Simon Pegg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Simon Pegg
Pegg in 2024
Born	Simon John Beckingham (1970-02-14) 14 February 1970 (age 56) Brockworth, Gloucestershire, England
Alma mater	University of Bristol
Occupation	Actor comedian screenwriter producer
Years active	1995–present
Spouse(s)	Maureen McCann ​ ​ (m. 2005)​
Children	1

Simon John Pegg (born 14 February 1970) is a talented English actor, comedian, and screenwriter. He became well-known in the UK for co-creating the TV show Spaced (1999–2001) with Edgar Wright. Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright also worked together to write and create the popular films Shaun of the Dead (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007), and The World's End (2013). These three movies are often called the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. In these films, Edgar Wright directed, and Simon Pegg starred alongside his friend Nick Frost. Pegg and Frost also wrote and starred in the fun sci-fi comedy film Paul (2011).

Simon Pegg has achieved something very special for fans of sci-fi and fantasy. He has played popular characters in three major franchises: Doctor Who (2005), Star Trek as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott (2009–2016), and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). He also played Benji Dunn in six Mission: Impossible films. His journey in that series started with Mission: Impossible III (2006) and concluded with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025). Additionally, he has lent his voice to the character Buck in the animated Ice Age film series since 2009.

Simon Pegg's Early Life and Education

Simon John Pegg was born Simon John Beckingham on 14 February 1970 in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, England. His mother, Gillian Rosemary, was a civil servant, and his father, John Henry Beckingham, was a jazz musician. When Simon was seven, his parents divorced. He later took his stepfather's last name, Pegg, after his mother remarried. His brother, Mike, still uses the surname Beckingham. Simon attended Castle Hill Primary School, Brockworth Comprehensive Secondary School, and The King's School, Gloucester.

At 16, Simon moved to Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. There, he studied English literature and theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon College. He then went on to the University of Bristol, graduating in 1991. He earned a degree in theatre, film, and television. During his time at university, he was part of a comedy group called "David Icke and the Orphans of Jesus."

Simon once shared his thoughts on his career path:

"When I graduated from university where I studied theater, film and television, I went into stand-up because comedy was something I enjoyed but also because it offered me a certain autonomy that I wouldn't have if I was sitting and waiting for the phone to ring as an actor. Then, I drifted into comedy acting through doing stand-up, and that was something that I really enjoyed. But, it wasn't the only thing I ever wanted to do. There was a time when I was younger where I just wanted to be at The Royal Shakespeare Theatre."

Simon Pegg's Acting Career

Pegg in New York City, July 2008

Simon Pegg started his career with appearances in various TV shows. These included Six Pairs of Pants (1995), Asylum, Faith in the Future, Big Train, and Hippies. He also appeared in the World War II mini-series Band of Brothers. Other TV comedies he was in include Black Books, Brass Eye, and I'm Alan Partridge.

Creating Spaced and the Cornetto Trilogy

In 1999, Simon Pegg co-created and co-wrote the Channel 4 sitcom Spaced with Jessica Stevenson. Edgar Wright directed the series. Pegg specifically wrote the character of Mike Watt for his good friend Nick Frost. For his work in Spaced, Pegg was nominated for a British Comedy Award.

The fun of making a zombie scene in Spaced inspired Pegg and Wright to write Shaun of the Dead. This "romantic zombie comedy" film was released in April 2004. Pegg also starred in it. Later, Pegg and Wright even made small appearances in George A. Romero's zombie film, Land of the Dead.

Pegg at a premiere for Star Trek in April 2009

Pegg and Wright continued their collaboration with Hot Fuzz, released in February 2007. This film is a police-action comedy where Pegg plays Nicholas Angel, a London policeman. He is transferred to a quiet village where strange things begin to happen. Nick Frost also stars in this movie.

Their third film together, The World's End, completed the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy in 2013. These three films are known for their unique blend of comedy and action.

Famous Roles in Major Film Series

Simon Pegg has become a familiar face in many big movie franchises. He played Benji Dunn, an agent who helps Tom Cruise's character, Ethan Hunt, in the Mission: Impossible films. He first appeared in Mission: Impossible III (2006) and continued in Ghost Protocol (2011), Rogue Nation (2015), Fallout (2018), Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), and The Final Reckoning (2025).

He also took on the role of engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the Star Trek film series. He appeared in Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), and Star Trek Beyond (2016), which he also helped to write.

In 2015, Pegg appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as Unkar Plutt, a junk dealer on the planet Jakku. He also voiced the heroic mouse Reepicheep in Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader. For younger audiences, he is known as the voice of Buck in the Ice Age film series. More recently, he voiced Professor Phineas Nigellus Black in the 2023 video game Hogwarts Legacy.

Edgar Wright, Pegg and Nick Frost (pictured in 2013) collaborated on the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy of British comedy films between 2004 and 2013

Other Film and TV Projects

In 2006, Simon Pegg played Gus in Big Nothing alongside David Schwimmer. He also starred in The Good Night (2007) and Run Fatboy Run, directed by David Schwimmer. Pegg co-wrote the script for the film Paul, which is about two young men who meet a funny alien on a road trip. The film was released in 2011.

In 2005, Pegg appeared in the Doctor Who television series as the Editor in the episode "The Long Game". He also narrated the first series of the documentary Doctor Who Confidential. In July 2014, Pegg joined Monty Python on stage during their live show Monty Python Live (Mostly) in London. In May 2023, he was interviewed by Lauren Laverne on the long-running BBC radio show Desert Island Discs.

Simon's Views and Activism

Simon Pegg uses his voice to support causes he believes in.

Supporting Equality

In 2014, Simon Pegg announced his support for HeForShe. This is a feminist campaign that encourages men and boys to be allies for gender equality.

Thoughts on Society and the Environment

In 2016, Simon Pegg shared his thoughts on politics and the EU. He expressed respect for Jeremy Corbyn and believed in the ideas of the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign. In 2020, he signed an open letter. This letter called for wealthier people in society to pay more tax. The goal was to help fight inequality and create a fairer society.

Since 2021, Pegg has been an active supporter of Greenpeace. He has protested against overfishing and supported their campaigns to protect our oceans and planet.

Simon's Personal Life

Simon Pegg is an atheist and has a unique eye condition called sectoral heterochromia. This means parts of the iris in one of his eyes are a different color.

Family and Friends

Simon Pegg married Maureen McCann, a publicist in the music industry, on 23 July 2005 in Glasgow. They live in Essendon, Hertfordshire. The couple welcomed their child in 2009. His close friend and frequent co-star, Nick Frost, was the best man at his wedding.

Pegg is also good friends with Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin. He even appeared as an Elvis impersonator in Coldplay's 2010 music video for "Christmas Lights". Simon Pegg is a godfather to Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's daughter, Apple. In return, Chris Martin is a godfather to Simon Pegg's daughter. Pegg has mentioned that his daughter has even sung backing vocals for Coldplay on stage at the Glastonbury Festival. Simon Pegg is also a godfather to the son of his actor friend, Martin Freeman. His parents and sister made brief appearances in Spaced, and his mother appeared in both Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.

Filmography

Awards and Recognition

Special Honours

On 4 December 2008, Simon Pegg was awarded an honorary fellowship by the University of Gloucestershire. This is a special recognition of his achievements.

See also

In Spanish: Simon Pegg para niños