Jimmy Carr

Famed for his award-winning stand-up and TV presenting roles, comedian Jimmy Carr celebrates an illustrious career spanning more than two decades.

Born in 1972, full name James Anthony Patrick Carr, Jimmy turned to comedy in 2000 following acceptance of voluntary redundancy from his marketing role. Boasting a strong education, including graduating with first class honours from the prestigious University of Cambridge, Carr turned his attention to stand-up, cementing his characteristic blend of dark and intelligent humour. His first paid gig took place after just one unpaid venture a month prior.

Two years later, Carr secured a nomination for the coveted Perrier Award at Edinburgh Festival Fringe for his aptly titled Bare Faced Ambition show. In 2003 he returned to the Scottish capital for a sold-out month-long run, presenting his Charm Offensive show. By the end of the decade, Carr had secured the British Comedy Award for Best Live Stand Up, been declared by The Observer as one of Britain’s funniest acts, and came 12th in a readers poll of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups. His touring schedule proved equally as prolific, regularly performing across the UK and garnering attention that would launch his concurrent TV career.

8 Out Of 10 Cats

Jimmy Carr began presenting Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats in 2005, as well as its popular spin-off 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown in 2012. He also sat at the helm of Channel 4’s annual Big Fat Quiz Of The Year for over a decade. Other TV hosting duties have included acclaimed quiz shows Distraction and Your Face Or Mine?, as well as Comedy Central’s Roast Battle. Carr has also made special guest appearances on Have I Got News For You, Top Gear and The Last Leg, as well as competing on a number of celebrity quiz shows including Tipping Point, The Chase and Deal Or No Deal.

In 2016, Carr claimed the honour of becoming the first UK stand-up comedian to record a Netflix special. Filmed at London’s Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, Funny Business was released on the streaming service that same year. Carr followed this up with his second special, The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits in 2019 – recorded at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre.

In 2019, Jimmy Carr launched his Terribly Funny tour, running throughout 2021 and into 2022. Described by The Guardian as “a comedy hero for our time”, Carr promised a show filled with jokes about the terrible things that might have affected his audience or their friends. “But they’re just jokes,” the press release read. “Nothing more than wonderful, funny, joyful tricks, constructed from language.”