Biography
James Anthony Patrick Carr (born September 15, 1972), known professionally as Jimmy Carr, is a talented comedian, host, writer, and actor from Hounslow, London, England.
He is best known for his dry delivery of controversial jokes and dark humor and has become a popular figure in the UK comedy scene.
Early Life
Jimmy Carr was born and raised in Hounslow, London, England, and he happens to be the second son of his Irish mom, Nora Mary, and Patrick James, a British accountant who later worked as treasurer for Unisys. His parents were married in 1970 and separated in 1994, but they never officially divorced.
Jimmy spent a significant portion of his childhood in Farnham Common, a village in Buckinghamshire. He received education at Farnham Common School and Burnham Grammar School before finishing his sixth form at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe nearby.
In 2001, Jimmy‘s mother, Nora Mary, passed away from pancreatitis at age 57. After her death, Carr’s relationship with his father became highly strained. In 2004, his father was arrested on charges of harassing Jimmy and his brother Colin. However, he was cleared and received an apology from the Metropolitan Police. In 2021, Jimmy stated that he had not spoken to his father since 2000 and had only seen him in person once, at an autograph signing after a gig in 2015.
Education
After obtaining four A grades at A-Level, he attended Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he read social science and political science. In 1994, he graduated with first-class honors.
Afterward, he took a course in neuro-linguistic programming, which he believed helped him understand how his mind was preventing him from pursuing his dream of becoming a comedian. Within a month, he started performing stand-up comedy, and one month after that, he did his first paid stand-up gig, though he had previously done an unpaid debut pub show.
Career
Jimmy‘s career started with a degree in college and a job in the marketing department of Shell. However, in 2000, he took a leap of faith and left his job to pursue a career in stand-up comedy after his first paid performance.
He made his first appearance on British television in the early 2000s and quickly gained recognition for his unique style and delivery. He has since gone on to host several television shows, including the popular panel show “8 Out of 10 Cats,” and has performed stand-up comedy worldwide.
In 2005, Jimmy became the host of the popular Channel 4 comedy series “8 Out of 10 Cats”, where he invites guests to discuss current events and polls. He also hosted the spin-off show “8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown,” which combined elements of the classic game show “Countdown” with comedy.
He also hosts the annual “Big Fat Quiz of the Year” event in December. Before that, he hosted the American version of the show “Distraction” on Comedy Central from 2004 to 2006.
In addition to hosting, Jimmy has also made appearances as a guest on various TV programs. He won £1,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation after appearing on “Deal or No Deal” on the show “Benchmark.” He has also been a guest on other popular shows such as “The Last Leg,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and the UK quiz show “QI.”
Jimmy’s hard work and talent have not gone unnoticed. He has received several nominations and awards for his work, including a nomination for the 2006 Rose d’Or award for “Best Game Show Host.”
He has also won several awards for his comedy, including the British Comedy Award for Best Live Comedian, the LAFTA Award for Funniest Man, and the LAFTA Best On-Screen Newcomer award in 2003. These accomplishments are a testament to Jimmy’s talent and longevity in the entertainment industry.
Personal Life
At 26, Jimmy faced what he calls “an early midlife crisis” that resulted in losing his belief in Catholicism. He has since publicly criticized organized religion. In 2015, he commented, “I used to believe in the existence of a big man in the sky who could grant wishes, but writers like Hitchens and Dawkins changed my perspective. I don’t preach about atheism. I tell jokes,” He said.
Jimmy underwent therapy, including neuro-linguistic programming, to cope with his loss of faith, and is now qualified as a therapist.
Jimmy is married to Karoline Copping, a commissioning editor for Channel 5. The two have been in a relationship since 2001
Awards & Nominations
- Time Out Award: Best Stand Up (2002)
- Perrier Award Nomination (2002)
- Royal Television Society Award: Best On-Screen Newcomer (2003)
- LAFTA Award: Best Stand Up (2004)
- Rose D’Or Nomination: Best Presenter, Distraction (2004)
- LAFTA Award: Funniest Man (2005)
- British Comedy Award: Best Live Stand-Up (2006)
- LAFTA Award: Funniest Man (2007)
- LAFTA Award: Best Stand Up (2008)
- LAFTA Award: Loaded Legend (2011)
Filmography
- Alien autopsy
- Confetti
- Storm Breaker
- I want candy
- Telstar
- The comedian’s guide to survival
- Magik
Social Media
- Twitter @Jimmy Carr
- Facebook @Jimmy Carr
- Instagram @Jimmycarr
Networth
The comedian, who is English, has generated significant income through his acting pursuits. Additionally, he has gained revenue from writing books and hosting shows. According to credible sources, his net worth is around US$15.8 million.