RHYS THOMAS
BIOGRAPHY
Rhys Thomas is a British comedian, actor, writer, director and producer whose inventive work has made a lasting mark on television and radio comedy. Born on 12 December 1978 in Basildon, Essex, Rhys grew up in Wickford and began performing while still at school, forming a comedy group with friends that showcased his early talent for character work and satire.
His first break came when he joined the team of Shooting Stars as a runner and impressed Charlie Higson and Bob Mortimer with his comedy tapes, leading to appearances on The Fast Show. He went on to play Gary Bellamy in the Radio 4 series Down the Line and its television adaptation Bellamy’s People, earning praise for his sharp improvisation and distinctive style.
Rhys has appeared in a wide range of television comedies, including Star Stories, Sirens, Nathan Barley, Swiss Toni and Fun at the Funeral Parlour. He created and starred in the acclaimed mock-documentary The Life of Rock with Brian Pern, which ran for three series and won a devoted following for its affectionate parody of the music industry. He has written and directed acclaimed one-off specials such as The Kemps: All True and its follow-up The Kemps: All Gold, and he has produced and directed high profile documentaries, including Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender, which earned a Rose d’Or, an International Emmy and a BAFTA nomination.
His more recent work includes creating, writing and directing the BBC adventure comedy Dodger, a prequel to Oliver Twist that showcases his flair for family entertainment. Across all his projects, Rhys combines sharp humour with an unmistakable love of character and storytelling, continuing to write, perform and direct for television, radio and film. Married to actress Lucy Montgomery and a devoted father of two, he remains one of the most versatile talents in British comedy.
PHOTO GALLERY
ARCHIVE VAULT
MEDIA
