Culture Profile

Eddie Izzard

Actor, Comedian, Executive Transvestite By Jim Allen

Leading standup comic with a penchant for transvestitism, discursive style, and knack for exploring the comedic side of European history

While Eddie Izzard's penchant for transvestitism (both onstage and off) likely didn't hurt in establishing a distinctive image, it was his spontaneous, discursive style and knack for exploring the comedic side of European history that made him a leading standup comic in England in the 1990s. At the end of the decade, Izzard's career started really gathering steam in the States as well, largely on the strength of his Emmy-winning HBO special Dress To Kill. Before long he was performing at top American concert venues and on Broadway. At the same time, Izzard developed a fruitful film career, appearing in a long list of movies including The Cat's Meow, Ocean's Twelve and its follow-up, and Velvet Goldmine. He even became an American TV star, winning two further Emmy awards for his work on the series The Riches. When that show went off the air, Izzard returned to stand-up comedy, and in 2009 announced an interest in running for political office.

TAGS: British Comedy, Broadway, Comedy, Cross-Dressing, Drag, Emmy Awards, European History, Standup Comedy, Surrealism, Transvestite, TV,

FACTS: ; Location: Aden, Yemen; Eddie Izzard

  • Culture Review

    Circle

    Eddie Izzard
  • Culture Review

    Dress To Kill

    Eddie Izzard
  • Culture Review

    Glorious

    Eddie Izzard
  • Culture Review

    Definite Article

    Eddie Izzard
  • TV & Film Review

    The Riches

    Dmitry Lipkin
  • TV & Film Review

    Velvet Goldmine

    Todd Haynes
  • TV & Film Profile

    David Mamet Playwright. Screenwriter, Director

  • TV & Film Profile

    Ethan Coen Eclectic American Filmmaker, Brother of Joel

    By Eric Schneider

    The other half of one of the most revered creative… >>

  • TV & Film Profile

    George Clooney Actor, Director

  • TV & Film Profile

    Joel Coen Eclectic American Filmmaker, Brother of Ethan

    By Eric Schneider

    One half of one of the most revered creative teams… >>

  • TV & Film Profile

    Minnie Driver Actress, SInger-Songwriter

  • TV & Film Profile

    Steven Soderbergh Eclectic, Unpredictable Hollywood Maverick

    By Josh Ralske

    A creative chameleon, surprisingly consistent in his work’s thoughtfulness and… >>

  • Culture Profile

    Bill Hicks Comedian

  • Culture Profile

    Billy Connolly Britain's First Alternative Comedian

  • Culture Profile

    Christopher Marlowe British Dramatist

  • Music Profile

    Lord Buckley Poet, Comic

  • Culture Profile

    Professor Irwin Corey Comedian

  • Culture Profile

    Ricky Gervais The Master Of Cringeworthy Comedy

    By Jim Allen

    Actor, writer and director turns public humiliation into hilarious comedy

    >>
  • Culture Profile

    Bob Newhart Comic Icon

  • TV & Film Profile

    Ernie Kovacs Actor, Writer

  • Culture Profile

    Lenny Bruce Pioneering iconoclastic comic

    By Jim Allen

    A Kerouac of stand-up comedy.

    >>
  • Culture Profile

    Marty Feldman Slapstick British Comedian

  • TV & Film Profile

    Mel Brooks Director, Writer, Actor

  • TV & Film Profile

    Monty Python Legendary British Comedy Ensemble