019, Whitehouse co-wrote a stage musical based on the classic British sitcom Only Fools and Horses. The show, called Only Fools and Horses The Musical, opened in London's Theatre Royal Haymarket. Whitehouse also starred in the musical as the character Grandad.
Personal Life
Paul Whitehouse has four children from different relationships. He is a big fan of the Premier League football team Tottenham Hotspur.
He is married to Mine Conkbayir. Together, they host a podcast called I’m ADHD! No You’re Not!, where they talk about ADHD with different guests.
Selected Film and TV Work
Here are some of Paul Whitehouse's most well-known roles.
Film
- Kevin & Perry Go Large (2000)
- Finding Neverland (2004)
- Corpse Bride (2005) - Voice role
- Alice in Wonderland (2010) - Voice of the March Hare
- The Death of Stalin (2017)
- King of Thieves (2018)
- The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
Television
- Harry Enfield's Television Programme (1990–1992)
- The Fast Show (1994–2014)
- Harry Enfield & Chums (1994–1997)
- Happiness (2001–2003)
- Harry & Paul (2007–2012)
- Bellamy's People (2010)
- Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing (2018–present)
- Harry Potter (2027) - as Argus Filch
