Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Mel Smith

Melvyn Kenneth Smith (3 December 1952 – 19 July 2013) was an English comedian, actor, writer, and filmmaker best known for his long-running satirical sketch comedy partnership with Griff Rhys Jones.^[1]^[2] Smith rose to prominence in the late 1970s as a performer and writer on the BBC's Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979–1982), an influential sketch series that parodied politics, media, and society alongside talents like Rowan Atkinson and Pamela Stephenson; the programme earned multiple BAFTA awards in 1981.^[1] ^[1] His collaboration with Rhys Jones produced Alas Smith and Jones (1984–1998), a BBC sketch show featuring rapid-fire head-to-head dialogues and character sketches that captured British cultural absurdities and became a cornerstone of television comedy.^[1] ^[1] Beyond television, Smith directed films including the romantic comedy The Tall Guy (1989) starring Jeff Goldblum and Emma Thompson, the ensemble comedy Radioland Murders (1994), and the blockbuster Bean (1997) with Rowan Atkinson, which grossed over $285 million worldwide.^[2] ^[2] ^[2] Smith, who studied at New College, Oxford, succumbed to a heart attack at his home in London at the age of 60.^[3] ^[1]

Early life and education

Family and upbringing

Mel Smith was born Melvyn Kenneth Smith on 3 December 1952 in Chiswick, West London.^[4] His parents were Kenneth and Vera Smith; his father had been born in Tow Law, County Durham, and worked in a coal mine during the Second World War, tending to pit ponies, before relocating to London after the conflict.^[5]^[3] Kenneth and Vera together managed family businesses in Chiswick, initially taking over Vera's family's greengrocer's shop on Quick Road before operating the area's first betting shop, reflecting the modest entrepreneurial environment of post-war West London.^[5]^[3] Smith grew up above or near local shops, including accounts of the family premises being over a fish and chip shop, in a working-class setting that shaped his early exposure to community commerce rather than affluence.^[6]^[7] No siblings are documented in primary biographical accounts of his childhood.^[5]^[3]

Academic and early theatrical pursuits

Smith was educated at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith, where he excelled in sports as captain of the rugby team from the second form through the sixth and took an early interest in theatre by portraying Falstaff at age 12.^[3]^[8] As a 15-year-old schoolboy, he directed his first play, demonstrating precocious involvement in stage production.^[8] In 1971, Smith entered New College, Oxford, to read experimental psychology, deliberately choosing the university for the opportunities provided by its esteemed dramatic society.^[3]^[9] He quickly became deeply engaged with the Oxford University Dramatic Society (OUDS), rising to serve as its president and prioritizing theatrical work over academic obligations.^[6]^[10] Through OUDS, Smith directed a production of The Tempest at the Oxford Playhouse, refining his skills in comedy and stagecraft, and performed in shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including one shared venue with the Cambridge University Footlights.^[5]^[10] In his third year, he forwent completing his degree to focus on directing multiple productions at the Oxford Playhouse and Edinburgh.^[6]^[11] This intensive involvement marked the foundation of his career in theatre, blending performance, direction, and emerging comedic instincts.^[5]

Professional career

Breakthrough in sketch comedy

Smith's prominent entry into television sketch comedy occurred through the BBC Two series Not the Nine O'Clock News, a satirical program that aired from 16 October 1979 to 8 March 1982.^[12] The show, produced by John Lloyd, featured fast-paced sketches lampooning contemporary politics, media sensationalism, and cultural trends, often through absurd characters and topical parody.^[13] Smith contributed as a performer and writer, marking his shift from stage directing and fringe theatre to national broadcast visibility.^[5] As part of the rotating ensemble cast, Smith shared sketches with performers including Rowan Atkinson, Pamela Stephenson, and Griff Rhys Jones (who joined as a regular from the second series onward). His roles ranged from authoritative figures in mock news segments to comedic everymen in ensemble bits, such as parodies of public figures and institutional absurdities, which highlighted his versatile timing and physical comedy style.^[5] The series' format emphasized brevity and irreverence, with Smith often delivering deadpan reactions that amplified the satirical edge, contributing to the show's reputation for revitalizing British sketch comedy post-Monty Python.^[13] Not the Nine O'Clock News propelled Smith to widespread recognition, establishing his comedic persona and forging key professional alliances, particularly with Rhys Jones, that shaped subsequent collaborations.^[14] Running for four series with specials, it drew audiences through its timely critiques, such as those on emerging punk culture and political scandals, and sold over a million copies of its associated record albums by 1980.^[13] This exposure transformed Smith from an Oxford University Footlights alum into a household name, underpinning his later ventures in sketch and narrative comedy.

Long-term partnership and television success

Smith and Griff Rhys Jones, having collaborated on the satirical sketch series Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979–1982), established a enduring professional partnership centered on comedy sketches and production.^[6] Their duo emphasized Smith's boisterous, physical humor contrasting with Rhys Jones's sharper, verbal wit, which propelled them to prominence as a leading British comedy team akin to earlier acts like Morecambe and Wise.^[15] In 1984, they launched Alas Smith and Jones on BBC Two, a sketch comedy program featuring original material performed before a studio audience, with the title parodying the American Western series Alias Smith and Jones.^[16] ^[17] The series debuted on 31 January 1984 and initially ran for four seasons through 1988, delivering satirical takes on contemporary life through recurring characters and absurd scenarios.^[18] It achieved strong viewership and critical acclaim for revitalizing sketch comedy on British television, spawning catchphrases and memorable bits that entered popular culture.^[19] The partnership extended the show's format under the simplified title Smith & Jones, continuing on BBC One and BBC Two until 1998, encompassing a total of 10 series over 16 years and including Christmas specials.^[20] This longevity underscored their commercial viability, bolstered by co-founding TalkBack Productions in the early 1980s, which handled production and later expanded into independent television output sold for £62 million in 2000.^[21] Their collaborative television work not only sustained their careers but also influenced subsequent British comedy duos through its blend of live-audience energy and scripted precision.^[22]

Film acting and directing

Smith's transition to feature films began with acting roles in supporting capacities. In 1985, he portrayed Bernard in Morons from Outer Space, a science fiction comedy he co-wrote with long-time collaborator Griff Rhys Jones, which satirized alien invasion tropes through inept extraterrestrials landing in England.^[23] That same year, he appeared as the Hotel Manager in National Lampoon's European Vacation, a sequel in the Vacation series where his character briefly interacts with the Griswold family during their chaotic European travels.^[2] In 1987, Smith played The Albino, a torturer in the cult fantasy-adventure The Princess Bride, delivering lines in a distinctive high-pitched voice that contributed to the film's memorable ensemble of quirky antagonists.^[24] His most prominent film acting role came in 1996 as Sir Toby Belch in the Shakespeare adaptation Twelfth Night, directed by Trevor Nunn, where he embodied the boisterous, drunken knight with physical comedy aligning with his television persona.^[25] Other appearances included a minor role in the 1992 comedy Brain Donors and an early part as Alan in the 1980 British drama Babylon.^[2] These roles showcased Smith's versatility in both comedic and dramatic contexts, though his film acting output remained limited compared to his television work. Smith's directing career marked a significant expansion into cinema, starting with his debut feature The Tall Guy in 1989, a romantic comedy scripted by Richard Curtis featuring Jeff Goldblum as a struggling actor and Emma Thompson in her breakthrough role.^[2] He followed with Radioland Murders in 1994, a frantic ensemble farce set at a 1930s radio station premiere, starring Brian Benben and Mary Stuart Masterson amid a series of murders and mishaps.^[26] In 1997, Smith helmed Bean, adapting Rowan Atkinson's beloved television character for the screen, where the titular disaster-prone figure causes havoc at an art gallery in Los Angeles, grossing over $285 million worldwide against a $18 million budget.^[27] Subsequent directorial efforts included High Heels and Low Lifes (2001), a heist comedy with Minnie Driver and Kate Beckinsale as mismatched friends attempting a kidnapping, and Blackball (2003), a sports satire starring Paul Kaye as a rebellious lawn bowls player challenging establishment figures.^[28] These films often blended slapstick with character-driven humor, reflecting Smith's background in sketch comedy, though critical and commercial reception varied, with Bean standing out as his most financially successful venture.^[25]

Later projects and production work

Following the conclusion of Smith and Jones in 1998, Smith directed several feature films, transitioning from television to cinema with a focus on comedy. His 1994 directorial effort Radioland Murders, a screwball comedy produced under George Lucas's oversight, featured a ensemble cast including Mary Stuart Masterson and Ned Beatty but failed commercially at the box office.^[5] More notably, Smith directed Bean in 1997, adapting Rowan Atkinson's television character into a feature starring Atkinson alongside Peter MacNicol and Harris Yulin; the film achieved significant success, earning roughly $250 million worldwide against an $18 million budget.^[5] Later films under his direction included the heist comedy High Heels and Low Lifes (2001), starring Minnie Driver and Kate Winslet, and the sports satire Blackball (2003), with Paul Kaye in the lead, though neither matched Bean's financial or critical impact.^[6]^[5] In production, Smith co-founded Talkback Productions in 1981 alongside Griff Rhys Jones, initially to support their collaborative work but expanding into a major independent entity responsible for acclaimed series such as Smack the Pony (1999–2003), Da Ali G Show (2000–2004), and I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002).^[5]^[2] The company's sale in 2000 to Pearson PLC fetched £62 million, yielding substantial returns for Smith and underscoring his influence in British television comedy output.^[5] Smith also returned to theatre direction later, helming a 2007 revival of Charley's Aunt at the Theatre Royal Bath, though details on its reception remain limited in contemporary accounts.^[5] These endeavors reflected his ongoing commitment to comedic forms amid diminishing on-screen visibility.

Personal life

Relationships and family

Smith married Pamela Gay-Rees, a former model, in 1988 at Westminster Registry Office in London.^[5] ^[29] The marriage lasted until his death in 2013, with Pamela surviving him alongside his sister, Lesley.^[5]

Health struggles and lifestyle issues

Smith developed an addiction to prescription painkillers in the late 1990s, leading to a severe overdose incident in 1999 when he consumed over 50 Nurofen Plus tablets containing codeine.^[30] This episode hospitalized him and caused exhaustion, depression, and two leaking stomach ulcers.^[30] He publicly acknowledged the addiction's toll, describing it as an "everyday" issue stemming from over-reliance on over-the-counter medications for pain management.^[30] Throughout his adult life, Smith contended with obesity, heavy eating, and smoking, which exacerbated his health vulnerabilities.^[31] By his later years, he weighed approximately 16 stone (about 102 kilograms or 224 pounds), contributing to recurrent gout attacks.^[31] His smoking habit persisted into adulthood, as evidenced by his 2006 attempt to defy Scotland's public smoking ban during a theatrical performance portraying Winston Churchill, though he ultimately complied after official intervention. ^[31] Smith also faced challenges with alcohol and recreational drugs earlier in his career, which he later attributed to overwhelming his life.^[32] By 2007, he had achieved sobriety through two years of support from Alcoholics Anonymous, ceasing both drinking and drug use to regain control.^[32] Additional ailments included severe pharyngitis in 2009, which affected his speech and prompted public concern, though it was attributed to a throat infection rather than a chronic condition.^[33]

Death and legacy

Circumstances of death

Mel Smith died on July 19, 2013, at the age of 60, from a heart attack at his home in northwest London.^[34]^[11] His agent, Michael Foster, confirmed the cause of death to media outlets, stating that Smith suffered the fatal attack while in bed.^[34]^[18] No autopsy details or contributing factors beyond the acute cardiac event were publicly disclosed at the time, and the death was reported as occurring peacefully in his sleep.^[35]^[36] Authorities treated the incident as a natural passing with no suspicious elements involved.^[34]

Posthumous recognition and influence on comedy

Following his death on 19 July 2013, Mel Smith was eulogized by prominent figures in British comedy, including actors Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie, who credited his improvisational skills and satirical edge with shaping television humor. Producer Peter Bennett-Jones described Smith as a foundational talent whose partnerships elevated sketch formats, while comedian Rebecca Front noted that his on-screen presence "helped to define a new style of comedy from the late 1970s that continues to influence people to this day." These tributes, reported across outlets like the BBC and Hollywood Reporter, underscored Smith's role in transitioning from alternative comedy scenes to mainstream success without diluting edge.^[37]^[38] A television documentary, Mel Smith: I've Sort of Done Things, aired on Channel 4 on 26 December 2013, compiling interviews with collaborators such as Griff Rhys Jones and archival footage to highlight Smith's career trajectory from Not the Nine O'Clock News to film direction. The program portrayed him as a "hell-raising comic" adept at spontaneous performance, drawing on personal anecdotes to affirm his unpretentious approach amid professional accolades. Reviewers praised it for capturing his blend of wit and vulnerability, though it avoided deeper scrutiny of personal excesses. Smith's posthumous influence endures in British sketch traditions, particularly through the topical satire he pioneered alongside Pamela Stephenson and Rowan Atkinson, which prefigured formats like The Daily Show by merging news parody with character-driven absurdity. His emphasis on verbal dexterity and physical comedy in Alas Smith and Jones—running 1982–1998 with intermittent revivals—informed subsequent duos and ensembles prioritizing unscripted chemistry over polished narratives. Observers, including the Television Academy, have labeled him an "influential" figure whose output from the late 1970s onward modeled resilient, audience-engaging humor resilient to commercial pressures.^[39]^[37]

Filmography

Feature films

Smith directed his first feature film, The Tall Guy (1989), a romantic comedy written by Richard Curtis and starring Jeff Goldblum as a struggling performer and Emma Thompson in her screen debut as a nurse. The film received mixed reviews but was noted for its witty script and Thompson's breakthrough performance. In 1994, Smith directed Radioland Murders, a fast-paced ensemble comedy set in a 1930s radio station, produced by George Lucas and featuring Mary Stuart Masterson, Ned Beatty, and Michael Lerner; it underperformed at the box office despite a $15 million budget. He later helmed Bean (1997), adapting the popular British TV character played by Rowan Atkinson into a family comedy that grossed over $285 million worldwide on a $18 million budget, marking Smith's most commercially successful directorial effort. Smith also directed High Heels and Low Lifes (2001), a heist comedy starring Minnie Driver and Kate Winslet, and Blackball (2003), a sports satire with Paul Kaye as a lawn bowls player. As an actor, Smith appeared in supporting roles, including the torturer known as the Albino in The Princess Bride (1987), delivering the memorable line "Mawwiage" in a lisping voice.^[24] He played the Hotel Manager in National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985) and co-wrote and starred as one of the titular aliens in the sci-fi comedy Morons from Outer Space (1985). In Twelfth Night (1996), Smith portrayed the boisterous Sir Toby Belch in Trevor Nunn's adaptation of Shakespeare's play. His film acting credits also include Bullseye! (1990) alongside Michael Caine and Roger Moore in a con-artist comedy.

Television series and specials

Smith first rose to prominence on British television as a performer in the BBC Two sketch comedy series Not the Nine O'Clock News, which ran for four series from October 1979 to May 1982.^[40] The programme featured satirical content targeting politics, current events, and popular culture, with Smith contributing sketches alongside cast members Rowan Atkinson, Pamela Stephenson, and Griff Rhys Jones starting from the second series.^[40] It achieved high ratings, peaking at over 12 million viewers per episode in its later seasons, and earned a BAFTA award for Best Light Entertainment Performance for the ensemble in 1981.^[40] In 1984, Smith partnered with Rhys Jones for Alas Smith and Jones, a BBC sketch show that combined character comedy, parody, and visual gags, running for five main series from January 1984 to October 1998, totaling 39 episodes.^[41] The duo wrote much of the material, drawing on their Not the Nine O'Clock News collaboration, and the series incorporated recurring segments like historical spoofs and advertisements.^[41] It included two Christmas specials: one in December 1987 featuring guests like Lindsay Duncan, and another holiday-themed edition emphasizing festive sketches.^[42] Smith later led the BBC Two sitcom Colin's Sandwich from May 1988 to December 1990, portraying Colin Watkins, a British Rail complaints handler aspiring to write horror novels amid personal frustrations.^[43] The series comprised 13 episodes across two seasons, scripted by Terry Kyan and Paul Smith, and received praise for its dry humour and Smith's understated performance as an everyman anti-hero.^[43]

References

[1]
In pictures: Mel Smith's career - BBC News
Jul 20, 2013 · The show went on to win multiple Bafta awards in 1981, with Smith's colleague Rowan Atkinson scooping the gong for best light entertainment ...Missing: achievements | Show results with:achievements
[2]
Mel Smith(1952-2013) - IMDb
Personal details · Alternative names. Smith and Jones · Height. 5′ 11½″ (1.82 m) · Born. December 3, 1952 · Died. July 19, 2013 · Spouse. Pamela Gay-Rees1991 - July ...
[3]
Mel Smith - Biography - IMDb
Born. December 3, 1952 · Chiswick, London, England, UK ; Died. July 19, 2013 · St John's Wood, London, England, UK (heart attack) ; Birth name. Melvyn Kenneth ...
[4]
Melvin Kenneth “Mel” Smith (1952-2013) - Memorials - Find a Grave
Birth: 3 Dec 1952. Chiswick, London Borough of Hounslow, Greater London, England ; Death: 19 Jul 2013 (aged 60). St Johns Wood, City of Westminster, Greater ...
[5]
Mel Smith obituary - The Guardian
Jul 21, 2013 · Smith was born in Chiswick, west London. His parents, Kenneth and Vera, ran the area's first betting shop. After studying at Latymer upper ...Missing: upbringing early
[6]
Smith, Mel (1952-2013) Biography - BFI Screenonline
The son of a Chiswick bookie, Smith was already directing plays at six years old, when he staged 'Little Plays for Little People' with his friends. He read ...Missing: family upbringing
[7]
Former Latymer Upper Schoolmates Pay Tribute to Mel Smith
Born in Chiswick on December 3, 1952 over a fish and chip shop, Mel Smith went to school at Hogarth Primary School and then attended Latymer Upper in ...Missing: parents upbringing early life
[8]
Mel Smith: A career both sides of the camera
Jul 22, 2013 · Having already directed a play as a 15-year-old schoolboy, Smith spent six years as a theatre director at venues including the Royal Court, ...
[9]
Mel Smith - The Telegraph
Jul 20, 2013 · He went up to New College, Oxford, to study experimental psychology, having chosen the university especially for its dramatic society. Smith's ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
[10]
Obituary: Comedian Mel Smith - BBC News
Jul 21, 2013 · After school he studied experimental psychology at New College, Oxford. He chose that particular college because of the lure of its dramatic ...Missing: background beginnings
[11]
Mel Smith, TV Actor, Director and Producer, Dies at 60
Jul 24, 2013 · He studied experimental psychology at Oxford but did not graduate because he spent most of his time with the university's dramatic society, ...Missing: theatre | Show results with:theatre
[12]
Not the Nine O'Clock News (a Titles & Air Dates Guide)
Jan 10, 2024 · Start date: Oct 1979. End date: Mar 1982. Status: cancelled/ended. Network(s): BBC Two (UK) Run time: 25 min. Episodes: 27 eps. Genre(s): Comedy.
[13]
And now the good news | Media | The Guardian
Jul 12, 1999 · Twenty years ago a song called I Like Trucking and a gorilla named Gerald revolutionised TV comedy. Gerard Barry pays tribute to Not the Nine O'Clock News.
[14]
Mel Smith - The Telegraph
Jul 21, 2013 · Mel Smith, who has died aged 60, made his name as one of Britain's funniest comedians when he forged a “head-to-head” partnership with Griff Rhys Jones in a ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography<|separator|>
[15]
How Mel Smith and Not The Nine O'Clock News changed the face of ...
Jul 20, 2013 · Together with the more strait-laced Rhys Jones he formed one of the most successful comedy duos there has been since Morecambe & Wise. Smith was ...
[16]
Rhys Jones, Griff (1953-) Biography - BFI Screenonline
Jones and Smith then developed a long-lasting comedy partnership, beginning with the sketch series Alas Smith and Jones (BBC, 1984-87), which included their ...
[17]
Alas Smith and Jones - Comedy - BBC
Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones first found fame together on the massively successful Not the Nine O'Clock News.
[18]
Mel Smith remembered: 'A gentleman and a scholar, a gambler and ...
Jul 20, 2013 · Mel Smith, the British comedian, writer, actor, producer and film director, known for his long and popular television partnership with Griff ...Missing: success | Show results with:success
[19]
Griff Rhys Jones: 'I'm greedy for life – I do too many things'
Nov 3, 2014 · Jones and his comedy partner Mel Smith became household names, thanks, in part, to their programme Alas Smith and Jones, which ran on BBC ...
[20]
Who is Mel Smith? Discover Their Role as Area Director
What's Mel Smith's Educational Background? Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering. University of Minnesota - Year 1974. Computer ...
[21]
Mel Smith, 1952-2013 | The Arts Desk
Jul 20, 2013 · A production of The Tempest he directed at the Playhouse got him a job as assistant director at the Royal Court. After five years immersed in ...
[22]
Griff Rhys Jones looks to drama and documentary for life without Mel ...
Nov 16, 2013 · Griff Rhys Jones sometimes still has to remind himself that Mel Smith, his comedy partner and friend for 35 years, is no longer around.
[23]
Morons from Outer Space (1985) - IMDb
Rating 4.5/10 (2,270) Morons from Outer Space: Directed by Mike Hodges. With Joanne Pearce, Jimmy ... Mel Smith · All cast & crew · Production, box office & more at IMDbPro. User ...
[24]
The Princess Bride (1987) - IMDb
Rating 8/10 (474,891) The Impressive Clergyman · Mel Smith · The Albino · Carol Kane · Valerie · Billy Crystal · Miracle Max · Anne Dyson · The Queen.Mel Smith(1952-2013) · Full cast & crew · Trivia · QuotesMissing: list | Show results with:list
[25]
Mel Smith Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
Smith teamed with Jones to write and star in the top-rated sketch-comedy program "Alas Smith and Jones" (BBC, 1984-1998). He acted in the stage versions of both ...
[26]
Radioland Murders (1994) - IMDb
Rating 6.2/10 (4,105) Radioland Murders: Directed by Mel Smith. With Brian Benben, Mary Stuart Masterson, Ned Beatty, George Burns. A series of mysterious crimes threatens the ...
[27]
Bean (1997) - IMDb
Rating 6.5/10 (114,933) Bean: Directed by Mel Smith. With Rowan Atkinson, Peter MacNicol, John Mills, Pamela Reed. The bumbling Mr. Bean travels to America when he is given the ...Full cast & crew · Parents guide · Bean · User reviews
[28]
Blackball (2003) - IMDb
Rating 5.6/10 (4,608) Blackball: Directed by Mel Smith. With Paul Kaye, James Cromwell, Alice Evans, Bernard Cribbins. A rebellious young British bowls player teams with another ...Full cast & crew · Filming & production · Parents guide · Release info
[29]
Mel Smith's life and tragic sudden death - Comedy fame ... - Daily Star
Jan 31, 2023 · Mel was not the only famous star in his family, as his wife was none other than former model Pamela Gay-Rees. The couple married in 1988 and ...
[30]
An everyday addiction | Mel Smith | The Guardian
Feb 22, 2000 · The comedian and film director admitted this week that he had developed a drug habit that left him exhausted, depressed and with two leaking stomach ulcers.Missing: struggles | Show results with:struggles
[31]
Comedian who lived life to the full dies of a heart attack
Jul 20, 2013 · Smith had struggled with health problems in recent years. He suffered occasionally from gout, smoked and ate heavily (he was 16-stone), and ...Missing: struggles | Show results with:struggles
[32]
'Drink and drugs were taking over my life' - The Telegraph
Aug 2, 2007 · “I stopped drinking and taking drugs because they were taking over my life,” he says. It took him two years but, with the help of Alcoholics' ...
[33]
'Slurring' Smith sparks health fears - Digital Spy
Jan 2, 2009 · However, a BBC spokesperson claimed that 56-year-old Smith merely had a throat infection, saying: "Mel did it for a charity and didn't want to ...<|separator|>
[34]
Mel Smith dies of heart attack aged 60 - BBC News
Jul 20, 2013 · In a statement on behalf of his wife, Pam, Mr Foster said: "Mel Smith, comedian and writer, died on Friday aged 60, from a heart attack at his ...Missing: family | Show results with:family
[35]
Mel Smith dies at 60 : News 2013 - Chortle
Jul 20, 2013 · The comic had suffered several health problems. In 1999, he was hospitalised after taking 50 Nurofen Plus tablets;, having become addicted to ...Missing: struggles | Show results with:struggles
[36]
Mel Smith dead: Heartbroken Griff Rhys Jones leads tributes to ...
Jul 20, 2013 · Heartbroken Griff Rhys Jones last night led tributes to his comedy partner Mel Smith, who has died of a heart attack in bed at 60.Missing: circumstances | Show results with:circumstances
[37]
Tributes paid to comedian Mel Smith - BBC News
Jul 21, 2013 · "Life was always exciting around Mel. He was my friend and business partner [along with Rhys Jones at Talkback] for many years and had ...
[38]
U.K. Comedy Stars Pay Tribute to Mel Smith - The Hollywood Reporter
Jul 21, 2013 · LONDON – A who's who of British comedy from in front of and behind the camera have paid tribute to British comedy legend Mel Smith, whose death ...
[39]
Mel Smith, Influential British Comedy Performer, Writer, Director ...
Aug 7, 2013 · Smith began working in television following his graduation from Oxford and got a major break in 1979 when he was hired Not the Nine O'Clock ...
[40]
Not the Nine O'Clock News (TV Series 1979–1982) - IMDb
Rating 7.9/10 (2,985) It introduced the British public to Griff Rys-Jones, Mel Smith, Pamela Stephenson and Rowan Atkinson. Chris Langham was in the first season but seemed to get ...Missing: breakthrough | Show results with:breakthrough<|separator|>
[41]
Alas Smith & Jones (TV Series 1984–1998) - IMDb
Rating 7.4/10 (2,005) Great pair from Great Britain. Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones are the stars of the sketch show "Alas Smith & Jones" (1984-1998). Here in Finland we're watching ...
[42]
https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/906-alas-smith-and-jones/season/0
[43]
Colin's Sandwich (TV Series 1988–1989) - IMDb
Rating 7.7/10 (162) Colin's Sandwich: Created by Terry Kyan, Paul Smith. With Mel Smith, Louisa Rix, Tony Haase, Mike Grady. Struggling writer Colin has the unenviable daytime ...