Paul Whitehouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul Whitehouse
Whitehouse, Waterstones, London, 2023
Born	Paul Julian Whitehouse 20 May 1958 Stanleytown, Glamorgan, Wales
Alma mater	University of East Anglia
Occupation	Actor, comedian, screenwriter, television producer, presenter
Years active	1987–present
Children	4

Paul Julian Whitehouse (born 20 May 1958) is a famous Welsh actor, writer, and comedian. He is well-known for his funny characters and shows. Paul was a main star in the BBC sketch comedy series The Fast Show. He also worked a lot with Harry Enfield on shows like Harry & Paul.

Later, he teamed up with Bob Mortimer for the popular BBC series Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. Paul has also appeared in movies. These include Corpse Bride (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and The Death of Stalin (2017). Many comedians think he is one of the best comedy acts.

Paul Whitehouse: Early Life and Start in Comedy

Paul Whitehouse was born on 20 May 1958, in Stanleytown, a place in Glamorgan, Wales. His father, Harry, worked for the National Coal Board. His mother, Anita, was a singer with the Welsh National Opera.

Becoming a Comedian

Paul went to the University of East Anglia in 1976. There, he met Charlie Higson. They spent most of their first year playing guitar in their punk rock band. Paul later left university and worked as a plasterer in London.

After Charlie graduated, he moved in with Paul. They worked as decorators during the day. At night, they performed with Charlie's new band.

One day, they were working on a house shared by comedians Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. This inspired Paul and Charlie to start writing comedy. They later met Harry Enfield in a pub. Harry was a comedian with his own stage act.

Harry got a spot on a TV show called Saturday Live. He invited Paul and Charlie to write jokes for him. Paul created Harry's famous characters. These included Stavros, a Greek kebab shop owner. He also created Loadsamoney, a rich Essex boy. Paul even appeared on the show as Harry's helper, Lance.

This success changed Paul and Charlie's careers. They started appearing on other shows. Paul was on Vic Reeves Big Night Out and A Bit of Fry and Laurie. He also joined Harry Enfield's Television Programme. Here, he created many characters, like DJ Mike Smash.

Famous TV Shows

Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson came up with a fast-paced comedy show. This show became The Fast Show. It was also called Brilliant in the United States. Paul played many memorable characters in this show. Some of them were Rowley Birkin QC, Unlucky Alf, and Ron Manager.

In 2011, The Fast Show returned for an online series. They made six new episodes.

Paul also wrote and starred in other BBC comedy dramas. In 2001, he co-wrote Happiness. He played a voice-over actor going through a tough time. In 2005, he wrote and appeared in Help. In this show, he played 25 different patients seeing a psychotherapist.

He continued to work with Harry Enfield on the sketch series Harry & Paul. Paul also starred with Charlie Higson in the BBC2 comedy Bellamy's People. This show came from their radio program Down the Line.

In 2015, his sitcom Nurse started on BBC2. It was based on his Radio 4 series.

Gone Fishing with Bob Mortimer

In 2018, Paul started a new series with his friend Bob Mortimer. It was called Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. In this show, the two friends go fishing around the UK. They both have heart conditions. They share their thoughts and funny stories while enjoying nature. The show became very popular. They have made several series and even Christmas specials.

Paul Whitehouse in 2017

On the Radio

Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson created a funny phone-in show. It was called Down the Line on BBC Radio 4. It first aired in 2006. The show was very successful. They even won a Sony Radio Academy Award for it. They made five series of the show.

In 2014, Radio 4 broadcast Nurse. Paul wrote this show with David Cummings. Paul played many characters in it. This radio show later became the TV series Nurse.

On Stage

Paul Whitehouse helped write Only Fools and Horses The Musical. This musical is based on the famous TV show. It started in London in 2019. Paul also stars in the musical. He plays the character of Grandad.

Movies and Voice Acting

Paul Whitehouse has appeared in many films. He often works with actor Johnny Depp. They have been in five movies together. These include Finding Neverland and Corpse Bride. He also voiced characters in Alice in Wonderland and its sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass.

He also had roles in The Death of Stalin (2017) and King of Thieves (2018). Paul has also done voice work for animated films. He was the voice of Otis in Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva. He also voiced the March Hare in the Alice in Wonderland movies.

Filmography

Television Appearances

His Life Outside Work

Paul Whitehouse married Fiona Wightman in 1992. They had two daughters, Molly and Sophie. They later separated in 2000. Paul also has a third daughter, Lauren, from another relationship.

He is now married to Dr Mine Conkbayir. They have one daughter, Delilah. Paul is a big fan of the Premier League football team Tottenham Hotspur.

Awards and Achievements

Paul Whitehouse has won many awards for his comedy work. He has been recognized for his writing and performances.