Richard Fleeshman

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Richard Fleeshman
Richard Fleeshman performing, 2008 1 cropped.jpg
Fleeshman in 2008
Born
Richard Jonathan Fleeshman

(1989-06-08) 8 June 1989 (age 35)
Manchester, England
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active2002–present
Parent(s) Sue Jenkins
David Fleeshman
Relatives Emily Fleeshman (sister)
Rosie Fleeshman (sister)

Richard Jonathan Fleeshman (born 8 June 1989) is an English actor and singer. His career began at age 12 playing Craig Harris on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2002 to 2006. He went on to become an established West End and Broadway performer, starring in shows such as Legally Blonde (2010) and Ghost (2011–2012). He appeared in the recurring role of Ken on Netflix's The Sandman in 2022, and has played Lt. James Brice on Syfy's The Ark since 2023. His debut solo album, Neon , was released in 2007.

Contents

Early and personal life

Fleeshman was born on 8 June 1989 in Manchester. He is the son of former Brookside and Coronation Street actress Sue Jenkins and actor/director David Fleeshman. [1] He attended Cheadle Hulme School in Cheshire and Wilmslow High School sixth form. He has two sisters, Emily Fleeshman and Rosie Fleeshman who are also actresses. His father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, [2]

In 2019, Fleeshman announced via his Instagram account that he is now a vegetarian and had been meat-free for over two years at that point, having "never felt better ethically or physically".

In August 2024, Fleeshman announced via his Instagram account that he and his girlfriend, Celinde Shoenmaker were expecting their first child. [3]

Acting career

Fleeshman began his professional career in the film called An Angel for May. Starting at age 12, and continuing from 2002 to 2006, he played the role of Craig Harris in Coronation Street . He was the only member of his on-screen family to escape the axe in 2005, leaving the programme at the age of 16. His final episode was broadcast on 16 October 2006. Fleeshman later filmed an episode of Blue Murder in 2007 in which he played the character Ben Holroyd, starring alongside Jill Halfpenny. The episode, called "Crisis Management", was broadcast in December 2007 on ITV. He played the role of Gillen in the ITV comedy drama Monday Monday , which aired on 10 August 2009.

On 16 June 2010, Fleeshman joined the company of Legally Blonde in London, taking over from Duncan James in the role of Warner. In 2009, he played the role of a musically talented autistic boy named Kyle Caddick in a six-part BBC drama series All the Small Things allowing him to act as well as sing. Within the series he performed many songs, both solo and as part of a choir, and also sang the song that runs over the end credits. He co-wrote the song with Sir Elton John and the show's creator Debbie Horsfield. His father, actor David Fleeshman, played the role of Gilbert in the same series. All the Small Things was screened in Australia under the title of Heart and Soul.

Fleeshman starred in the West End production of Ghost: The Musical , based on the film Ghost , written by Bruce Joel Rubin, with music and lyrics by Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard). He played the lead role of Sam Wheat (played by Patrick Swayze in the film) alongside Caissie Levy as Molly and Sharon D. Clarke as Oda Mae Brown. The show premiered at the Opera House, Manchester on 28 March 2011 and moved to the Piccadilly Theatre on 22 June 2011. [4] When Fleeshman was offered the role in its Broadway transfer, he left the show in the West End with co star Caissie Levy on 12 January 2012 to star in the Broadway production. It began previews on 15 March 2012 at the Lunt Fontanne Theater and officially opened on 23 April 2012. Richard was invited to perform at the 2012 Tony Awards. Fleeshman and Levy remained in the Broadway Production until its final performance on 18 August 2012.

In 2013, Fleeshman starred as Bobby Strong in the UK premiere of the hit satirical musical, Urinetown , directed by Jamie Lloyd, at the St James Theatre. [5] He then went on to film Call the Midwife for the BBC which was broadcast early February 2015. [6] His next musical project was playing the role of George Bevan, in A Damsel in Distress , a musical adaption of the novel A Damsel in Distress , at the Chichester Festival Theatre beginning on 30 May 2015. [7]

In 2017, Fleeshman played Francis Drake in two episodes of the CW series Reign .

In 2018, Fleeshman took on the role of Gideon Fletcher in Sting's musical The Last Ship . He received rave reviews for his performance.

In 2018, Fleeshman took on the role of Air-Steward 'Andy' in the West-End gender swapped revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company, directed by Marianne Elliot. For this role, he was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical. In 2022, Richard guest starred in CHIVALRY for Channel 4 and played the role of KEN in The Sandman. ( Netflix) In 2023, he had a leading role in the TV series The Ark on Syfy. [8] Richard is playing Walter in the Uk premiere Marjorie Prime at The Menier Theatre in London.

In August 2024, he played William Shakespeare in a West End concert of Something Rotten! at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. [9]

Music career

Fleeshman performing as the supporting act for Elton John at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, July 2008. Richard Fleeshman performing, 2008 2.jpg
Fleeshman performing as the supporting act for Elton John at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, July 2008.

Fleeshman is a singer and songwriter. He plays the piano and guitar. At age 13 in 2003, he became the youngest celebrity contestant to win Stars in Their Eyes . He was also the winner of Soapstar Superstar in 2006, earning £200,000 for his chosen charity, The Kirsty Appeal.

Fleeshman signed a major record deal with Universal in 2007. His debut album was released that same year.

Richard supported Elton John on his Summer stadium tour in 2008. [10] Later that year, he supported him again during his Red Piano concert residency in Las Vegas.

Filmography

Film and television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2002An Angel for MaySchool Team CaptainTelevision film
2002–2006 Coronation Street Craig Harris Regular role (294 episodes)
2006 British Soap Award for Sexiest Male [11]
Nominated—2006 British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress [12]
2003 Stars in Their Eyes Himself / Contestant / Will Young Soapstars special
2006 Soapstar Superstar Himself / ContestantSeries 1 winner
Nominated—2006 National Television Award for Most Popular TV Contender [13]
2007 Blue Murder Ben HolroydEpisode: "Crisis Management"
2009 All the Small Things Kyle CaddickMain role
2009 Monday Monday GillenEpisode 5
2010 Midsomer Murders Benedict MarshEpisode: "Master Class"
2010 Moving On StevenEpisode: "Rules of the Game"
2015 Call the Midwife Tony Amos Series 4, Episode 3
2017 Reign Francis Drake 2 episodes
2019 Four Weddings and a Funeral Garrett Spelt4 episodes
2022Deep HeatNick NitroMain role [14]
2022 The Sandman KenRecurring role
2023–present The Ark Lt. James BriceMain role
2024 Death in Paradise Taylor FieldingSeries 13, Episode 8

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[15]
Neon
  • Released: 26 November 2007
  • Label: UMTV
71

EPs

TitleEP details
Grove Hill
(with Celinde Schoenmaker; credited to Makerman)
  • Released: 1 March 2020
  • Label: Self-released

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[15]
"Coming Down"200778Neon
"Hold Me Close"2008—
"Back Here"—
"Can You Hear Me?"2009—Non-album single
"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.

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References

  1. ↑ "Manchesters Richard Fleeshman". Cheshire Life. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  2. ↑ Thomas, H.; Cowell, J. (2012). An Industrious Minority: A History of the Bolton Jewish Community. Hilary Thomas and John Cowell.
  3. ↑ "Fleeshmans launch actors' academy". 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 1 July 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "RICHARD FLEESHMAN in Ghost The Musical". west end theatre. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "Does New Musical Urinetown Take The Proverbial?". Franco Milazzo for Londonist.com. March 2014.
  6. ↑ "I'm Outta Here! Ghost Sets Broadway Closing Date". Broadway.com. 24 July 2012.
  7. ↑ "Cast announced for A Damsel in Distress musical". whatsonstage.com. Whats On Stage. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  8. ↑ Leonte, Tudor (1 February 2023). "The Ark Interview: Christie Burke, Richard Fleeshman & Reece Ritchie". ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  9. ↑ Something Rotten! In Concert
  10. ↑ "Richard Fleeshman to support Sir Elton John on his UK tour". Daily Mirror. 5 March 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  11. ↑ "EastEnders beats Corrie at awards". BBC News. 21 May 2006. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  12. ↑ "British Soap Awards: The Winners". Sky Showbiz. Sky TV. 22 May 2006. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  13. ↑ Wilkes, Neil; Welsh, James (31 October 2006). "National TV Awards 2006: Full winners list". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  14. ↑ "Deep Heat". itv.com/presscentre. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  15. 1 2 "Richard Fleeshman" (select "ALBUMS" tab to see album chart positions). Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
General

Richard Fleeshman – from Bramhall to Broadway Cheshire Life. June 2012.

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