James Dreyfus

Infobox actor


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birthdate = birth date and age|1968|10|9
birthplace = London
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yearsactive = 1993 – Present
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James Dreyfus (born 9 October 1968) is an award-winning English actor.

Early life and career

Born in London, his parents divorced when he was very young.Fletcher, Mary, "Why life's looking Goody for James", TV Times, pg 31.] His mother was an Egyptian fashion model and Dreyfus spent some years touring around the world with her. Following an education at the English public school Harrow, he trained at RADA. [cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/film_and_tv/s/1028535_double_trouble_for_james
title=Double trouble for James|publisher=Manchester Evening News|accessdate=2008-04-06|last=Wylie|first=Ian] .

In 1998 Dreyfus won the Best Supporting Performance in a Musical Olivier Award for his work in "The Lady In The Dark" at the National Theatre. In the same year he was nominated for the Ian Charleson Award for his performance as Cassius in Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" at the Birmingham Rep.

Comedy work

Dreyfus has created some memorable comedy characters, particularly on British television, including Constable Kevin Goody in Ben Elton's sitcom "The Thin Blue Line" and Tom Farrell, the homosexual flatmate of Linda (Kathy Burke) in "Gimme Gimme Gimme". More recently, Dreyfus played opposite Bette Midler in the short-lived American sitcom "Bette".

In November 2004, Dreyfus played Carmen Ghia in the London premiere of Mel Brooks' musical "The Producers", at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. He played the role for 10 months until August 2005.

He played as Thermoman in the BBC One comedy "My Hero", a role he took over in the sixth series from Ardal O'Hanlon. Although the same character, he used the name George Monday, as opposed to Ardal O'Hanlon's character's name, George Sunday. After disappointing ratings following his appointment, the show was axed from the BBC's schedule. Dreyfus also starred as Mr. Teasy-Weasy in the 2004 comedy film .

In March 2006, he returned to the West End stage in a revival of Michael Frayn's comedy "Donkeys' Years" at the Comedy Theatre alongside Samantha Bond, David Haig and Mark Addy. He left in August of that year to prepare for his new lead role as the Emcee in a West End revival of "Cabaret". In 2008 he appeared in revival of Simon Gray's "The Common Pursuit" at the Menier Chocolate Factory..

Selected filmography

simple timeline|event-title=Film or Series
1995|Greg in imdb title|0111413|Thin Ice
1995-1996|Constable Kevin Goody in "The Thin Blue Line"
1995-1996|Christopher in "Absolutely Fabulous"
1996|Paul in "Boyfriends"
1999|Martin in "Notting Hill"
1999-2001|Tom Farrell in "Gimme Gimme Gimme"
2000|Professor Fluke in "Gormenghast"
2000|Oscar in "Bette"
2004|Fidor in "Fat Slags"
2004|Gordon in ""
2005|Voice artist in the revamped "Willo the Wisp"
2006|George Monday/Thermoman in "My Hero (TV series)"
2006|Melvyn Prescott in "Colour Me Kubrick"
2007|Emcee in "Cabaret"
2007|Lawrence Nixon/George McCabe in "Double Time"
2007-|Voice of Felix in "Nina and the Neurons"

Footnotes

External links

*imdb name|id=0237834|name=James Dreyfus