Rik Mayall

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Richard Michael Mayall (7 March 1958 – September 2014) was an English comedian, actor, and writer.

Mayall developed a close friendship with Ade Edmondson while attending Manchester University and was a pioneer of alternative comedy in the 1980s. Mayall appeared in many cult classic sitcoms over his career, including The Young Ones, The Comic Strip Presents..., Filthy Rich & Catflap, The New Statesman, Bottom and Believe Nothing.

Mayall appeared in the comedy films Drop Dead Fred and Guests House Paradiso, as well as winning a Primetime Emmy Award for his voice-over work in The Willows in Winter.

His comedic style was described as "post-punk" and "ethical."

He was also known as the narrator of the CGI children's show Jellabies. Mayall died on June 9, 2014 at the age of 56.

Danny Cohen, the BBC Television presenter, praised him as a "truly brilliant" comedian with a unique stage presence, whose "fireball ingenuity" and approach to sitcom had inspired a generation of comedy stars.

Early life

Mayall was born in 1958 at 98 Matching Tye near Harlow, Essex, to Gillian (née Harrild; 1930–2011) and John Mayall (1925–2011). Anthony was his older brother and two younger sisters, Libby and Kate. When Mayall was three years old, he and his parents, who specialized in drama, travelled to Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, where they spent the remainder of his childhood and appeared in his parents' productions.

He attended King's School, Worcester, where he obtained a free scholarship. He failed the majority of his O-levels and then fell through A-levels. Mayall went to the University of Manchester to study drama in 1975. He claimed that he didn't get a degree or did not even turn up to his finals, but in truth, he graduated with lower second-class honours in 1978. Ade Edmondson, a fellow student; Ben Elton; and Lise Mayer, co-wrote The Young Ones.

Personal life

Mayall married Scottish make-up artist Barbara Robbin in 1985, and the pair had three children. The couple met in 1981 while filming A Kick Up the Eighties and embarking on a dark mystery. Mayall had been in a long-term relationship with Lise Mayer at the time. Mayall and Ben Elton eloped to Barbados after learning that Robbin was pregnant. A miscarriage is likely later in life. Mayall said in a 2002 newspaper story that he had since forgiven him.

Mayall has twice publicly expressed interest in political campaigns. As part of the United Kingdom's membership in the European Union, he dressed up as Adolf Hitler in a cinema advertisement opposing the withdrawal of the Pound sterling from its national currency in favour of the Euro. Alan B'Stard, the United Kingdom Alternative Vote Referendum of 2011, appeared in a television show 'No' campaign as Alan B'Stard to oppose the introduction of a non-proportional electoral system in Westminster Parliamentary elections.

Mayall was wounded when he crashed a quad bike near his house in Devon on April 9, 1998. Bonnie and her cousin had begged him to ride the bike, a Christmas gift from his wife, but he refused because of bad weather, and he went out alone. Mayall had no idea about the accident. Barbara, his wife, looked out the window and saw him lying on the ground below the quad, which had turned over on top of him. Mayall later joked that his wife was fooled by him and left him for a few minutes. He was airlifted to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital, with two haematomas and a fractured skull. He was kept sedated for 96 hours to avoid moving, which could result in pressure on his brain. His family was warned that he could die or have brain damage. For several days, he had been in an induced coma. Doctors found it safe to bring him right back to consciousness after five days. Mayall said in a BBC Radio 2 interview in 2000 that after shooting Guest House Paradiso, Edmondson would make sure he had afternoons free to rest from filming following the crash.

For the first time during Mayall's hospitalization, the Comic Strip special, Four Men in a Car, was broadcast. Mayall's character is portrayed in the film as a result of a car collision. Mayall and Edmondson joked about the case in stage versions of Bottom, Edmondson's "If only I'd adjusted those brakes properly," Mayall said of "quad bike flashbacks," with Mayall referring to "quad bike flashbacks" and Mayall referring to himself: "You must know him, the tosser who fell off the quad bike." Mayall claims he rose from the dead in his 2005 parody autobiography.

Mayall died at his Barnes, Richmond-upon-Thames, London, after a sudden heart arrest after a morning jog on June 9, 2014. He was 56 years old at the time. His funeral took place on 19 June 2014 at St. George's Church in Dittisham, Devon. Among the participants were Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Peter Richardson, Alan Rickman, and Mayall's Young Ones co-stars Ade Edmondson, Nigel Planer, and Alexei Sayle, as well as Young Ones co-writer Ben Elton. Edmondson also served as a pallbearer. Mayall was buried on his family's estate near Totnes, Devon, in accordance with his wishes.

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Career

Edmondson and Mayall first made their name at The Comedy Store in 1980. Mayall created solo routines, including Kevin Turvey and a pompous anarchist poet named Rick, rather than appearing in their double act. Edmondson and Mayall, as well as Comedy Store compere Alexei Sayle, French and Saunders, Arnold Brown, and Pete Richens formed "The Comic Strip" in the Raymond Revuebar, a strip joint in Soho, which culminated in Edmondson and Mayall. Kevin Turvey of Mayall was the first to be broadcast in A Kick Up the Eighties on a regular basis. In Richard O'Brien's Shock Treatment, a sequel to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, he appeared as "Rest Home" Ricky. He played Dentonvale's resident attendant as the love interest to Nell Campbell's Nurse Ansalong.

Kevin Turvey's television appearances as Kevin Turvey spawned a mockumentary based on the character Kevin Turvey - The Man Behind The Green Door, which premiered in 1982. He appeared in a bit in An American Werewolf in London earlier this year. Edmondson's stage relationship continued, with the two brothers often appearing together as "The Dangerous Brothers," hapless daredevils whose hyperviolent antics foreshadowed their characters in Bottom. The Comic Strip Group's six short films, which became The Comic Strip Presents..., debuted on November 2nd, 1982. Mayall appeared in a number of roles throughout the series, which lasted on a sporadic basis for many years. It was well-known for anti-establishment humour and parodies, such as Bad News on Tour, a spoof "rockumentary" starring Mayall, Richardson, Edmondson, and Planer as a heavy metal band, that appeared as a heavy metal band.

The BBC was interested in The Young Ones, a sitcom written by Mayall and his then-girlfriend Lise Mayer, in the same anarchic vein as Comic Strip. Ben Elton was one of the writers. In 1982, the series was first broadcast shortly after Comic Strip. Mayall played Rick, a pompous sociology professor and Cliff Richard devotee. Mayall continued his double-act with Edmondson, who appeared as the vivacious heavy metal medical student Vyvyan in "Vyvyan." As hippie Neil) and Christopher Ryan (as "Mike the cool one") also appeared, with additional text written and performed by Alexei Sayle.

The first series was a hit, and a second series was screened in 1984. Spike Milligan owed a sarcastic debt to the series, but Milligan disapproved of Mayall's style of performance. Milligan once wrote, "Rik Mayall is putrid, absolutely vile." He finds nose-picking amusing and farting, among other things. "He is the arsehole of British comedy."

In 1986, Mayall appeared in "Peter Gunn" by Art of Noise's Duane Eddy's video.

Mayall continued to work on The Comic Strip films. He returned to stand-up comedy on Saturday Live, the British version of American Saturday Night Live, first broadcast in 1985. "The Dangerous Brothers" was their first stage performance, and He and Edmondson had a regular section. Mayall's 1985 debut of another comedic film. He appeared in the last episode of the first series of Blackadder (1983) as "Mad Gerald." In the Blackadder II episode titled "Bells," he reprised to play Lord Flashheart. In the Blackadder Goes Forth episode "Private Plane," a descendant of this character, Squadron Commander Flashheart, appeared. In a scene where he rescues Captain Blackadder from the Germans, he was reunited with Edmondson, the German flying ace Baron von Richthofen's "Red Baron." Mayall appeared in Blackadder: Back & Forth as Robin Hood a decade ago.

Mayall appeared in Filthy Rich & Catflap, which was billed as a sequel to The Young Ones, in 1986. Filthy Rich and Catflap's comment was in reaction to Jimmy Tarbuck's remarks about The Young Ones. The show's primary goal was to emphasize the "has been" place of light entertainment. Although Mayall received positive feedback, viewing figures were disappointing, and the sequence was never repeated on the BBC. A following emerged in subsequent years, including video, DVD, and repeats on UK television. When they had been co-writers on The Young Ones, Mayall said that the series didn't last because he was dissatisfied with being in an Elton project. Mayall had a No. 1 in the same year. When he and his co-stars from The Young Ones joined Cliff Richard to record "Life Doll" for the inaugural Comic Relief campaign, he became the first top one in the UK Singles Chart. Mayall appeared on Rick for the last time in the Comic Relief show and also endorsed the Comic Relief Campaign for the remainder of his life. Mayall co-starred with Edmondson in one episode of the ITV sitcom Hardwicke House in 1987, but the series's poor reception from press and viewers saw ITV cancel it after two episodes, leaving their appearance unbroadcast. He appeared on the children's television show Jackanory. Roald Dahl's Marvelous Medicine, a crazed portrayal of the plot, was memorable. However, viewers sent "an email with viewers who insist that both story and presentation are both troubling and insulting."

Mayall appeared fictional Conservative MP Alan Beresford B'Stard in Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran's book The New Statesman (Yorkshire Television) in 1987. In the 1980s and early 1990s, the image appeared as a satirical portrait of Tory Members of Parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom. Between 1987 and 1994, the program spanned two BBC specials, and was highly regarded both in the ratings and critically. In 1989, Mayall appeared in a series of bit shows for ITV called Grim Tales, in which he narrated Grimm Brothers fairy tales while puppets performed the tales in a similar vein to Jackanory's appearance on Jackanory. Mayall appeared in parody ads for Nintendo games and consoles in the early 1990s. He bought his house in London, which he referred to as "Nintendo Towers" because of the advertisements.

Edmondson and Mayall co-starred in Beckett's Waiting for Godot at the Queen's Theatre in 1991, with Mayall playing Vladimir, Edmondson as Estragon and Christopher Ryan as Lucky. They came up with the suggestion for Bottom, which they said was a cruder cousin to Waiting for Godot. Bottom was ordered by the BBC, and three series of episodes were shown between 1991 and 1995. Mayall appeared in Bottom as Richard 'Richie' Richard alongside Edmondson's Eddie Betty Hitler. The film brought slapstick abuse to new heights, as well as a huge fanbase.

Mayall and Edmondson decided to film the series on a national tour in 1993, following the second series. It was a commercial success, with large venues packed. In 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2003, four additional stage shows were produced, with each meeting with great success. Both Edmondson and Mayall were admitted to hospital at various times due to the violent nature of these shows. In 1999, a film version of Guest House Paradiso was released. A fourth TV series was also written, but not by the BBC, but it was not broadcast by the BBC.

Mayall appeared in Drop Dead Fred (1991) as the eponymous friend, a troubling fictional friend who reappears from a woman's childhood. He appeared in Carry On Columbus (1992) with other alternative comedians. In the 1992 animated film adaptation of George MacDonald's 1872 children's tale The Princess and the Goblins, Mayall provided the voice of Froglip, the prince of the goblins. (Micky Love / Briefest Encounter / Clair de Lune): He appeared in Rik Mayall Presents, six individual comedy dramas in 1993 (Micky Love / Briefest Encounter / Dancing Queen / The Big One / Clair de Lune). Mayall's appearances at the British Comedy Awards of the year were a Best Comedian Award, and a second series of three was broadcast in early 1995. In Simon Brett's How to Be a Little Sod, written in 1991 and republished as ten separate episodes broadcast by the BBC in 1995. He was a character for Little Sod. He auditioned for Banzai, Zazu, and Timon in The Lion King (1994), but he was declined to audition by lyricist Tim Rice, but Zazu's role was handed over to Rowan Atkinson.

Mayall appeared in a production of the play Cell Mates with Stephen Fry in 1995. Fry had a nervous breakdown and fled to Belgium, where he stayed for several days, and the play concluded early. Mayall said of the occurrence in 2007: "You don't leave the trenches... selfishness is one thing, but being a _______________ is another." I mustn't start the war again." During their stage tours, Edmondson mocked the performance. "Have you finished?" Edmondson said in Bottom Live: The Big Number Two Tour, after Mayall gave mocking gestures to the audience and insulted their town in a silly accent. I'm just curious why Stephen Fry __ off" "I'm beginning to understand why. In Bottom Live 2003: Arms Grade Y-Fronts Tour, Richie mistakenly fondles Eddie, he responds, "I see why Stephen Fry left the show." Mayall unveiled a replica weapon — a play prop — to a passer-by in the street near the end of the Cell Mates run. Mayall was warned of the occurrence and later admitted that it was "very stupid, even by my standards." Mayall appeared in the first and second series of the animated television show Watership Down, beginning in 1999. Mayall was featured in a number of Virgin Train advertisements in the late 1990s.

Mayall was involved in a serious quad bike crash in 1998. While Mayall was still hospitalized, the two made the first draft of their feature film Guest House Paradiso. They had intended to co-direct, but Edmondson took responsibility for the duties himself. Mayall has returned to work as a voice-over artist. DI Gideon Pryke's first post-accident acting work was in the 1998 Jonathan Creek Christmas special, which he later reprised in 2013. Adrian Edmondson appeared in a recurring role in Jonathan Creek's series, but the two were not in any episodes together.

Mayall portrayed around half of the characters for the PlayStation and Windows PC video game Hogs of War in 2000. Mayall appeared in the film version of Jesus Christ Superstar as King Hero of the year 2000. In the "making of" documentary, which was included on the DVD, he joked that "the main reason why millions of people are interested in seeing this is because I'm involved!"

Me and Jesus!"

In the episode "The White Knight Stratagem" from the series "Murder Rooms: The Real Sherlock Holmes' Lt. Daniel Blaney, 2001, Mayall appeared as Lt. Daniel Blaney. Mayall appeared in Believe Nothing, a television sitcom. He starred with Marks and Gran once more. However, the sitcom was unable to repeat the success of The New Statesman, and it only lasted for one series.

Mayall announced that they would return with another tour after 2003's Bottom: Live tour, Bottom 5: Weapons Grade Y-Fronts.

In the film "ABBA: Our Last Video Ever" (2004), Mayall had a leading cameo in playing the record boss.

In the BBC show Shoebox Zoo, Edwin was interviewed by Mayall. He published Bigger Than Hitler, a 'in-character' semi-fictionalized autobiography, in September 2005, better than Christ (ISBN 0-00-720727-1). He appeared in a recent ITV series called All About George at the same time. Mayall revived Alan B'Stard's role in the play The New Statesman 2006: Alan B'Stard, written by Marks and Gran. By this time, B'Stard had left the floundering Conservatives and become a Labour MP. Following a two-month run at the Trafalgar Studios in London, a heavily re-written version toured theaters around the country, with Marks and Gran often changing the script to keep it current. However, Mayall came to a halt due to chronic exhaustion and flu in May 2007 and was barred from the competition. During his hiatus, Alan B'Stard was portrayed by his understudy, Mike Sherman.

In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001), the first Harry Potter film, Mayall was cast as the poltergeist Peeves, but all of his scenes were cut from the film. He had not been told that his scenes had been cut until the full film was officially revealed at the premiere. When filming was over, the actors were unable to control their giggles as he was filming and wouldn't dead. Since Mayall's death, there has been a call for the publication of this video from his followers. On his second website blog for his film, Evil Calls: The Raven (2008), he shared the tale of this recruiting/firing process. Winston the Butler's role in Evil Calls was shot in 2002 when the film was titled Alone in the Dark. The film wasn't completed before 2008 and was released under the name of Evil Calls to distinguish it from the Alone in the Dark computer game film.

Mayall appeared in the television commercials for Andrex toilet paper and also appeared in the Domestos cleaning product ads. King Arthur's Adventures, a children's television cartoon series, starred him as the voice of Arthur. Matt Lucas, who plays Merlin, portrays Merlin. Mayall appeared in the Channel Five adaptation of the lighthearted drama series Minder. In the 2005 animated film Valiant, he also performed Cufflingk.

Mayall appeared in and around Chettham Park House in September 2009 as the television show Midsomer Murders, on ITV1 and produced by Meridian Broadcasting company.

"Noble England" was Mayall's England football anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which he recorded with producer Dave Loughran at Brick Lane Studios in London in April 2010. The publication, which was scheduled to take place on April 26th, was meant to coincide with St George's Day and Shakespeare's baptism. Mayall performs an adapted speech from Shakespeare's Henry V. In June 2010, Sony/Universal's official BBC Match of the Day compilation CD (2010 Edition), starring Noble England, was released. A campaign led by Jon Morter began to get "Noble England" to No. 1 after Mayall's death in 2014. During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, there was 1 in the United Kingdom. It soared to the top of the official charts in the United Kingdom and dropped to no. 86. 7.

Digital Download published an audio book narrated by Mayall, Cutey, and the Sofaguard in September 2010. Wisdom Twins Books published Chris Wade's book, which was published by them. Mayall performed Roy's Dad's voice in the same month and produced five episodes of animation in November 2010. Clickety Books released five different characters on CDs accompanying children's books in November 2010. The books help with the child's language learning by bombarding them with unrealistic sound goals. He wrote introductions and stories about the titles.

Mayall appeared on Let's Dance for Comic Relief on March 5th, 2011, in which he appeared on stage and assaulted Ade Edmondson with a frying pan during his performance of The Dying Swan ballet. Edmondson said backstage that it was the first time in eight years they'd done something like this together, and Mayall had a small bump on his head. It will be the last time the pair performed in public for the first time.

Mayall revived Alan B'Stard's image in a satirical television commercial for the No2AV campaign in the United Kingdom in April 2011. The character is shown to be elected under the new voting system and then using his newly gained clout to repent on his campaign commitments. Rik Mayall did not endorse the alternative election in his personal life. Mayall became the eponymous 'Bombardier' in a television advertising campaign for Bombardier Bitter in the United Kingdom in May 2011. When they were found to violate Ofcom policy by linking alcohol with sexual appearance or success, the advertisements put broadcaster UKTV Dave in jeopardy with Ofcom.

Edmondson and Mayall's characters of Richie and Eddie will be returning in 2013 in Hooligan's Island, the BBC's television version of the 1997 tour of the same name. However, Edmondson revealed on October 15, 2012, during a BBC radio presenter Mark Powlett's interview, that the project was postponed until production because he wanted to pursue other interests.

Mayall appeared in The Last Hurrah, a six-episode, full-cast audio collection co-written with Craig Green and Dominic Vince in September 2012.

On the Me Books app in November 2012, Mayall narrated many children's books, including The Getaway and Banana. Ed Vere, a children's illustrator and writer, has written a book about him.

Despite being only ten years older, Greg Davies appeared on Channel 4's Man Down in October 2013.

Mayall performed one of his last recorded performances on English rock band Magic Eight Ball's second album, 'Last Of The Old Romantics,' on Mayall on Saturday, on Mayall's second album 'Last Of The Old Romantics,' (unveiled on November 10, 2014.)

Mayall's last television appearance appeared in the first episode of Crackanory's second series, which was broadcast posthumously on September 24, 2014.

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Awards and nominations

• 1993 – British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actor – won
• 1997 – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance – won