Childhood & Early Life
James Andrew Innes Jack Dee was born in Bromley, Kent, England, to Rosemary A and Geoffrey T. Dee, a painter. He was raised for a brief period in Petts Wood, after which his family relocated to Winchester.
He first attended The Pilgrims' School in Winchester and later went to the Montgomery of Alamein School and the Frensham Heights School. For further education, he attended the Peter Symonds' College.
He wanted to study drama in college but his mother insisted that he get a vocation. He then set foot in the catering industry and became a waiter. He started working at the Ritz.
Continue Reading Below
Career
In 1986, he first experienced the limelight after he performed an open-mic gig at ‘The Comedy Store', which was a comedy club in Soho, London, England. He had casually visited the club after work, little knowing that this would change the fate of his life.
He began performing at many venues in the 1990s including the London Palladium and the Hammersmith Apollo. He soon began to perform in many other high profile venues.
In 1992, he bagged the opportunity to host his own show, 'The Jack Dee Show' on Channel 4. This gave him exposure to a wide range of audiences and he soon had the 'Jack Dee's Saturday Night' on ITV and ‘Jack Dee's Happy Hour’.
In 1996, he was featured in the mokumentary series, ‘Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives', which was aired on Channel 4. The next year, he played 'Doug Digby' in the 'Grimleys' pilot.
He began making guest appearances and starred in various television shows like, 'Silent Witness', 'Dalziel and Pascoe' and 'Jonathan Creek'.
In 2001, he was declared the winner of a British reality television show 'Celebrity Big Brother'. It is believed that while he was on the show, he did not like how the housemates were treated.
In 2004, he hosted the British stand-up comedy show, 'Jack Dee Live at the Apollo', later renamed 'Live at the Apollo'. The programme was performed at the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre, London and aired on 'BBC One'.
In 2005, he was one of the hosts for the ‘Comic-Aid’, a fund raising gathering of comedians, which aimed to raise money for the victims of the Asian Tsunami Appeal.
In May 2005, he was seen on the segment, ‘Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car' from the BBC Two series 'Top Gear'. The following year, he co-wrote the BBC Four series, 'Lead Balloon'. He also appeared in the film, ‘Short Order’.
Continue Reading Below
In 2009, it was announced that he would be one of the hosts of the series, ‘I’m Sorry I Haven't a Clue'. That year, he also appeared in the TV comedy panel game, ‘Shooting Stars' and the comedy series, ‘The News at Bedtime'.
In 2010, he was part of the Channel 4's ‘Comedy Gala’, a benefit show. The show was organised at the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, Bloomsbury, London.
In 2013, he participated in the celebrity comic relief challenge, 'Through Hell and High Water', that required participants to cross the most challenging rapids in the Zambezi River. This raised one million for charity.
Awards & Achievements
In 1991, he won the British Comedy Award for the category of ‘Best Stage Newcomer’.
In 1997, he won the British Comedy Award for 'Best Stand-up Comedian' category.
In 1997, he won the British Advertising Award for the 'John Smith's Bitter’ commercials.
Personal Life & Legacy
While working at the Ritz in his twenties, he started drinking regularly and soon became a heavy drinker.
In 1989, he married Susan Jane ‘Jane’ Hetherington, whom he had met while he was working as a waiter in Fulham. They have been blessed with four children.
In 2009, he came out with his autobiography titled, ‘Thanks For Nothing: The Jack Dee Memoirs'.
In February 2009, along with other celebrities from the entertainment industry he wrote an open letter to ‘The Times’. The letter supported 'Bahai' leaders, who were facing trial in Iran.
He co-founded the production house, ‘Open Mike Productions' along with Addison Cresswel.
