Richard Curtis. Copyright: Comic Relief
Richard Curtis

Richard Curtis

  • 67 years old
  • English
  • Writer, director, producer and executive producer
Richard Curtis. Copyright: Comic Relief

Richard Curtis is a British screenwriter, producer, and film director, the man behind some of the best-loved comedies in British cinema history. His credits include Four Weddings And A Funeral, Notting Hill, Bridget Jones' Diary, Love Actually, and About Time, and in 2011 he also directed the Michael Morpurgo adaptation War Horse for the big screen. He is also known for co-writing the treasured sitcoms Mr. Bean, The Vicar Of Dibley, and Blackadder, and early in his career he authored material for BBC's Not The Nine O'Clock News and ITV's Spitting Image.

Year Production Role
2023 Genie Producer
2023 Genie Writer
2023 Cheltenham Literature Festival Self
2023 Latitude Self
2023 Blackadder: A Cunning Story Self (Archive Material)
2023 Just For Laughs London Self
2023 Blackadder: The Lost Pilot Self
2023 Lenny Henry: One Of A Kind Self
2023 Imagine... French & Saunders: Pointed, Bitchy, Bitter Self
2022 Not-Notting Hill Self
2021 The Reunion: Love Actually Self
2021 Beauty & The Beast: A Pantomime For Comic Relief Executive Producer
2021 The Vicar Of Dibley: Inside Out Self
2021 Happy Birthday Mr Bean Self
2020 Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime For Christmas Executive Producer
2020 Being Bridget Jones Self
2020 The Vicar Of Dibley - The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. Special - Compilation
Executive Producer
2020 The Vicar Of Dibley - The Vicar Of Dibley In Lockdown
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. Special - Compilation
Writer
2020 What's Funny About... - Series 1
  1. E1 - The Vicar Of Dibley
Guest
2020 Miranda: My Such Fun Celebration Self
2019 Hugh Grant: A Life On Screen Self
2019 Lenny Henry's Race Through Comedy
View episodes
  1. E2 - Stand-Up
  2. E3 - Sketch
Self
2019 Yesterday Producer
2019 Yesterday Story
2019 Yesterday Writer
2018 The Russell Howard Hour - Series 2
  1. E13 - Episode Thirteen
Guest
2018 The Museum Of Curiosity - Gallery 12
  1. E5 - Meeting Seventy-Two
Guest
2017 Cunk On... - Comic Relief Special
  1. Comic Relief Special
Self
2016 Walliams & Friend - Series 1
  1. E5 - Miranda Richardson
Writer (Additional Material)
2016 British Sitcom: 60 Years Of Laughing At Ourselves Self
2016 Let's Do It: A Tribute To Victoria Wood Self
2015 Peter Kay: 20 Years Of Funny Self
2015 Talking Pictures: Great British Comedies Self (Archive Material)
2015 The Vicar Of Dibley - Comic Relief 2015 Writer
2015 Roald Dahl's Esio Trot Executive Producer
2015 Roald Dahl's Esio Trot Writer (Adapted By)
2014 Monty Python's Best Bits (Mostly)
  1. E1 - Episode One
Self
2013 Mel Smith: I've Sort Of Done Things Self
2013 About Time Executive Producer
2013 About Time Director
2013 About Time Writer
2013 Frost On Sketch Shows Self
2013 The Vicar Of Dibley - Comic Relief 2013 Writer
2012 John Howard Davies: A Life In Comedy Self
2009 Not Again: Not The Nine O'Clock News Self
2009 Victoria Wood: Seen On TV Self
2009 The Art Of Laughter Self
2008 Blackadder Rides Again Self
2008 Blackadder Exclusive: The Whole Rotten Saga Self
2007 Mr Bean's Holiday Executive Producer
2006 The Vicar Of Dibley - 2006/2007 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - The Handsome Stranger
  2. Special - The Vicar In White
Executive Producer
2006 The Vicar Of Dibley - 2006/2007 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - The Handsome Stranger
  2. Special - The Vicar In White
  3. Special - Wife Swap
Writer
2005 Absolutely Fabulous - White Box
  1. Special - Comic Relief Special
Self
2004 The Vicar Of Dibley - 2004/2005 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - Merry Christmas
  2. Special - Happy New Year
Executive Producer
2004 The Vicar Of Dibley - 2004/2005 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - Merry Christmas
  2. Special - Happy New Year
  3. Special - Antiques Roadshow
Writer
2004 Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason Writer
2004 Britain's Best Sitcom
  1. E1 - The Launch
  2. E2 - Blackadder
  3. E10 - The Vicar Of Dibley
Guest
2003 Love Actually Director
2003 Love Actually Writer
2001 Bridget Jones's Diary Writer
2000 Blackadder - Blackadder Back & Forth Writer
2000 In Conversation With - Series 2
  1. E3 - Richard Curtis
Self
1999 The Vicar Of Dibley - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Autumn
  2. E2 - Winter
  3. E3 - Spring
  4. E4 - Summer
Executive Producer
1999 The Vicar Of Dibley - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Autumn
  2. E2 - Winter
  3. E3 - Spring
  4. E4 - Summer
Writer
1999 Laughter In The House: The Story Of British Sitcom
  1. E3 - Modern Times
Self
1997 The Vicar Of Dibley - Series 2
View episodes
  1. Special - Engagement
  2. E1 - Dibley Live
  3. E2 - Celebrity Vicar
  4. E3 - Love And Marriage
Executive Producer
1997 The Vicar Of Dibley - Series 2
View episodes
  1. Special - Engagement
  2. E1 - Dibley Live
  3. E2 - Celebrity Vicar
  4. E3 - Love And Marriage
Writer
1997 Bean - The Ultimate Disaster Movie Executive Producer
1997 Bean - The Ultimate Disaster Movie Writer
1997 The Vicar Of Dibley - Comic Relief 1997 Writer
1996 The Vicar Of Dibley - 1996 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - The Easter Bunny
  2. Special - The Christmas Lunch Incident
Executive Producer
1996 The Vicar Of Dibley - 1996 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - The Easter Bunny
  2. Special - The Christmas Lunch Incident
Writer
1994 The Vicar Of Dibley - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Arrival
  2. E2 - Songs Of Praise
  3. E3 - Community Spirit
  4. E4 - The Window & The Weather
  5. E5 - Election
  6. E6 - Animals
Executive Producer
1994 The Vicar Of Dibley - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Arrival
  2. E2 - Songs Of Praise
  3. E3 - Community Spirit
  4. E4 - The Window & The Weather
  5. E5 - Election
  6. E6 - Animals
Writer
1994 Four Weddings And A Funeral Executive Producer
1994 Four Weddings And A Funeral Writer
1993 Chef! - Series 1
  1. E6 - Rice And Peas
Special Thanks
1992 Rowan Atkinson Live Writer
1991 Bernard And The Genie Writer
1990 French And Saunders - Series 3
  1. E7 - Episode Seven
Writer (Additional Material)
1990 Mr. Bean
  1. E9 - Do-It-Yourself Mr. Bean
  2. E11 - Back To School Mr. Bean
Script Editor
1990 Mr. Bean
  1. E8 - Mr. Bean In Room 426
  2. E10 - Mind The Baby, Mr. Bean
  3. E14 - Hair By Mr. Bean Of London
Writer (Additional Material)
1990 Mr. Bean
View episodes
  1. E1 - Mr. Bean
  2. E2 - The Return Of Mr. Bean
  3. E3 - The Curse Of Mr. Bean
  4. E4 - Mr. Bean Goes To Town
  5. E5 - The Trouble With Mr. Bean
  6. E6 - Mr. Bean Rides Again
  7. E7 - Merry Christmas Mr Bean
  8. Special - Funeral
Writer
1989 The Tall Guy Writer
1989 Blackadder - Blackadder Goes Forth
View episodes
  1. E1 - Captain Cook
  2. E2 - Corporal Punishment
  3. E3 - Major Star
  4. E4 - Private Plane
  5. E5 - General Hospital
  6. E6 - Goodbyeee
Writer
1988 Blackadder - 1988 Specials
View episodes
  1. Special - The Cavalier Years
  2. Special - Blackadder's Christmas Carol
Writer
1988 Comic Relief Creator
1988 Comic Relief Executive Producer
1988 Comic Relief
  1. E17 - Comic Relief 2019
Self
1987 Blackadder - Black Adder The Third
View episodes
  1. E1 - Dish And Dishonesty
  2. E2 - Ink And Incapability
  3. E3 - Nob And Nobility
  4. E4 - Sense And Senility
  5. E5 - Amy And Amiability
  6. E6 - Duel And Duality
Writer
1987 The New Statesman - Series 1
  1. Special - Alan B'Stard Closes Down The BBC
Producer
1986 Spitting Image - Series 4
  1. E6 - Episode Six
Writer (Additional Material)
1986 Blackadder - Blackadder II
View episodes
  1. E1 - Bells
  2. E2 - Head
  3. E3 - Potato
  4. E4 - Money
  5. E5 - Beer
  6. E6 - Chains
Writer
1986 Spitting Image - Series 3
  1. E4 - Episode Four
Writer (Additional Material)
1985 The Lenny Henry Show - Series 2
  1. E5 - Episode Five
Composer
1985 Spitting Image - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E4 - Episode Four
Writer
1984 Spitting Image - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
  7. E7 - Episode Seven
  8. E8 - Episode Eight
  9. E9 - Episode Nine
  10. E12 - Episode Twelve
  11. Special - The Very Beast Of Spitting Image
Writer
1983 Dead On Time Writer
1983 Blackadder - The Black Adder
View episodes
  1. E1 - The Foretelling
  2. E4 - The Queen Of Spain's Beard
  3. E3 - The Archbishop
  4. E2 - Born To Be King
  5. E5 - Witchsmeller Pursuivant
  6. E6 - The Black Seal
Writer
1982 Not The Nine O'Clock News - Series 4
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Writer
1981 Radio Active - Series 1 Writer
1980 Not The Nine O'Clock News - Series 3 (as Curtis & Bell)
  1. E7 - Episode Seven
Writer
1980 Not The Nine O'Clock News - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
  7. E8 - Episode Eight
Writer
1980 Radio Active - The Oxford Revue Presents Radio Active
  1. The Oxford Revue Presents Radio Active
Composer
1980 Radio Active - The Oxford Revue Presents Radio Active Writer
1980 Not The Nine O'Clock News - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
  7. E7 - Episode Seven
Writer
1979 Not The Nine O'Clock News - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Writer
1979 The Atkinson People Writer
1978 Week Ending - Series 27
  1. E4 - Episode Four
Writer

Non-comedy TV and film credits may be found here:
Richard Curtis on IMDb

Born
Thursday 8th November 1956 (67 years-old)
Nationality
English

Born in New Zealand of Australian parents, and raised in several continents across the globe, Richard Curtis was educated at Harrow and Oxford, where he was awarded a first-class BA in English Language and Litreature. It was here that he met and began a fruitful collaboration with Rowan Atkinson, after they both joined the scriptwriting team of the Etceteras revue, part of the Experimental Theatre Club. Shortly after graduating, he began writing, together with Atkinson, on TV's Not The Nine O'Clock News, co-creating many of the show's famous songs with composer Howard Goodall. In 1984 and 1985, he contributed material for ITV's satirical puppet show Spitting Image.

Atkinson and Curtis co-wrote the well-loved Blackadder from 1983 to 1989, and although Atkinson played the lead, Curtis is credited as having written every single episode. After the success of this show, they turned their attention to another comedy series, creating Mr. Bean, which ran from 1990 to 1995. In 1994 he also created and co-wrote The Vicar of Dibley for comedian Dawn French.

By now Curtis had begun writing feature films, releasing The Tall Guy in 1989, the TV movie Bernard And The Genie in 1991, and Four Weddings And A Funeral in 1994. The latter would become the highest-grossing British film in history at that time, turning Hugh Grant into an international superstar. Later came romantic comedies Notting Hill, Bridget Jones's Diary (and its 2004 sequel), and Love Actually, cementing Richard Curtis's place in the upper echelons of British romcom royalty.

Next he would co-write, with Anthony Minghella, an adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith's novel The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, premiering on the BBC in 2008, following this up with the feature film The Boat That Rocked, set in 1966 in the era of British pirate radio and based around a radio station run from a boat in the North Sea. Despite a stellar cast including Bill Nighy and Nick Frost, the film was a critical and commercial flop. After making the feature film War Horse, Curtis made two more romantic comedies: About Time, a story about time travel and family love featuring British actors Bill Nighy and Domhnall Gleeson, and Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle, which imagines a world in which the Beatles had never existed.

The winner of an Emmy for the made-for-television drama The Girl In The Café and a BAFTA for Academy Fellowship, Richard Curtis is responsible for some of the most cherished comedies in modern British history.

BAFTA Television Awards 2007
BAFTA Fellowship (Winner)
RTS Awards 2007
Judges' Award (Winner)
Primetime Emmy Awards 2006
Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie, or Dramatic Special (Winner)
BAFTA Film Awards 2004
Outstanding British Film (Nominee)
Golden Globe Awards 2004
Best Screenplay (Nominee)
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards 2004
Worst Screenplay (Nominee)
London Critics' Circle Film Awards 2004
British Screenwriter Of The Year (Nominee)
British Newcomer of the Year (Nominee)
BAFTA Film Awards 2002
Best Adapted Screenplay (Nominee)
London Critics' Circle Film Awards 2002
British Screenwriter Of The Year (Winner)
British Independent Film Awards 2001
Variety Award (Winner)
BAFTA Television Awards 1999
Best Comedy (Nominee)
Special Award (Winner)
British Comedy Awards 1999
Best Writing (Winner)
BAFTA Television Awards 1998
Best Comedy (Nominee)
BAFTA Film Awards 1995
Best Original Screenplay (Nominee)
Academy Awards (Oscars) 1995
Best Original Screenplay (Nominee)
Golden Globe Awards 1995
Best Screenplay (Nominee)
London Critics' Circle Film Awards 1995
British Screenwriter Of The Year (Winner)
British Comedy Awards 1993
Best Writing (Winner)
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 1993
Best Screenplay (Winner)
BAFTA Television Awards 1992
Best Comedy (Nominee)
BAFTA Television Awards 1990
Best Comedy (Winner)

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