Julian Barratt | |
---|---|
Born | Julian Barratt Pettifer 4 May 1968 |
Alma mater | University of Reading |
Occupation(s) | Comedian, actor, musician |
Years active | 1995–present |
Partner | Julia Davis |
Children | 2 |
Julian Barratt Pettifer (born 4 May 1968) is an English comedian, actor and musician. As a comedian and comic actor, he is known for his use of surreal humour and black comedy. During the 2000s he was part of The Mighty Boosh comedy troupe alongside comedy partner Noel Fielding.
Born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, Barratt was educated at the University of Reading. With Fielding, he established the Mighty Boosh. Together, they produced a 2001 radio series, The Boosh , for BBC Radio London. This was followed by a television series, The Mighty Boosh , comprising three series for BBC Three from 2004 to 2007. The show generated a cult fan following and won a variety of awards.
Alongside Fielding, he has starred in Unnatural Acts , Nathan Barley and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace . Barratt also co-wrote and starred in the 2017 film Mindhorn . He starred in the Channel 4 black comedy-drama sitcom Flowers.
Barratt was born Julian Barratt Pettifer on 4 May 1968 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. [1] He adopted his middle name as his surname to distinguish himself from reporter Julian Pettifer. [2] He attended the University of Reading. [3]
Barratt stars as the character Howard Moon opposite Noel Fielding's Vince Noir in the comedy series The Mighty Boosh . Howard labels himself a "jazz maverick" and claims to be a multitalented intellectual, calling himself a "man of action", but he is actually unsuccessful in his literary and romantic ventures. He is unpopular with many of the characters, including Mrs. Gideon (who always forgets his name), Bob Fossil (who often uses Howard as a puppet for his bizarre schemes), and Bollo (who often says his name wrongly or ignores him completely). Barratt composed all of the music for the series, which includes a variety of genres such as rap, heavy metal, and psychedelic rock.
Barratt has had parts in other dramas, often alongside his Mighty Boosh partner Noel Fielding. He starred as Dan Ashcroft, a frustrated magazine writer, in the Channel 4 media satire Nathan Barley , and appeared in the surrealistic black comedy series Asylum alongside Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson (who wrote and starred in Spaced ). The character of Brian Topp in Spaced was written for Barratt, but eventually went to Mark Heap. Barratt played Jackson, a musician, in How Not to Live Your Life . He starred in the "Freelance Scientist" commercial for Metz alcopop. [4] He appeared as The Padre in the spoof horror series Garth Marenghi's Darkplace . He also starred in (and was a writer for) the 1998 sketch show Unnatural Acts , alongside Fielding. Before this, Barratt was one half of an experimental comedy duo called "The Pod" with friend Tim Hope, in which they billed themselves as a "Cyberdance Collective". [5] During this time he also appeared in the 2001 film Lucky Break .
Barratt made his directing début for Warp Films with theatre director Dan Jemmett. Curtains is set in a Norfolk seaside town. It is a dark comedy about a Punch and Judy man. In 2012, Barratt directed his first music video, for the song "All of Me" by Tanlines. [6] He can be heard as the voiceover on many adverts, such as More Th>n Car, House and Pet insurance, and the Directgov advert. He appeared in the music video for Mint Royale's "Blue Song", alongside Noel Fielding, Nick Frost, and Michael Smiley. In 2010, Barratt took part in Sky Comedy's Little Crackers . He wrote and directed a 15-minute film based on his teen band, Satan's Hoof. On 12 March 2011, he made a brief appearance as Heathcliff in Noel Fielding's "Wuthering Heights" dance on the Let's Dance for Comic Relief finale. He also narrated the 2011 documentary Seven Dwarves .
In 2012, Barratt appeared in the miniseries Treasure Island on Sky1, as well as narrating the BBC Two documentary The Tube . He also had a part as an art teacher in the BBC drama White Heat. In 2013, he appeared in the fifth series of Being Human , playing a werewolf named Larry Chrysler. He also narrated the BBC Two documentaries The Route Masters: Running London's Roads and The Fifteen Billion Pound Railway . In April 2014, he collaborated with Julia Davis and Joe Frank on Frank's radio show "Isolation," which was broadcast as part of KCRW's UnFictional series.
In April 2016, he starred as Maurice Flowers, a children's author battling depression, in the Channel 4 series, Flowers , a 6 part dark comedy mini series which follows the eccentric and dysfunctional members of the Flowers family. [7] He reprised the role for the second series in 2018.
He plays the title character in the film Mindhorn , which he co-wrote with Simon Farnaby. It was released through Netflix on 12 May 2017.
In 2024, Barratt appeared in series 2 of Extraordinary as a special powers counsellor. The lead character had a crush on him and they shared a kiss after having described him as a DILF to her friend Carrie. He also appeared in the miniseries Knuckles as Jack Sinclair.
From 3 June to 9 July 2011, Barratt played the Mayor in a production of Nikolai Gogol's classic comedy The Government Inspector at the Young Vic Theatre. In October 2012, he returned to the stage in Lucy Kirkwood's play NSFW at the Royal Court. [8]
Barratt is an accomplished musician, and played guitar for Little Chief during their European tour. [9] He took an interest in jazz fusion at a young age, and by 17 was attempting to launch a career as a professional jazz guitarist. He was in a band called Groove Solution in the early 1990s with Dave Westlake, [9] and has also played bass with Chris Corner in IAMX. [10]
Barratt is in a relationship with comedian Julia Davis. The couple have twin sons. [11] In 2010, they performed together in a production of Chekhov's The Bear for Sky Arts 2 and in Sally4Ever, which Davis also wrote and directed. Barratt is known to be shy, quiet, and self-deprecating. [12] Unlike his comedy partner Noel Fielding, he prefers not to appear on comedy quiz shows or make similar public appearances, stating that he would rather "stay at home with a good book". [13]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Sweet | Stitch | |
2001 | Lucky Break | Paul Dean | |
2002 | Surrealisimo: The Trial of Salvador Dalí | Rosey | |
2003 | How to Tell when a Relationship is Over | Him | |
2003 | The Reckoning | Gravedigger | |
2003 | The Principles of Lust | Phillip | |
2008 | Curtains | Short film; Writer, Director | |
2009 | Bunny and the Bull | Atilla | |
2013 | The Harry Hill Movie | Conch | |
2013 | A Field in England | Commander Trower | |
2014 | ABCs of Death 2 | Peter Toland | Segment "B is for Badger"; also writer, director |
2015 | Aaaaaaaah! | Jupiter | |
2016 | Brakes | Ray | |
2017 | Mindhorn | Richard Thorncroft / Mindhorn | Co-writer |
2018 | In Fabric | Stash | |
2021 | The Electrical Life of Louis Wain | Dr. Elphik | |
2022 | Rogue Agent | Phil |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Asylum | Victor / Julian | 6 episodes; also writer |
1998 | Unnatural Acts | Various | 6 episodes; also writer and composer |
2004 | Garth Marenghi's Darkplace | The Padre | 3 episodes |
2004 | AD/BC: A Rock Opera | Tony Iscariot | Television special |
2004–2007 | The Mighty Boosh | Howard Moon / Various | 20 episodes; also co-creator, composer and writer |
2005 | Nathan Barley | Dan Ashcroft | 6 episodes |
2009 | How Not to Live Your Life | Jackson | Episode "Don the Singer" |
2010 | Little Crackers | Himself | Episode: "Satan's Hoof"; also writer, director |
2010 | Comedy Shorts | Smirnoff | Episode: "The Bear" |
2012 | White Heat | Derek Bowden | 2 episodes |
2012 | Treasure Island | Thomas Redruth | Miniseries |
2012 | Being Human | Larry Chrysler | Episode: "Pie and Prejudice" |
2013 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Lockheed | Episode: "U-KO'ed" |
2015 | Prison Night | Narrator | |
2016 | Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge | Blackbird Goodbrooke | Episode: "Blackbird + Gangster" |
2016–2018 | Flowers | Maurice | 12 episodes |
2018 | Sally4Ever | Nigel | 7 episodes |
2019 | Killing Eve | Julian | Episode: "Nice and Neat" |
2019 | Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart | Rufus (voice) | Episode: "Outfoxed" |
2019 | Moominvalley | Mr. Brisk (voice) | Episode: "Moomin's Winter Follies" |
2020 | Truth Seekers | Dr. Peter Toynbee | 5 episodes |
2021–2022 | Bloods [14] | Lawrence | Main role, 16 episodes |
2021 | Ultra City Smiths | The Most Dangerous Man in the World (voice) | 6 episodes |
2021–2023 | The Great | Dr. Vinodel | 9 episodes |
2021 | Summer Camp Island | Poppa Woppa McCallister (voice) | 2 Episodes |
2022 | The Witchfinder | Dennis | 1 Episode |
2022 | Dodger | M | 1 Episode |
2023 | The Following Events Are Based on a Pack of Lies | Benjy Dhillon | 5 Episodes |
2024 | Knuckles | Jack Sinclair | 2 Episodes |
2024 | Extraordinary | George | 6 Episodes |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | The Mighty Boosh | Howard Moon / Various | Edinburgh Fringe Festival |
1999 | Arctic Boosh | Howard Moon / Various | Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
2000 | Autoboosh | Howard Moon / Various | Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival |
2006 | The Mighty Boosh | Howard Moon / Various | Tour; 55 shows |
2008–2009 | The Mighty Boosh Live: Future Sailors Tour | Howard Moon / Various | Tour; 91 shows |
2011 | The Government Inspector | The Mayor | Young Vic Theatre |
2012 | NSFW | Aidan | Royal Court |
The Mighty Boosh is a British comedy troupe featuring comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Developed from three stage shows and a six-episode radio series, it has since spanned a total of 20 television episodes for BBC Three which aired from 2004 to 2007, and two live tours of the UK, as well as two live shows in the United States. The first television series is set in a zoo operated by Bob Fossil, the second in a flat and the third in a secondhand shop in Dalston called Nabootique.
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is a 2004 British horror parody television series created by Richard Ayoade and Matthew Holness for Channel 4. The show focuses on fictional horror author Garth Marenghi and his publisher Dean Learner, characters who originated in the stage show Garth Marenghi's Fright Knight.
Noel Fielding is an English comedian and actor. He is best known for his work with The Mighty Boosh comedy troupe alongside Julian Barratt in the 2000s, and more recently as a co-presenter of The Great British Bake Off since 2017. He is known for his dark and surreal comedic style.
Matthew James Holness is an English comedian, director, author, plus actor. He created and played the fictional horror author Garth Marenghi.
Michael Fielding is a British comedian and actor, known for his role as Naboo in the British surreal comedy The Mighty Boosh. He was born in Westminster, London, England and raised in Mitcham, Southwest London. Other works include the role of Smooth, the butler, in Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy, and more recently Benny Turpin in The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.
Richard Ayoade is a British comedian, actor, writer and director. He played the role of socially awkward IT technician Maurice Moss in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd (2006–2013), for which he won the 2014 BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance.
Richard Fulcher is an American comedian, actor and author. He played Bob Fossil and other characters in the British comedy series The Mighty Boosh, and Edward Sheath in the American series Jon Benjamin Has a Van. He has also appeared in Noel Fielding's more recent show, Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy. His other appearances include Unnatural Acts with Julian Barratt and Fielding of The Mighty Boosh and he starred in and wrote the TV series Snuff Box alongside Matt Berry.
Matthew Charles Berry is an English actor, comedian, musician, and writer. He has appeared in comedy television roles in The IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, The Mighty Boosh, Snuff Box, What We Do in the Shadows, and Toast of London, the last of which he also co-created. The series earned him the 2015 BAFTA Award for Best Male Performance in a Comedy Programme. As a musician, he has released nine studio albums.
Paul Thomas King is a British writer and director. He works in television, film and theatre, and specialises in comedy. He directed all 20 episodes of the BBC surreal comedy series The Mighty Boosh (2004–2007), and in 2005 he earned a British Academy Television Award nomination for Best New Director.
Stephen John Oram is an English actor, comedian, writer, and filmmaker. He is known for his role in the multi-award winning 2012 film Sightseers, which he also co-wrote. His other credits include People Like Us (2001), It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004), Tittybangbang (2006–2007), Suburban Shootout (2006), The Mighty Boosh (2007), Connections (2008), The World's End (2013), Wipers Times (2013), The Secrets (2014), The Canal (2014), Altar (2014), Paddington (2014), Glue (2014), Aaaaaaaah! (2015), The Living and the Dead (2016), A Dark Song (2016), The End of the F***ing World (2017–2019), Ghosts (2019), Doctor Who (2021), Killing Eve (2022), and D.I Ray (2022–2023).
Sweet is a 2000 short film directed by James Pilkington starring Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt that is set in Camden, London.
Simon Farnaby is an English actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his work with the Them There collective where he has written and starred in productions including Horrible Histories, Yonderland, and Ghosts.
The Mighty Boosh is a British surreal comedy television series created by Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Starring the comedy troupe The Mighty Boosh, it often featured elaborate musical numbers in different genres, such as electro, heavy metal, funk and rap. The series is known for popularising a style called "crimping", short a cappella songs which are present throughout all three series. Julian Barratt wrote the music within the show, and performed it with Noel Fielding. Fielding also designed many of the show's graphics and artwork.
Autoboosh was a 2000 stage show written and performed by Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt, along with Rich Fulcher, and, for the first time, Dave Brown, Michael Fielding, and Pete Kyriacou. It was the third incarnation of what would eventually become The Mighty Boosh.
The Boosh is a 2001 radio series, written and performed by The Mighty Boosh, and originally broadcast on BBC London Live, then BBC Radio 4, and later BBC 7.
Ralfe Band is the work of English songwriter Oly Ralfe.
The first series of The Mighty Boosh was originally broadcast between 18 May 2004 and 6 July 2004. It features five main cast members: Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding, Rich Fulcher, Michael Fielding and Dave Brown, and centres on Howard Moon and Vince Noir, and the adventures they have whilst working at a zoo. A DVD of the series was released on 29 August 2005 in Region 2. Series 1 began to air in America on Adult Swim from 29 March 2009.
Bunny and the Bull is a 2009 British comedy film written and directed by Paul King. It stars Edward Hogg and Simon Farnaby in a surreal recreation of a road trip. King has previously worked on British television comedies The Mighty Boosh and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace; the film is made in a similar style and has cameo appearances from stars of those series.
Mindhorn is a 2016 British independent comedy film directed by Sean Foley, written by Julian Barratt and Simon Farnaby, and executive produced by Steve Coogan and Ridley Scott. It stars Barratt, Farnaby, Essie Davis, Russell Tovey and Andrea Riseborough, with cameo appearances by Kenneth Branagh and Simon Callow as themselves. Barratt plays Richard Thorncroft, a faded television actor drawn into negotiations with a criminal who believes his character Detective Mindhorn is real.
Unlike Fielding, an enthusiastic guest captain on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Barratt eschews TV panel shows, saying he would he rather stay at home with a good book.