CRAIG FERGUSON entered the world of late-night comedy following a diverse and eclectic career that encompasses film, television and the stage. Since taking the helm of the “Late Late Show” on January 3, 2005, the show has set all-time viewer records.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Ferguson got his start in the entertainment industry as a drummer for some of the worst punk bands in the U.K., a profession he held for several years. Following his musical stint, he began bartending in a local pub in Glasgow, where he was introduced to Michael Boyd, the artistic director of The Tron Theatre in Glasgow, who persuaded Ferguson to give acting a go. After several low-paying acting gigs, Ferguson discovered he had a knack for comedy and was soon the star of his own BBC television show, “The Ferguson Theory.”
After several stints on the English comedy circuit, Ferguson brought his act to America in 1995 to star with Betty White and Marie Osmond in the short-lived ABC comedy “Maybe This Time.” After the show ended, ABC decided to add the talented Scotsman to “The Drew Carey Show,” playing Drew Careys' boss, Nigel Wick, from 1996-2003. Ferguson lent his voice to the Academy Award®-nominated animated feature “How to Train Your Dragon” as the viking Gobber. He wrote the feature films “The Big Tease” and “Saving Grace.” In 2003, he made his directorial debut with “I'll Be There,” which he also wrote and starred in. It went on to receive the Audience Award for Best Film at the Aspen, Dallas and Valencia film festivals. Ferguson was named “best new director” at the Napa Valley Film Festival. Other film credits include “Niagra Motel,” “Lenny the Wonder Dog,” “Prendimi l'anima,” “Life Without Dick,” “Chain of Fools” and “Born Romantic.”
In April 2006, Ferguson debuted his first novel entitled “Between the Bridge and the River,” which made it onto the bestseller list. In the novel, two childhood friends from Scotland and two illegitimate half-brothers from the deep South suffer and enjoy all manner of bizarre adventures.The eclectic cast of characters features Socrates, Carl Jung and Tony Randall; love, greed, hope, revenge, organized religion and Hollywood also make special appearances.
Ferguson came into his own on the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” winning his first Emmy® nomination in 2006. In 2008, he became a U.S. citizen, mentioning that this is his home after 13 years. Soon after, he hosted the White House Correspondence Dinner for President Bush. Critics raved about his witty and comical speech to the 3,000 attendees, which included journalists, celebrities and D.C. power players. HarperCollins published Ferguson's memoir “American on Purpose,” a book about why and how late-night funnyman became an American. The book was listed on the New York Times bestseller list and continues to sell well to date.
Ferguson serves on the board of the Lollipop Theater Network, which brings movies that are currently in theatrical release to hospitalized children facing chronic and life-threatening illness nationwide.
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