Richard Ayoade

An intelligent comedian-actor-writer-director, Richard Ayoade had his start in theater and comedy before breaking through for his horror/comedy hybrid "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" (Channel 4, 2004). Scoring on the sketch comedy "The Mighty Boosh" (BBC Three, 2004-05) as the belligerent Saboo, Ayoade boosted his profile considerably with his charming turn as alpha geek Maurice Moss, flummoxed by the corporate culture that surrounded him and his fellow members of "The IT Crowd" (Channel 4, 2006-10). His success on the show opened American doors, including landing a role on the never-aired American remake, and he was tapped to star alongside Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller and Jonah Hill in the sci-fi comedy "The Watch" (2012). He also directed multiple music videos, especially for close pals the Arctic Monkeys, and wrote and directed the acclaimed indie hit "Submarine" (2010), which earned him a BAFTA nomination. A multifaceted talent with wide-ranging creative gifts, Richard Ayoade seemed poised to conquer America as charmingly as he had his native United Kingdom.