Richard Ayoade

Richard Ayoade
Name	Richard Ayoade
Caption	Ayoade in 2013
Birth date	12 June 1977
Birth place	Whipps Cross University Hospital, Leytonstone, London, England
Alma mater	St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Occupation	Comedian, actor, writer, director, television presenter
Years active	2000–present
Spouse	Lydia Fox, 2007

Richard Ayoade is a British comedian, actor, writer, director, and television presenter, known for his distinctive deadpan style and intellectual wit. He first gained widespread recognition for his role as the socially awkward IT technician Maurice Moss in the cult Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd. Ayoade has since established a multifaceted career, directing acclaimed films such as Submarine and The Double, and serving as a presenter on shows like The Crystal Maze and Travel Man.

Early life and education

Richard Ellef Ayoade was born at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Leytonstone, London, to a Norwegian mother and a Nigerian father. He was raised in Ipswich, Suffolk, where he attended Ipswich School, an independent institution. Ayoade developed an early interest in performing, participating in school plays and later studying Law at St Catharine's College, Cambridge. At the University of Cambridge, he became heavily involved with the prestigious Footlights comedy club, where he collaborated with future peers like John Oliver and met his frequent writing partner Matthew Holness.

Career

Ayoade's early career was rooted in television comedy, beginning with writing and performing on the Channel 4 sketch show The Adam and Joe Show. His breakthrough came with the British Comedy Award-winning ''Garth Marenghi's Darkplace'', a parody of 1980s horror television, where he co-wrote, directed, and played the role of Dean Learner. This led to his iconic portrayal of Maurice Moss in Graham Linehan's sitcom The IT Crowd, for which he won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Male Comedy Performance. He expanded into film direction with the coming-of-age drama Submarine, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, and later directed the Dostoevsky-inspired ''The Double'' starring Jesse Eisenberg. As a presenter, he revived the game show The Crystal Maze for Channel 4 and fronts the travel series Travel Man for Channel 4, interviewing celebrities like Paul Rudd and Adam Scott. He has also provided voice work for animated series such as The Mandalorian and authored books on film.

Personal life

Ayoade married actress and singer Lydia Fox, a member of the Fox acting family, in 2007. The couple have three children and maintain a notably private life, residing in East London. He is known for his guarded approach to interviews, often deflecting personal questions with humor. His sister is the fashion and portrait photographer Lydia Ayoade.

Filmography

Ayoade's filmography highlights his range as a director, actor, and voice artist. His directorial features include Submarine (2010) and The Double (2013). Notable acting roles feature Maurice Moss in The IT Crowd (2006–2013), a cameo in ''The Mighty Boosh'', and performances in films like The Watch and Paddington 2. His voice work encompasses characters in Soul, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, and the series Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

Awards and nominations

Throughout his career, Ayoade has received significant recognition, including a BAFTA TV Award for his performance in The IT Crowd. He has been nominated for multiple British Comedy Awards and won the Dublin Film Critics' Circle award for Best Director for Submarine. His work on Travel Man earned him a nomination for a Royal Television Society Award.

Bibliography

Ayoade has authored several books that reflect his deep cinephilia and analytical style. These include Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey (2014), a parody of film director interviews, The Grip of Film (2017), and Ayoade on Top (2019), a critical celebration of the film View from the Top. His writing is published by Faber and Faber.

Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:British comedians Category:English film directors Category:Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge