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Last updated on the 31 May 2024 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 19 August 1984, Guildford, Surrey, England.
Simon Bird, the third of four children to academic parents, his early life was steeped in intellectual pursuits. He excelled at the Royal Grammar School in Guildford, showcasing a talent for music as a violinist in school orchestras.
Simon Bird’s academic prowess continued at Queens’ College, Cambridge, where he studied English Literature. There, he discovered a new passion – comedy. He joined the prestigious Cambridge Footlights, a breeding ground for comedic talent, and served as its president in 2006. Here, he developed his comedic skills alongside fellow Footlights member and future co-star, Joe Thomas.
While Bird pursued a Master’s degree in Cultural and Critical Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, comedy remained a constant. He co-founded “The House of Windsor,” a sketch comedy group, with Thomas and other Footlights alumni.
Simon Bird’s big break arrived in 2008 with the E4 sitcom “The Inbetweeners.” Co-created by Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard, the show offered an unfiltered look at the awkward social lives of four teenage boys. Bird landed the role of Will McKenzie, the seemingly sensible yet equally clueless member of the group. “The Inbetweeners” became a runaway success, praised for its sharp writing and relatable characters. Bird’s portrayal of Will, with his dry wit and self-deprecating humour, resonated with audiences and propelled him to stardom.
The success of “The Inbetweeners” translated to the big screen with two films, released in 2011 and 2014. Bird reprised his role as Will, navigating the challenges of adulthood with his equally hapless friends. The films further cemented Bird’s comedic credentials and solidified “The Inbetweeners” as a cult classic.
Bird’s talents extend beyond acting. He co-created the BBC Three panel show “The King is Dead,” showcasing his ability to craft witty and satirical humour. He has also ventured into directing, helming episodes of “Friday Night Dinner” and “Roadkill.”
He married actress Lisa Owens in 2012.
Suggested viewing
The Inbetweeners (2008)
Bftv 9.5 / IMDb 8.4
Four teenage boys navigate the awkward stages of adolescence, entangled in hopeless crushes, questionable decisions and cringe laden social blunders, all while yearning for acceptance and a taste of adulthood.
Top cast: Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley, Blake Harrison, Greg Davies, Emily Head, Martin Trenaman, Belinda Stewart-Wilson, Robin Weaver, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Emily Atack.
Chickens (2011)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.5
During WWI, three men deemed unfit for service become social outcasts in their small village. Coping with scornful glares and gossip, they forge an unlikely bond while dodging menial tasks and yearning for a chance to prove themselves, all under the watchful eye of a cunning (and possibly manipulative) young woman.
Top cast: Simon Bird, Jonny Sweet, Joe Thomas, Sarah Daykin, Emerald Fennell, Louise Ford, Eileen Davies, Emma Fryer, Amy Dawson, Vicki Pepperdine, Jessica Barden, Barry Humphries.
Everyone Else Burns (2023)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.7
A devout family wrestles with reconciling their strict religious beliefs with the temptations of modern life. Dad attempts to shield his family from hellfire, while teenagers grapple with faith, identity and the ever-present fear of eternal damnation.
Top cast: Simon Bird, Kate O’Flynn, Amy James-Kelly, Harry Connor, Ali Khan, Morgana Robinson, Lolly Adefope, Arsher Ali, Kadiff Kirwan.
Friday Night Dinner (2011)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.2
Weekly dinners at a Jewish North London home bring together two adult brothers, their eccentric parents and their weird neighbour. The seemingly ordinary routine explodes into chaos with unexpected guests, family quirks and hilariously disastrous situations.
Top cast: Tamsin Greig, Simon Bird, Paul Ritter, Tom Rosenthal, Mark Heap, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Frances Cuka, Rosalind Knight, Tuppence Middleton.
