Jonathan Lynn

Jonathan Lynn (born 3 April 1943) is an English actor, comedy writer, and director. He is best known as the co-writer of Yes Minister.

Career

Personal life

Born in Bath, England, Lynn was educated at Kingswood School, Bath (1954–1961) after which he studied Law at Pembroke College, Cambridge (where his uncle, Israeli statesman Abba Eban studied also), where he participated in the Cambridge University Footlights Club revue " Cambridge Circus" (appearing with the revue on Broadway and on The Ed Sullivan Show, in 1964).

Career

From the late 1960s, Jonathan Lynn was appearing in and writing television sitcoms, including the television comedy series "Twice a Fortnight" with Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Tony Buffery.

He also had a regular role as an Irish medical student named "Danny Hooley" in the television comedy series "Doctor in the House" (Jonathan Lynn returned as "Danny Hooley", for one episode of "Doctor in Charge", "Should Auld Acquaintance be Forgot?", after "Hooley" had been working as a doctor). He also wrote some of the episodes for the series (for "Doctor at Large", "Doctor in Charge", "Doctor at Sea" and "Doctor on the Go").

As an actor, his most memorable role was as Beryl's boyfriend Robert in early series of "The Liver Birds".

As a writer

As a writer, he worked on "On the Buses" and wrote for Harry Worth before hitting the big time, in partnership with Antony Jay, as writer of the "Yes Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister" series.

* "Clue"
* "Nuns on the Run" (as co-writer)

As a director

He has directed films including:
* "Clue"
* "Nuns on the Run"
* "My Cousin Vinny"
* "The Distinguished Gentleman"
* "Sgt. Bilko"
* "The Whole Nine Yards".

In 2008 it was announced that Lynn was to direct the 2009 comedy film, Wild Target. It was set to star Bill Nighy, Helena Bonham Carter and Rupert Grint in title roles, but after Bonham Carter dropped out because of filming conflicts, Emily Blunt took over her role. Since then new cast members such as Eileen Atkins and Rupert Everett have joined the all star cast, and the film is now due to be released in March of 2009.

Further reading

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External links

* [http://www.jonathanlynn.com/ Official website]
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