Famous For: 'Gavin and Stacey', 'Marion and Geoff', being a successful comedy actor and writer
"It's a bit of fun."
Trivia: Rob's been a presenter on a TV shopping channel, the voice of a toilet disinfectant and had a part in 'Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels'.
Biography:
Now one of the country's hottest comedy talents, this famous Baglan boy has already covered a lot of ground, having co-created and starred in TV series, radio shows and big-screen films.
In February 2009 it was announced that Rob, together with Stephen Fry and Jack Dee are to share hosting duties for a new series of BBC Radio 4 comedy panel show "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue".
One of Rob's recent successes has been in 'Gavin and Stacey'. If you haven't seen it...seek it out!
In December 2008 the programme won the Best TV Comedy Award.
In April of the same year it beat the likes of 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'Britain's Got Talent' to walk away with two Baftas.
It's a comedy about an Essex boy and a Welsh girl who fall in love. Only family and friends make sure of that life isn't that simple, including Rob's character - Bryn, who demonstrates a constant sense of what can only be described as "wonder" about the modern world.
The multi-awardwinning programme is set in Billericay, Essex, and Barry - the first series was shot entirely in and around Barry Island.
Afterwards check out the biography of Ruth Jones - who plays Nessa on the programme - on the BBC Wales' South East Wales website.
Rob is also closely associated with the character of Keith, a divorced cab-driver whose monologues to camera in 'Marion and Geoff' expanded from ten-minute shorts to a full-length series, a live tour, and in July 2004 even a spoof chat show.
In that series, Keith interviewed star guests in his ever-optimistic style, in a comically tragic quest to discover the secret of the perfect marriage.
What's your verdict on Rob's comedy? Scroll down the page to have Your Say.You may also have seen Rob in the BBC Three comedy Annually Retentive. The show charts the on and off-screen antics of a fictional TV panel show, which Rob hosts.
Rob, whose accolades include scooping Best Comedy Actor in the British Comedy Awards, was raised in Baglan near Port Talbot and is the father of three children.
It was after moving to Porthcawl that his interest in acting developed, under the guidance of Porthcawl Comprehensive School's drama teacher, Roger Burnel - frequent roles in school plays even included a crack at the Star Wars saga as Luke Skywalker.
Rob would later attend the Welsh College of Music and Drama, though he would leave mid-way through the course to head for BBC Broadcasting House in Llandaff.
'Cult' success in Wales was to follow when he hosted a show with Alan Thompson on BBC Radio Wales.
'Rave', which was also broadcast nationally on Radio 5 featured a plethora of comic characters, and it was one such collaboration that led to the genesis of the 'Marion and Geoff' story.
Alan and Rob played 'Tony and Keith', two friends who would set the world to rights in their own inimitable way.
What became clear was that Keith's friend Tony was evidently seeing Keith's wife Marion behind his back - hence the genesis of the famous tale.
Rob lists many comedians and actors as his inspiration, ranging from Barry Humphries and Mel Brooks to some with a more Welsh flavour - one of the earliest performances that Rob says influenced him was Ryan Davies in Pantomime at the Swansea Grand!
Rob's big break came when a mutual friend introduced him to Steve Coogan, the comic writer and performer who similarly started in stand-up and impersonation.
Coogan, most famous for his characters Alan Partridge and Paul Calf, encouraged Rob and his writing partner Hugo Blick to develop the Keith character through his own production company.
Up until this point Keith's most familiar work was arguably as the voice of a high-profile toilet disinfectant in a TV advertisement!
The first fruits of the Coogan - Brydon partnership led to the series of 10 minute 'Marion and Geoff' films, along with the TV series 'Human Remains' with Julia Davis.
Coogan and Brydon's collaborations continued - they co-starred in the BBC TV film 'Cruise of the Gods', and have appeared together in two films from director Michael Winterbottom - 2002's '24 Hour Party People', and 2006's 'A Cock and Bull Story'.
Rob has continued to develop the character of chirpy divorcee Keith Barret - 'Keith' wrote a book and has been on two live tours around his "Making Divorce Work" project.
Meanwhile Rob also starred in the sit-com 'Supernova' on BBC TV.
Are you a fan of Rob? Read what others have to say here and scoll down the page to add your comments.
Becky has contacted us from Exeter:
"I want to say how amazingly funny Rob Brydon is. I saw him in Exeter and he was just as funny as he is on TV. I am disappointed that Marion and Geoff won't be coming back, but I hope that there will be something out by him soon."Rob's niece Charlotte has been in contact with us:
"I saw the review on your website and thought I'd write a few lines. Even though being related to him would make me a bit biased. I think I am right in saying that he is an amazing actor; always makes me laugh with his various impressions. The half hour shows are even better than his first series, one of the funniest programmes around! I'll definitely be going to see him in his live show when he comes home and from the preview he did for Comic Relief it looks like it's going to be a good laugh. Definitely not to miss!"
Gina from Leeds says:
"I love Rob Brydon's humour ... I saw him in a pub in Leeds ... asked for his autograph ... Pass this message on ... way to go Rob from a quick aquaintance in the Edwards Pub Leeds."
Moment of Glory: Winning Best Comedy Actor at the British Comedy Awards.
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Stephanie Kersey Connecticut USA
I left my beautiful Wales 18 years ago to live in the USA and I miss it and the people so much. I find myself on the BBC channel most of the time. I was thrilled to come across the 'Gavin and Stacy' show and am totally addicted. We have just seen the 4th episode of the 1st series, it is on once a week, and I can not wait for each episode to arrive. I absolutely LOVE it. ...Congratulations to all the cast and you are now a big hit with us in America as I have shown all my friends and they love you all too!
Mon Sep 29 16:35:10 2008
David Pearce, Mumbles (former Baglan boy)
Rob was in primary school (a few years above me I may add) but I never imagined he would be the comedy star he is today. How wonderful it is that people you know can become so famous. He is one of the funniest and most adaptable individuals in the entertainment industry. I now work in the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay where Rob will perform at the end of November, I can't wait to see him live on stage.
Wed Apr 9 12:34:39 2008
Gary Jones of Rhondda Cynon Taff
Saw Rob in last nights Gavin and Stacey which was absolutely brilliant. Uncle Bryn stressing out over the surprise party then seeing him in his cowboy outfit is the funniest thing ever had me in stitches. Looking forward to seeing him at the WMC in November.
Tue Apr 8 10:44:22 2008
John Breakwell from Reading
Rob had a slot at our company party earlier this month. I hadn't seen much of his work before but he did have fans in the audience. He seemed confident on stage and was happy to get people involved in doing product voice overs; his impressions of Corbett and Coogan were good; his jokes were OK. Overall it seemed that his act was a sampler pack - bit of this, bit of that. I expect his show is much better when he doesn't have to share the gig.
Fri Feb 17 23:32:42 2006
Helen (Yorkshire but from Port Talbot)
I'm really looking forward to Supernova and Robs appearance in the new Michael Winterbottom film.
I hope you get a chance to do something with Bill Bailey/Tamsin Greig/Dylan Moran and other brilliant comedy performers.
Fri Sep 30 22:16:29 2005
mary arth australia
Love your show. Originally from port talbot. The film you did in australia supernova is coming on soon. Cant wait to see it. Love from your fans down under
Sat Sep 10 04:50:54 2005
AJ (formally from Pontarddulais, currently studyin)
What can I say about Rob?!? WOW! The best just got better with this guy and I certainly do wonder whether or not Rob would do another series of Marion and Geoff cause that was fantasic watching it! Now all I say to the guy is in the word of Oliver Twist, "Please sir, can I some more?"
Thu Mar 3 16:30:17 2005
Lucy, Derby (formally from Carmarthen)
Saw Rob when he visited the fantastic Torch Theatre in Milford Haven a couple of years ago. I remember those heady Rave days, got Rob and Al to sing me a song on my birthday, and my ambition to work in the media myself was born on that day. A friend of mine interviewed him last year and made him blush by telling him about that. Anyway, just one thing to say, is it just me or has Keith Barret lost his Cerrdiffff accent and become more Swansea???!!!! Who cares, he's still great...
Sat Jan 8 20:17:32 2005
Noey Corlett, Ramsey.
He is depressing!!! I like a good laugh but he brings me down!! I know his kind of comedy is popular with some people otherwise he wouldn't be on the telly but does he have to be on my telly???? Doom & gloom comedy is not for me, thank you very much. We have enough doom in this world without some so called comedian breaking in to our laugh time with more of it.
Wed Dec 29 23:49:43 2004
Daniel James
Rob is the greatest. I love all of his work. I even made a website about him. I'm looking forward to the new series of The Keith Barret Show :-).
Sun Dec 12 18:59:12 2004
Josh from Baglan (Port Talbot)
The Keith Barret show is officialy the funniest show on a Monday night (I think so anyway)
It's good to have somone famous who was raised in Baglan.
Wed Jul 28 10:31:12 2004
Gordon Johns Ogmore Vale
What a talent you are Rob. At last a comic talent that Wales will be proud of.
Thu Jul 15 11:52:37 2004
Andy Fisher Llanelli
Rob is an talent and gifted performer.
One of the funniest things I have seen him do is his Tom "the cough" Jones. Better than the real thing.
Tue Jul 13 13:04:14 2004
Tricia Keating From Carmarthen
I have seen Bob and admired his wit even on the Marion and Geoff series, I couldn't wait for the next week when it was on and I would have loved to seen him live. I like his accent and it's nice to see someone with a Welsh accent get more famous we have so few stars from Wales and even when we do they change their accent. Away to go Bob! Let's hope we see more of you in the future but stay yourself!That's how we like you.
Sat Jul 10 07:15:50 2004
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What's your verdict on Rob? What do you think is his funniest work? Are you a Keith Barret fan? Share your views here.
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