Ben Elton
Acting • Born 1959-05-03
Biography
Already a successful comedian, Ben Elton turned to writing situation comedies during the 1980s and penned BBC classics such as "The Young Ones" (1982), "Black-Adder II" (1986), "Black Adder the Third" (1987), "Blackadder 4" (1989) and during the 1990s "The Thin Blue Line" (1995). He provided lyrics for Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, "The Beautiful Game", which was nominated for Best Musical at the Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards in 2001 (2000 season). His comedy, "Popcorn", performed at the Apollo Theatre, was awarded the 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Comedy of the 1997 season. He and Andrew Lloyd Webber were awarded the 2000 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama) for Best New Musical for "The Beautiful Game", performed at the Cambridge Theatre. Has three children : Bert, Lottie and Fred. Is co-writer of the Queen Musical 'We Will Rock You' with the band itself. He and Richard Curtis were offered the chance to write "Police Academy - The London Beat", but turned it down. Was a host of The Prince's Trust 30th Birthday: Live (2006) (TV).
Filmography
66 credits
When Comedy Changed Forever
Movie • 2006
Self (archive material)
Blackadder: The Lost Pilot
Movie • 2023
Self
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Movie • 1987
Self
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Movie • 1989
Self
Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster
Movie • 2023
Self
Blackadder: A Cunning Story
Movie • 2023
Self - Contributor
Filth!
Movie • 1994
Himself
Ben Elton: Live
Movie • 2022
Self
We Are Most Amused
Movie • 2008
Self
Ben Elton: The Get A Grip Tour Live
Movie • 2007
Himself
Ben Elton: Live
Movie • 1997
Himself
Ben Elton: Very Live
Movie • 1993
Himself
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
Movie • 2012
Self
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
Movie • 2014
Self
Laughs and Larrikins
Movie
Blackadder Rides Again
Movie • 2008
Self
Much Ado About Nothing
Movie • 1993
Verges
The Story of Bean
Movie • 1997
Self
The London Studios: Home of the Stars
Movie • 2018
Self
How The Young Ones Changed Comedy
Movie • 2018
(Archive Footage)
The Comic Relief Utterly Utterly Rude Video Live
Movie • 1986
Self
Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments
Movie • 2008
Self
Is Benny Hill Still Funny?
Movie • 2006
Self
The BRITs at 40
Movie • 2020
Self
All Saints: The Video
Movie • 1998
Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga
Movie • 2008
Self
Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke
Movie • 2025
Self
Bottom Mindless Violence
Movie • 2004
Baz (archive footage)
This Morning
TV • 1988
Self
Alfresco
TV • 1983
Various
The One Show
TV • 2006
Self
The Secret Policeman's Ball
TV • 1976
Self
The Young Ones
TV • 1982
Baz
The Young Ones
TV • 1982
Radio DJ
Get a Grip
TV • 2007
Omnibus Presents Comic Relief
TV • 1986
The Young Ones
TV • 1982
Grange Hill Student
The Young Ones
TV • 1982
Man in Hawk Advert
Stark
TV • 1993
CD
Enough Rope With Andrew Denton
TV • 2003
Saturday Night Clive
TV • 1989
Clive Anderson All Talk
TV • 1996
Self
V Graham Norton
TV • 2002
Self
The Heaven and Earth Show
TV • 1998
There's Nothing to Worry About!
TV • 1982
Various
The Ben Elton Show
TV • 1998
Live from Studio Five
TV • 2009
Self
Angela and Friends
TV • 2009
Have You Been Paying Attention?
TV • 2019
Panellist
Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie
TV • 1990
O.T.T.
TV • 1982
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
TV • 2022
Blackadder
TV • 1983
Anarchist
Going Live!
TV • 1987
Self
Q&A
TV • 2008
Self - Panellist
Question Time
TV • 1979
Self - Panellist
Saturday Live
TV • 1986
Host
Saturday Live
TV • 1986
Filthy Rich & Catflap
TV • 1987
Art Exhibition Guest
The Chris McCausland Show
TV • 2024
Self
French & Saunders
TV • 1987
Guest
Parkinson
TV • 1998
Self
Happy Families
TV • 1985
Roland
The Thin Blue Line
TV • 1995
Homeless Man
Harry Enfield and Chums
TV • 1994
Benny Elton
The Last Laugh
TV • 1990
Self