Al Murray

Oxford educated comedian Al Murray is the son of a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army, grandson of a diplomat, and the great-great-great grandson of famed novelist William Thackeray. All of which is far removed from his character ''The Pub Landlord,'' which has earned him legions of fans, endless accolades and a vibrant television and stand-up career. An ale-swilling, right-wing British lout who spews sexist, racist and homophobic views with gleeful abandon, Murray's pub owner was a character he created while performing a support act for comedian Harry Hill in 1994. The character gained a following on the stand-up circuit and Murray debuted him on the comedy "Time Gentlemen Please" in 2000, after a successful stint on the TV show " Harry Hill" playing the star's dimwitted brother. Murray spent the rest of the 2000s honing his stand-up act and bringing his Pub Landlord persona into British living rooms via a series of live concert TV specials, including " The Secret Policeman's Ball" in 2006. He also branched out somewhat when he began hosting his own talk show as The Pub Landlord called "Happy Hour