Ben Elton
Known for: Acting
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
Series
The One Show
Self
2006
Series
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
2022
Series
Question Time
Self - Panellist
1979
Series
Blackadder
Anarchist
1983
Series
Parkinson
Self
1998
Series
Q&A
Self - Panellist
2008
The Heaven and Earth Show
1998
Series
Going Live!
Self
1987
Series
TFI Friday
1996
Series
V Graham Norton
Self
2002
Series
The Young Ones
Baz
1982
Series
The Young Ones
Radio DJ
1982
Series
The Young Ones
Grange Hill Student
1982
Series
The Young Ones
Man in Hawk Advert
1982
Series
French & Saunders
Guest
1987
Series
Have You Been Paying Attention?
Panellist
2019
Series
The Thin Blue Line
Homeless Man
1995
Series
Angela and Friends
2009
Series
The Secret Policeman's Ball
Self
1976
Film
Much Ado About Nothing
Verges
1993
Series
Harry Enfield and Chums
Benny Elton
1994
Series
Saturday Live
Host
1986
Series
Saturday Live
1986
Series
Enough Rope With Andrew Denton
2003
Series
Alfresco
Various
1983
Clive Anderson All Talk
Self
1996
Film
Untold UK: Vinnie Jones
Self - (archive footage)
2026
Series
Filthy Rich & Catflap
Art Exhibition Guest
1987
Saturday Night Clive
1989
Series
Stark
CD
1993
Series
This Morning
Self
1988
Series
Happy Families
Roland
1985
Series
There's Nothing to Worry About!
Various
1982
Film
Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga
Self
2008
Series
O.T.T.
1982
Film
Not Only Fred Dagg But Also John Clarke
Self
2025
Film
There's Only One Paul McCartney
Self
2002
Film
The Story of Bean
Self
1997
Film
Filth!
Himself
1994
Series
The Chris McCausland Show
Self
2024
Series
Live from Studio Five
Self
2009
The Last Laugh
Self
1990
Series
Omnibus Presents Comic Relief
1986
Film
Rik Mayall: Magnificent B'Stard
Self
2026
Film
How The Young Ones Changed Comedy
(Archive Footage)
2018
Film
Blackadder's Most Cunning Moments
Self
2008
Film
The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball
Self
1987
Film
We Are Most Amused
Self
2008
Film
The Secret Policeman’s Biggest Ball
Self
1989
Film
The BRITs at 40
Self
2020
Film
Blackadder: A Cunning Story
Self - Contributor
2023
Film
When Comedy Changed Forever
Self (archive material)
2006
Film
The London Studios: Home of the Stars
Self
2018
Film
Blackadder Rides Again
Self
2008
The Ben Elton Show
1998
Get a Grip
2007
Film
All Saints: The Video
Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
1998
Film
Bottom Mindless Violence
Baz (archive footage)
2004
Series
Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie
1990
Film
Rik Mayall: Lord of Misrule
Self
2014
Film
The Comic Relief Utterly Utterly Rude Video Live
Self
1986
Film
Laughs and Larrikins
Film
Blackadder: The Lost Pilot
Self
2023
Film
Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster
Self
2023
Film
The Many Faces of Ronnie Barker
Self
2012
Film
Ben Elton: Live
Self
2022
Film
Is Benny Hill Still Funny?
Self
2006
Film
Ben Elton: Very Live
Self
1993
Film
Ben Elton: Live
Himself
1997
Film
Ben Elton: The Get A Grip Tour Live
Himself
2007