Richard Gadd
Richard Gadd | |
---|---|
Born | Wormit, Fife, Scotland | 11 May 1989
Medium |
|
Education | Madras College |
Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
Parent(s) | Geoffrey Michael Gadd[1] |
Notable works and roles | Baby Reindeer |
Website | www |
Richard Gadd (born 11 May 1989) is a Scottish comedian, actor and writer, best known for creating and starring in the 2024 Netflix drama series Baby Reindeer, which was based on his one-man dark comedy show of the same name.[2][3][4][5] He earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for writing and acting in the series.[6][7]
Early life and education
[edit]Richard Gadd was born in the village of Wormit, in the Fife area of Scotland.[8] Gadd has described himself as a "middle-class guy from Fife".[9] He was educated at Madras College and studied English literature and theatre studies at the University of Glasgow.[10] He trained at the Oxford School of Drama, completing a one-year course in 2012.[11]
Career
[edit]Comedy
[edit]Gadd's early Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows were Cheese & Crack Whores (2013) and Breaking Gadd (2014), both shows went on to have runs at London's Soho Theatre. The Guardian wrote that his first two shows "purported to be autobiographical accounts of the young Scotsman's bleak life, a roundelay of failed relationships, blackouts, abusive therapists and fratricide."[9] Writing in 2015, The Guardian described him as a "schlock comic with a name for gaudy multimedia tales of drug addiction and sexual violence, mental illness and gore".[12] Waiting for Gaddot (2015) was intentionally more mainstream than its predecessors, bringing Gadd more success and wider attention.[9] Waiting for Gaddot won an Amused Moose Comedy Award in 2015 as well as a Scottish Comedy Award for Best Solo Show in 2016.[13][14] It was also nominated for a Malcolm Hardee Award for Innovation[15] and a Chortle Award for Innovation.
Gadd's 2016 Fringe show Monkey See Monkey Do won the Edinburgh Comedy Award[16] for Best Comedy Show and was also nominated for a Total Theatre Award for Innovation.[17] Later that year, Gadd won a Chortle Comedian's Comedian Award[18] and was nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for Best Performer.[19] The show then had several sell-out runs at Soho Theatre,[20] toured the UK and Europe,[21] and had a run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where it was nominated for the 2017 Barry Award.[22] In 2017 it was broadcast on Comedy Central as part of their Soho Theatre Live series.[23]
While a jobbing comedian, Gadd worked as a bartender at the Hawley Arms pub in London. It was here he would encounter 'Martha', who would become the main character in Baby Reindeer.[24] Gadd's next Edinburgh fringe show, the dark comedy Baby Reindeer, chronicling his experiences with being stalked by 'Martha', and sexually assaulted by a man he met earlier in his career, would prove to be his breakout success.[25] He has said that he was later stalked and sexually assaulted by an older woman.[26][4][27] It won two awards: The Scotsman Fringe First Award for New Writing[28] and a Stage Award for Acting Excellence.[29] The show then went on to a five-week run at The Bush Theatre in London[30] where it won an Off West End Theatre Award for Best Video Design, as well as receiving a nomination in the Best Performer category.[31] The show later transferred to the Ambassador's Theatre in London's West End, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[32] A few months later, the show went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre.[33]
In 2024, Netflix released a seven-episode drama based on the play, and billed as a 'true story'.[34] Gadd lost 28 kilograms to play the fictionalized version of himself in order to feel "vulnerable and fragile".[35] According to a recent report by Barclays, the enormous success and popularity of Baby Reindeer resulted in a notable annual increase in spending on Netflix digital subscriptions.[36] The woman depicted in Baby Reindeer as having stalked and sexually assaulted Gadd was quickly identified as Fiona Harvey, a Scottish lawyer with a history of stalking and mental illness. Harvey has denied Gadd's accusations and depiction of her, stated that she's never been to jail, as depicted in the Netflix show, and is pursuing Netflix for defamation.[5][37] Others familiar with the real-life people involved, have questioned Gadd's version of events, as depicted in Baby Reindeer.[24] Although not directly named in Harvey's lawsuit against Netflix, Gadd has fully supported Netflix's defence against Harvey's claims, and request to have her lawsuit dismissed, re-iterating accusations made against Harvey for stalking, and defending the veracity of 'Baby Reindeer'.[38]
Acting and screenwriting
[edit]Gadd is also an actor, starring opposite Daniel Mays in the 2017 BAFTA-nominated BBC Two single drama Against the Law. Other acting credits include BBC Three's Clique, Sky Arts's One Normal Night, Sky One's Code 404 and E4's Tripped.[39] As a screenwriter, Gadd worked for Netflix's Sex Education, and has written episodes of Ultimate Worrier for Dave and The Last Leg for Channel 4, where he was also a correspondent. He's also had several projects aired on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland.[40]
Personal life
[edit]Gadd identifies as bisexual, and has had both same-sex and different-sex relationships.[41][42]
Gadd has struggled with alcohol, and substance abuse, telling The Guardian in 2015 "I'm healthy and sober now. I still get real bad downers. But I feel better than I was."[9]
Gadd is an ambassador for We Are Survivors, a UK charity dedicated to helping male survivors of sexual abuse.[34]
Gadd is a fan of the Scotland football team.[43]
Gadd has lived in London long term.[9]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Confused | Scottish Guy #2 | Short film |
2018 | Diane's New Boyfriend | Christopher | Short film |
2019 | Whippersnap | Man | Short film |
Amazonia | Short film | ||
2021 | Ladybaby | Harry | Short film |
2024 | Truth Serum | Jimmy | Short film |
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Scot Squad | Tybalt Camberlain | Season 1, Episode 4 |
2015 | Tripped | Callum | Main role |
2016 | Vicious | Delivery Man | Episode: "The Finale" |
2017 | Against the Law | Eddie McNally | Television film |
2018 | Humans | Protester | Season 3, Episode 4 |
Clique | Ben Howard | Recurring role; 6 episodes | |
2019 | Urban Myths | Gareth | Episode: "Princess Diana, Freddy and Kenny" |
2020 | Outlander | Duff | Episode: "Mercy Shall Follow Me" |
2020–22 | Code 404 | Liam Cleasby | Main role |
2022 | Wedding Season | Conrad Lennox | Guest role; 3 episodes |
2024 | A Bear Named Wojtek | Dave | Voice role; television film |
Baby Reindeer | Donny Dunn | Main role; also writer and creator |
Awards and nominations
[edit]
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Gotham TV Awards | Outstanding Performance in a Limited Series | Baby Reindeer | Nominated | [44] |
Television Critics Association Awards | Individual Achievement in Drama | Nominated | [45] | ||
Astra TV Awards | Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Pending | [46] | ||
Best Writing in a Limited Series or TV Movie | Pending | ||||
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Pending | [47] | ||
Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Pending |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Devlin, Laura (14 June 2024). "Dundee professor and dad of Fife's Baby Reindeer star recognised in King's Birthday Honours".
- ^ Klein, Brennan (15 April 2024). "Baby Reindeer Cast Guide". ScreenRant.com. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ Tonks, Phoebe (3 May 2024). "Who is Richard Gadd? Meet the man behind Netflix's chilling Baby Reindeer". Yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ a b Badshah, Nadeem (9 May 2024). "'Inspiration' for Baby Reindeer stalker character says she received death threats". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
- ^ a b Yang, Maya (6 June 2024). "Baby Reindeer: woman who claims to be real-life Martha sues Netflix for $170m". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Shivani (17 July 2024). "Emmy Nominees 2024: The Complete List". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ^ Lyons, Margaret (23 April 2024). "What to Watch: 'Baby Reindeer,' an Astonishing Stalker Drama". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Hepburn, David (3 April 2024). "Baby Reindeer: Scottish performer Richard Gadd's new series release is". The Scotsman.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "'Outside, looking out': the twisted world of Richard Gadd". The Guardian. 18 October 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Richard Gadd: Who is Fife comedian behind Netflix hit Baby Reindeer?". The Courier. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ "Richard Gadd - Notable Alumni". Oxford School of Drama. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Richard Gadd interview". British Comedy Guide. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "AmusedMoose Comedy Awards - Stand-up Comedy Soho Kings Cross Awards Courses". amusedmoose.com. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Scot Squad apprehends two Scottish Comedy Awards". chortle.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Praise be to Gadd!". chortle.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ Premier. "Best Show – Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Awards". Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Archived from the original on 17 June 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "The Total Theatre Awards Shortlist 2016". Summerhall – Open Minds Open Doors. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Who won at the Chortle Awards 2017". chortle.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Off West End Theatre Award nominations". oxforddrama.ac.uk. 2 May 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Richard Gadd: Monkey See Monkey Do at Soho Theatre". Soho Theatre. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Show & Tell". showandtelluk.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Melbourne International Comedy Festival". Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Comedy Central to broadcast Soho Theatre Live stand-up shows". British Comedy Guide. 24 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ a b Iftikhar, Asyia Iftikhar (18 May 2024). "Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd's ex-colleague claims he led 'real Martha' on 'for laughs'". Metro. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
- ^ "Our Ambassadors". We Are Survivors. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Baby Reindeer review — Netflix's unsettling stalker drama makes for difficult viewing". Financial Times. 21 April 2024. Archived from the original on 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Logan, Brian (10 September 2019). "Richard Gadd on his stalker: 'It would be unfair to say she was awful and I'm a victim'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Final Edinburgh Fringe First Award winners revealed | WhatsOnStage". whatsonstage.com. 23 August 2019. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Richard Gadd wins The Stage Edinburgh Award 2019 | News". oxforddrama.ac.uk. 24 August 2019. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Baby Reindeer". bushtheatre.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "2020 Awards – The Offies". Archived from the original on 9 January 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "Baby Reindeer and The Shark Is Broken are postponed". British Theatre. 5 April 2020. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Richard Gadd wins an Olivier Award". chortle.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
- ^ a b Williams, Zoe (18 April 2024). "'I was severely stalked and severely abused': Richard Gadd on the true story behind Baby Reindeer [Interview]". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (13 May 2024). "Richard Gadd on 'Baby Reindeer' Phenomenon, Losing Anonymity and What He Won't Ever Comment on Again". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
- ^ "Baby Reindeer success comes amid jump in subscription spending – Barclays". The Asian Mirror. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ Butler, Alexander; Murray, Tom (10 May 2024). "Baby Reindeer: Fans horrified by Piers Morgan's 'excruciating' interview". The Independent. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Baby Reindeer's Richard Gadd responds to Fiona Harvey's lawsuit against Netflix". The Guardian. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ "Richard Gadd". IMDb. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ "BBC Radio 4 – Richard Gadd: Daddy Diaries". BBC. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ^ Chilton, Louis (11 April 2024). "Richard Gadd on Netflix's Baby Reindeer and his real-life story of stalking and trauma: 'I've lived in a prison of self-hate'". The Independent. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ Canfield, David (15 May 2024). "The Cast of 'Baby Reindeer' Speaks Out: "You Have to Practice Self-Preservation"". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd spotted cheering on Scotland at Euro 2024... but there's no sign of Martha". www.goal.com. 24 June 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (14 May 2024). "'Baby Reindeer,' 'The Curse,' 'Shogun' Among Inaugural Gotham TV Awards Nominees". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
- ^ Longeretta, Emily (10 June 2024). "'Baby Reindeer', 'Ripley' and 'Shogun' Lead 2024 TCA Awards Nominations: Full List". Variety. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "The 2024 Astra TV Awards Nominations Have Arrived". Hollywood Creative Alliance. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Baby Reindeer". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.