Already one of the most acclaimed comics of his generation, Eddie Izzard is developing an equally stellar reputation as a film, television and stage actor. His most recent roles include ‘Roman Nagel’ in Steven Soderbergh’s caper sequel, Ocean’s Thirteen, ‘Mr. Kite’ in Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe, as well as lending his voice to Jerry Seinfeld’s Bee Movie. In addition, Izzard can be seen in Kitchen, a new television drama based on Kitchen Confidential, Anthony Bourdain’s tell-all book about working as a chef in New York.
This fall Izzard will be seen opposite Tom Cruise in United Artists’ Valkyrie, based on actual events, in which a handful of German generals hatch a plot to assassinate Nazi leader Adolf Hitler at the height of WWII.
Izzard’s stage appearances include David Mamet’s The Cryptogram; the title role in Marlowe’s Edward II; 900 Oneonta; and A Day in the Death of Joe Egg in London and on Broadway which won him a handful of awards, including a Tony® nomination for Best Actor.
In 2005, Izzard demonstrated his musical flair in Romance and Cigarettes, a Coen Brothers production directed by John Turturro, starring Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet. In 2004 he was seen in the mystical western Blueberry; alongside Kenneth Branagh and Zoe Wannamaker, he delighted children and adults alike as the voice of the ‘Sand Fairy’ in Disney’s Five Children and It; and appeared in Ocean’s Twelve opposite George Clooney and Brad Pitt. In 2001, Izzard enjoyed great success in the US and UK for his portrayal of ‘Charlie Chaplin’ in Peter Bogdanovich’s The Cat’s Meow.
His big-screen debut was alongside Bob Hoskins and Robin Williams in the 1996 movie Secret Agent. Other highlights in his movie career include appearing in The Avengers with Sean Connery and Velvet Goldmine with Ewan McGregor. Izzard’s credits also include All the Queen’s Men, Revengers Tragedy, and as the voice of ‘Nigel’ in the animated Disney movie The Wild.
Since his first stage appearance on London’s West End in 1993 in the one-man show Live at the Ambassadors, Izzard has inhabited a unique world of his own “carefully crafted rubbish.” Live at the Ambassadors was followed by a succession of critically-acclaimed shows including Unrepeatable in 1994, 1996’s Definite Article, Glorious in 1997, Dress to Kill in 1998 and the 2000 production Circle.
Izzard’s comedic musings have earned him some top awards from Time Out and the Perrier Panel. Live at the Ambassadors received an Olivier Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement. He won the British Comedy Award for Top Stand-Up Comedian in 1993 and 1996, and Dress to Kill earned him a New York Drama Desk Award and two Emmys®.
