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{{short description|British actor, author, comedian, director, and playwright (born 1959)}}
{{BLP sources|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Ben Elton
| honorific-suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AM}}
| image              = BenElton.jpg
| caption            = Elton in 2009
| birth_name         = Benjamin Charles Elton
| birth_date         = 3 May 1959 (age 66)
| birth_place        = [[Fitzrovia]], [[London]], England
| death_date         =
| death_place        =
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Actor
* author
* comedian
* director
* writer}}
| father             = [[Lewis Elton]]
| years_active       = 1981–present
| alma_mater         = [[University of Manchester]]
| notable_works      = ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]''<br />''[[Blackadder]]''<br />''[[Filthy Rich & Catflap]]''<br />''[[Mr. Bean]]''<br />''[[The Thin Blue Line (British TV series)|The Thin Blue Line]]''<br />''[[Upstart Crow]]''
| citizenship        = {{flatlist|
* [[British nationality law|United Kingdom]]
* [[Australian nationality law|Australia]]
}}
| spouse             = {{marriage|Sophie Gare|1994}}
| children           = 3
| relatives          = {{plainlist|
* [[Victor Ehrenberg (historian)|Victor Ehrenberg]] (grandfather)
* [[Geoffrey Elton|Sir Geoffrey Elton]] (uncle)
* [[Dame Olivia Newton-John]] (third cousin)
* [[Victor Ehrenberg (jurist)|Victor Ehrenberg]] (great-great-uncle)
}}
}}
'''Benjamin Charles Elton'''<!--Note: he was never christened Ehrenberg, see Talk page--> (born 3 May 1959) is a British comedian and writer. He has written and produced for television, radio, films, novels, theatre and musicals, and has performed as a stand-up comedian and on screen. One of the major figures in the [[alternative comedy]] movement of the 1980s, he used a style of [[left-wing]] [[political satire]] in his early stand-up comedy. 

He co-wrote the TV sitcoms ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'', ''[[Blackadder]]'' and ''[[Mr. Bean]]'', and was the sole writer for other sitcoms such as ''[[Filthy, Rich & Catflap]]'', ''[[The Thin Blue Line (British TV series)|The Thin Blue Line]]'' and ''[[Upstart Crow]]''. As of 2025, he has published sixteen novels in [[dystopia]]n, comedy, and [[Crime Fiction|crime]] genres, and an autobiography. He wrote the stage musicals ''[[The Beautiful Game (musical)|The Beautiful Game]]'' (2000), ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'' (2002), ''[[Tonight's the Night (2003 musical)|Tonight's the Night]]'' (2003), and ''[[Love Never Dies (musical)|Love Never Dies]]'' (2010).

==Early life and education==
Benjamin Charles Elton<ref name=am>{{Cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2013445 |title=Mr Benjamin Charles ELTON: Member of the Order of Australia| website=Australian Honours Search Facility|date=12 June 2023 |publisher=[[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)]] |access-date= 20 Nov 2024| quote=For significant service to the entertainment industry as a comedian, actor, writer and director.}}</ref> was born at [[University College Hospital]] in [[Fitzrovia]], London,<ref>{{cite news | title = Private Ben | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/private-ben-743480.html | date = 3 October 1999 | access-date = 23 April 2015 | work = [[The Independent]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Ben Elton|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/ben_elton/|access-date=2020-11-13|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB}}</ref> the son of Mary (née Foster), an English teacher from [[Cheshire]],<ref>{{cite news | title = Relative Values: Ben Elton and his father | url = https://www.thetimes.com/article/relative-values-ben-elton-and-his-father-wplvb3xxm2p | date = 15 March 2009 | access-date = 1 August 2024 | work = [[The Sunday Times]] | publisher = [[News UK]] }}</ref> and physicist and educational researcher [[Lewis Elton]]. He is a nephew of the historian [[Geoffrey Elton|Sir Geoffrey Elton]] and a third cousin of singer [[Olivia Newton-John]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/jan/10/picasso-lightbox-woking-exhibition | location=London |work= [[The Guardian]] | first=Maev | last=Kennedy | title=Picasso, Cocteau and Chagall paintings to be exhibited at Lightbox in Woking | date=10 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Rich|first1=Mari|last2=Smith|first2=Olivia J.|last3=Thompson|first3=Clifford|title=World Authors, 1995–2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4qojAQAAIAAJ|year=2003|publisher=H.W. Wilson|isbn=9780824210328}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=The wide–ranging family history of Max Born|author=G. V. R. Born|journal=Notes and Records|year=2002 |volume=56|issue=2|pages=219–262|url=https://doi.org/10.1098/rsnr.2002.0180|publisher=The Royal Society|doi=10.1098/rsnr.2002.0180 |s2cid=72026412 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Elton's father is from a [[German-Jewish]] family and Elton's mother, who was raised in the [[Church of England]], is of British background.<ref>{{cite web |work=Star Times |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4289797a4501.html |title=Elton sees stupid future |access-date=1 November 2009 |archive-date=30 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130180655/http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4289797a4501.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-21030291_ITM |title=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire (2004) |website=Accessmylibrary.com |date=17 April 2004 |access-date=1 November 2009}}</ref>

Elton grew up in [[Catford]], [[South London]], before moving with his family to [[Guildford]], Surrey in 1968, where he became involved in [[amateur dramatics]] groups.<ref name=":0">{{cite news | title = Ben Elton Recounts His Guildford Childhood As He Helps Celebrate Institute's Refurbishment | url = http://www.guildford-dragon.com/2013/10/24/ben-elton-recounts-guildford-childhood-helps-celebrate-institutes-refurbishment/ | date = 24 October 2013 | access-date = 23 April 2015 | work = The Guildford Dragon | archive-date = 24 September 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024146/http://www.guildford-dragon.com/2013/10/24/ben-elton-recounts-guildford-childhood-helps-celebrate-institutes-refurbishment/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> Reflecting on those times at an event in Guildford in 2013, Elton said:
{{blockquote|I started with the Curtain Raisers in Onslow Village. Yes, we did Peter Pan in 1969 and mum persuaded me to go along to the audition. For me it was literally an Epiphany. My road to Damascus was Friar's Gate. I had an absolute revelation. I loved the theatre and I knew I wanted to be involved in story telling and the public arts. From that moment onwards I was completely hooked.<ref name=":0" />}}Raised in a loving<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashe |first=Eliza |date=2012-12-01 |title=What I know about women |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/what-i-know-about-women-20121127-2a5e2.html |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> non-religious home,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Brothers-divided-extreme-reasons/story-17454959-detail/story.html |title=Brothers divided for the most extreme reasons |publisher=This is Lincolnshire |date=29 November 2012 |access-date=2 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928010824/http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/Brothers-divided-extreme-reasons/story-17454959-detail/story.html |archive-date=28 September 2013 }}</ref> he is an [[atheist]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Tryhorn | first = Chris |title=BBC 'scared' of Islam jokes, says Elton|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/apr/02/bbc.television3 | work = [[The Guardian]] |access-date=5 March 2014|date=2 April 2008|quote=Elton described himself as an atheist but said he was in favour of God defined as "the mystery of the universe".}}</ref> Elton studied at Stillness Junior School and [[Godalming Grammar School]] in Surrey, before leaving home at age 16 to study theatre at [[Stratford-upon-Avon College|South Warwickshire College]] in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-07-02|title=Ben Elton: I was never able to say goodbye to Rik|url=https://www.bigissue.com/interviews/ben-elton-i-was-never-able-to-say-goodbye-to-rik-mayall/|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Big Issue|language=en}}</ref> where he took and passed [[A-levels]] in English, History and Theatre Studies. In 1977 he went to study drama at the [[Victoria University of Manchester|University of Manchester]], where he met [[Rik Mayall]] and [[Adrian Edmondson]], and in 1980 he graduated with [[upper second-class honours]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2002-04-17|title=Ben Elton: You ask the questions|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ben-elton-you-ask-questions-9137664.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Funny Business|last=Housham|first=David|publisher=Boxtree|year=1992|isbn=9781852837921|pages=80}}</ref>

== Career ==

===Television===
Upon university graduation in 1980, Elton joined the BBC and became their youngest ever scriptwriter.<ref name=":1" />

His first television appearance came in 1981 as a stand-up performer on the BBC1 youth and music programme ''[[Oxford Road Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BFI Screenonline: Elton, Ben (1958-) Biography|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/476796/index.html|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.screenonline.org.uk}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> His first TV success, at 23, came as co-writer of the television sitcom ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'', in which he occasionally appeared.

In 1983/84 he wrote and appeared in [[Granada Television]]'s sketch show ''[[Alfresco (TV series)|Alfresco]]'', which was also notable for early appearances by [[Stephen Fry]], [[Hugh Laurie]], [[Emma Thompson]] and [[Robbie Coltrane]]. In 1985, Elton produced his first solo script for the BBC with his comedy-drama series ''[[Happy Families (1985 TV series)|Happy Families]]'', starring [[Jennifer Saunders]] and [[Adrian Edmondson]]. Elton appeared in the fifth episode as a liberal prison governor. Shortly afterwards, he reunited [[Rik Mayall]] and Edmondson with their ''Young Ones'' co-star [[Nigel Planer]] for the showbiz send-up sitcom ''[[Filthy, Rich & Catflap]]''.

In 1985 Elton began his writing partnership with [[Richard Curtis]]. Together they wrote  ''[[Blackadder II]]'', ''[[Blackadder the Third]]'', ''[[Blackadder Goes Forth]]'', and a failed sitcom pilot for [[Madness (band)|Madness]]. ''[[Blackadder]]'', starring [[Rowan Atkinson]], was a worldwide hit, winning four [[BAFTA]]s and an [[Emmy]].

Elton and Curtis were inspired to write ''[[Blackadder Goes Forth]]'' upon finding [[World War I]] to be apt for a situation comedy. This series, which dealt with greater, darker themes than prior ''Blackadder'' episodes, was praised for Curtis's and Elton's scripts, in particular [[Goodbyeee|the final episode]]. Before writing the series, the pair read about the war and found that: {{blockquote|All the lead up to the first World War was very funny. All the people coming from communities where they'd never bumped into posh people and all being so gung ho and optimistic. The first hundred pages of any book about the world war are hilarious, then of course everybody dies.<ref>{{cite news | title = I Have a Cunning Plan: 20 Years of Blackadder | url = http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/75e26fa6213945c992d2e177c8a4aa32 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150927224504/http://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/75e26fa6213945c992d2e177c8a4aa32 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 27 September 2015 | publisher = [[BBC Radio 4]] | date = 3 June 2003 | access-date = 23 April 2015 }}</ref>}}

Elton and Curtis also wrote Atkinson's 1986 stage show ''The New Revue'', and [[Mr. Bean]]'s "exam" episode.

Elton became a stand-up comedian primarily to showcase his own writing, but became one of Britain's biggest live comedy acts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/events/html/events/1/81818.html |title=Brisbane – Ben Elton – Queensland Performing Arts Centre |website=Ourbrisbane.com |access-date=1 November 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930210004/http://www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/events/html/events/1/81818.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> After a regular slot on ''[[Saturday Live (British TV programme)|Saturday Live]]'' – later moved and renamed ''Friday Night Live '' – which was seen as a UK version of the US's ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', he became the host of the programme.

In 1990 he starred in his own stand-up comedy and sketch series, ''[[Ben Elton: The Man from Auntie]]'', which had a second series in 1994. (The title plays on ''[[The Man from UNCLE]]'': "Auntie" is a nickname for the BBC.) In 1989 Elton won the Royal Television Society Writers' Award.

Elton wrote and produced ''[[The Thin Blue Line (British TV series)|The Thin Blue Line]]'', a studio-based sitcom set in a police station, also starring Rowan Atkinson, which ran for two series in 1995 and 1996. A prime-time family show with traditional format and characters, it won the 1995 British Comedy Award and both the public and professional Jury Awards at Reims.
 
''[[The Ben Elton Show]]'' (1998) followed a format similar to ''The Man from Auntie'' and featured [[Ronnie Corbett]], a comedian of the old guard that the "[[alternative comedy|alternative comedians]]" of the 1980s were the direct alternative to, as a regular guest. It was Elton's last high-profile network programme in the UK as a stand-up comedian.

Elton wrote the six-part sitcom ''[[Blessed (TV series)|Blessed]]'', starring [[Ardal O'Hanlon]] as a record producer, first broadcast on BBC1 in 2005. No further series was commissioned.

In April 2007, ''[[Get A Grip (TV series)|Get a Grip]]'', a new show, began on [[ITV1]]. Featuring comic sketches similar to those on ''The Ben Elton Show'' and staged studio discussion between Elton and 23-year-old [[Alexa Chung]], the show's aim was to "contrast Elton's middle-aged viewpoint with Chung's younger perspective" (although Elton was responsible for the scripts).

In 2008, Elton accused the BBC of allowing jokes about [[vicar]]s but not [[imam]]s. "And I believe that part of it is due to the genuine fear that the authorities and the communities have about provoking the radical elements of [[Islam]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/april-2008/high-profile/positive-spin.aspx|title=Positive spin|author=Cary, James|work=Third Way|access-date=21 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006070814/http://www.thirdwaymagazine.co.uk/editions/april-2008/high-profile/positive-spin.aspx|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 10 October 2010, Elton headlined the first episode of ''[[Dave's One Night Stand]]''.

Elton worked on ''[[Ben Elton Live From Planet Earth]]'', a [[Live television|live]] one-hour comedy show which debuted on 8 February 2011 on the [[Nine Network]] in Australia.<ref>Quinn, Karl: [http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/turning-back-the-clock-for-oldstyle-tv-variety-20110207-1ak3e.html Turning back the clock for old-style TV variety], ''The Age'', 8 February 2011.</ref> Live from Planet Earth was axed by the Nine Network on Wednesday 23 February 2011 after three episodes, despite having six commissioned.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/eltons-live-comedy-show-dies-after-three-episodes-20110223-1b5k4.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Elton's live comedy show dies after three episodes | date=24 February 2011}}</ref> The show's final airing rated 200,000 viewers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/23/3147002.htm |title=Nine axes Elton's comedy show – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |newspaper=ABC News |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=11 August 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110628233016/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/23/3147002.htm| archive-date= 28 June 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, ''[[The Wright Way]]'', a new sitcom for BBC1 was commissioned, written and produced by Elton and starring [[David Haig]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2012/08/new-sitcom-from-ben-elton.html |title=New sitcom from Ben Elton |website=TV Tonight |date=3 August 2012 |access-date=2 February 2013}}</ref> Filming for a full six-part series of the sitcom (earlier titled ''Slings and Arrows'') was completed in late February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kacey Ainsworth, Rufus Jones & Michael Falzon Cast in BBC One's Ben Elton Sitcom|url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2013/01/kacey-ainsworth-rufus-jones-michael-falzon-cast-in-bbc-ones-ben-elton-sitcom/|access-date=28 January 2013|author=Patrick Munn|date=5 January 2013}}</ref> It debuted in April 2013 to negative reviews.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cole|first=Tom|title=Ben Elton's The Wright Way rubs critics up the wrong way|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-04-24/ben-eltons-the-wright-way-rubs-critics-up-the-wrong-way|magazine=Radio Times|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-date=26 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426232052/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-04-24/ben-eltons-the-wright-way-rubs-critics-up-the-wrong-way|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sherwin|first=Adam|title=Ben Elton mauled by critics after getting BBC sitcom The Wright Way badly wrong|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/ben-elton-mauled-by-critics-after-getting-bbc-sitcom-the-wright-way-badly-wrong-8586544.html|access-date=27 April 2013|newspaper=The Independent|date=24 April 2013}}</ref>

In 2016 Elton wrote the sitcom ''[[Upstart Crow]]'', parodying the writing and family life of [[William Shakespeare]], and starring [[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]] as Shakespeare. This programme ran for a second series in 2017, and a third series in 2018. A Christmas Special was aired on 21 December 2020.<ref>[[List of Upstart Crow episodes]]</ref>

In June 2023, Elton presented ''Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster'', a [[Channel 4]] documentary about [[rail privatisation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-zjb11t/ben-elton-the-great-railway-disaster-season-1/?episode=b-b4ixp1|title=Ben Elton: The Great Railway Disaster|website=radiotimes.com|access-date=28 June 2023}}</ref>

Elton returned to live British television on Channel 4 on 21 October 2022 as "Ringmaster"/host of a revival of ''Friday Night Live'', celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of Channel 4 and as part of their ''Truth and Dare'' season.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Harry Enfield, Jo Brand, Julian Clary and more join Ben Elton for Friday Night Live {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/harry-enfield-jo-brand-julian-clary-and-more-join-ben-elton-friday-night-live |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=www.channel4.com}}</ref> On the day of the broadcast, Elton admitted that because of the fluid British political situation, "I honestly haven't written the first five minutes yet!"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-21 |title=TV tonight: for one night only, Ben Elton hosts Friday Night Live |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/oct/21/tv-tonight-for-one-night-only-ben-elton-hosts-friday-night-live |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Friday Night Live announces star-studded line-up for Channel 4 return |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/friday-night-live-channel-4-return-line-up-newsupdate/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Radio Times |language=en}}</ref>

=== Radio ===
Elton starred with [[Adrian Edmondson]] in a sitcom based on the song "[[Teenage Kicks]]" for [[BBC Radio 2]]. A television version of ''[[Teenage Kicks (TV series)|Teenage Kicks]]'' for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] has been made; Elton appeared in the pilot but was replaced by [[Mark Arden]] when it went to series production.

=== Novels ===
* ''[[Stark (novel)|Stark]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Gridlock (novel)|Gridlock]]'' (1991)
* ''[[This Other Eden (Elton novel)|This Other Eden]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Popcorn (novel)|Popcorn]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Blast from the Past (novel)|Blast from the Past]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Inconceivable (novel)|Inconceivable]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Dead Famous (novel)|Dead Famous]]'' (2001)
* ''[[High Society (novel)|High Society]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Past Mortem]]'' (2004)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stevedow.com.au/default.aspx?id=176 |title=Steve Dow, journalist |website=Stevedow.com.au |access-date=11 August 2011| quote=We'd had a very happy time all together, so there were no old scores to be settled really, we'd been a pretty happy bunch... I didn't think my life to be more successful than anybody else's. If you're happy and honest and fulfilled in what you do, then you're having a successful life.}}</ref>
* ''[[The First Casualty]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Chart Throb]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Blind Faith (novel)|Blind Faith]]'' (2007)
* ''Meltdown'' (2010)
* ''[[Two Brothers (novel)|Two Brothers]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Time and Time Again (novel)|Time and Time Again]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Identity Crisis (novel)|Identity Crisis]]'' (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/identity-crisis-by-ben-elton-9780552771290|title=Identity Crisis|access-date=12 April 2019}}</ref>

==== Autobiography ====

* What Have I Done? (2025)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maxwell |first=Dominic |date=2025-10-07 |title=Ben Elton: Blackadder, The Young Ones and getting roasted on Newsnight |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/memoir-of-a-motormouth-58d7c685v |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Films ===
Elton appeared in amateur dramatic productions as a youth, notably as [[The Artful Dodger]] in the musical ''[[Oliver!]]''<ref>{{Cite web|author=Stephanie Merritt |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/nov/07/crimebooks.features |title=Guardian Unlimited Books – Mystery Man | work = [[The Guardian]] |date=7 November 2004 |access-date=11 August 2011}}</ref>

While in bit parts in his own TV series, he began professional film acting as CD in ''[[Stark (TV miniseries)|Stark]]'', the Australian/BBC TV series adaptation of his novel, in 1993. This was directed by [[Nadia Tass]] and filmed in Australia.

Elton played Verges in [[Kenneth Branagh]]'s film adaptation of [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Much Ado About Nothing (1993 film)|Much Ado About Nothing]]'', also in 1993.<ref>{{cite book |title=Film stars: Hollywood and beyond |last=Willis |first=Andrew |year=2004 |publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] |location=Manchester |isbn=0-7190-5645-4 |page=169 }}</ref>

==== Writing and directing ====
Elton wrote and directed the film adaptation of his novel ''Inconceivable'', under the title ''[[Maybe Baby (film)|Maybe Baby]]'' (2000) starring [[Hugh Laurie]] and [[Joely Richardson]]. It was a moderate UK success and distributed globally. The film was also nominated for a prize at Germany's Emden Film Festival.

In 2015, Elton wrote a song for [[The Wiggles]] for the Wiggle Town DVD and CD: ''The Wonder of Wiggle Town''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westernweekender.com.au/2016/02/wiggling-into-penrith/|title=Wiggling into Penrith|first=Kate|last=Reid|date=23 February 2016|website=Westernweekender.com.au|access-date=7 August 2018}}</ref>

''[[Three Summers]]'', a romantic comedy film written and directed by Elton, and filmed in Western Australia, was released in 2017.<ref name="threesummers">{{cite news|title=Ben Elton reveals Aussie movie|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/upcoming-movies/adopted-aussie-ben-elton-begins-filming-his-first-australian-movie-in-wa/news-story/8c8627b5fc0d6a6e6c85e9af246dd046|access-date=2 August 2017|website=News.com.au}}</ref>

Elton wrote ''[[All is True (film)|All is True]]'', released 2018, a speculative story of [[William Shakespeare]]'s years in [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] after his retirement from the theatre and move from London. Along with the filmcraft and acting, returning to collaboration with [[Kenneth Branagh]], ''All is True'' shows Elton giving a more serious and biographical perspective to some of the same characters who appear in ''[[Upstart Crow]]''.

=== Musicals ===
Elton collaborated with [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] on ''[[The Beautiful Game (musical)|The Beautiful Game]]'' in 2000, writing the book and lyrics (Lloyd Webber wrote the music). ''The Beautiful Game'' won the London Critics Circle Award for best new musical.

He went on to write compilation shows featuring popular songs from the catalogues of pop/rock artists. The first was the musical ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'' with music by [[Queen (band)|Queen]]. Despite unfavourable early reaction, this was successful in the [[West End theatre|West End]] and won the 2003 Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best New Musical.<ref>{{cite web|title=We Will Rock You|url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/we-will-rock-you|website=Londontheatre.co.uk|access-date=15 March 2013|author=Alan Bird|date=17 May 2002}}</ref> It has since opened in the US, Australia, Russia, Spain, South Africa, Japan, Germany, [[Switzerland]], Sweden, Canada, and The [[Netherlands]]. Elton also directed the 10th Anniversary Arena tour, in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=We Will Rock You revival set to tour Australia, arena style|url=http://aussietheatre.com.au/news/we-will-rock-you-revival-set-to-tour-australia-arena-style/|website=AussieTheatre.com|access-date=15 March 2013|author=Erin James|date=8 July 2012}}</ref> The musical ran for 12 years in London.<ref>{{cite news | last = Moreton | first = Cole | title = Ben Elton, interview: 'Michael Gove made an arse of himself' | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11216107/Ben-Elton-Michael-Gove-Blackadder-first-world-war.html | date = 11 November 2014 | access-date = 23 April 2015 | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] }}</ref> The character of Pop was originally played by Elton's ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'', co-star, [[Nigel Planer]].

His second compilation musical was ''[[Tonight's The Night (2003 musical)|Tonight's the Night]]'', based on the songs of [[Rod Stewart]], which opened in London's West End in November 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tonights The Night London theatre stage show|url=http://www.thisistheatre.com/londonshows/tonightsthenight.html|access-date=2020-11-15|website=www.thisistheatre.com}}</ref>

Elton worked with Lloyd Webber on the musical ''[[Love Never Dies (musical)|Love Never Dies]]'', which opened in London's West End in 2010. It was the sequel to Lloyd Webber's ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'' (1986).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-03-08|title=Love Never Dies {{!}} The Show {{!}} A Note From The Composer|url=http://www.loveneverdies.com/the-show/a-note-from-the-composer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308065309/http://www.loveneverdies.com/the-show/a-note-from-the-composer|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-03-08|access-date=2020-11-15}}</ref>

Elton directed a new 20th anniversary tour of ''[[We Will Rock You (musical)|We Will Rock You]]'', that opened in February 2022 and visited over 25 cities in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|title=We Will Rock You 20th anniversary tour to be directed by Ben Elton {{!}} WhatsOnStage|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/liverpool-theatre/news/we-will-rock-you-20th-anniversary-tour-ben-elton_55371.html|access-date=2021-11-22|website=www.whatsonstage.com|date=19 November 2021 |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was scheduled to, make his theatre debut as the Rebel Leader (previously known as Pop) in a production of the show in 2023 at the [[London Coliseum]] from 2 June to 27 August. The 3 main cast members from the touring production will also be starring.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/we-will-rock-you-announces-full-west-end-cast-_58724.html/ | title="We Will Rock You" announces full West End cast – with Ben Elton set to make stage debut | date=12 April 2023 }}</ref>

Elton wrote and directed ''[[Twiggy The Musical]]'', a jukebox musical based on the life of ''[[Twiggy]],'' which had its world premiere at the [[Menier Chocolate Factory|Menier Chocolate Factory, London]] in September 2023 (originally titled ''Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical'') and will tour the UK from September 2025.

=== Plays ===
Elton has written five West End plays.
* ''Gasping'' (1990) was first performed at the [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]], London. It starred [[Hugh Laurie]] and featured the voice of [[Stephen Fry]].
* ''Silly Cow'' (1991) again at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London. It was written for and starred [[Dawn French]].
* ''Popcorn'' (1996) was adapted for the stage and went on a UK tour. It also toured Australia in a production starring [[Marcus Graham]] and [[Nadine Garner]] in its Eastern-States seasons. ''Popcorn'' won the [[TMA Awards|TMA]] Barclays Theatre Award for new play and the [[Olivier Award]] for comedy. The Paris production of ''Popcorn'' ran for a year and was nominated for seven Molière awards.
* ''Blast From the Past'' (1998) was also adapted for the stage and was produced at the [[West Yorkshire Playhouse]].
* ''[[The Upstart Crow]]'', like the TV series ''[[Upstart Crow]]'', a comic version of [[William Shakespeare]]'s life and society, and sharing some of the same actors and characters, opened in London on 7 February 2020. Starring [[David Mitchell (comedian)|David Mitchell]] as Shakespeare and [[Gemma Whelan]] as Kate, the play was intended to run until 25 April 2020, but only ran up to mid-March, with the remainder cancelled as a result of restrictions put in place due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/coronavirus-theatre-closure-events-west-end_51154.html |title=West End and UK Theatre venue performances cancelled due to coronavirus |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=16 March 2020 |website=What's on Stage |publisher= |access-date=2 April 2020 |quote=}}</ref> The play reopened in the West End at the [[Apollo Theatre]] for a ten-week season from 23 September until 3 December 2022.

=== Stand-up comedy ===
In 1981 Elton was hired by [[The Comedy Store (London)|The Comedy Store]] in London as [[Master of ceremonies|compère]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=2000-05-24 |title=Ben Elton: from Peter Pan to Maybe Baby |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/may/24/1 |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

He made two albums of comedy, ''Motormouth'' (1987) and ''Motorvation'' (1988).

In 2005 Elton toured for the first time since 1997, touring the UK with ''Get a Grip''. He toured Australia and New Zealand with the same show in 2006.

In September 2019, Elton embarked on a three-month UK stand-up tour, his first tour since 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thevoiceoflondon.co.uk/ben-eltons-first-tour-in-15-years/|title = Ben Elton's first tour in 15 years!|date = 7 December 2018}}</ref>

The New Zealand leg of the tour was interrupted in February 2020 by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He resumed it over a year later once trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel was launched.<ref name="stuffMay2021">
{{cite web
 |last1=Schulz
  |first1=Chris
  |title=Ben Elton on his NZ tour: 'I'm coming raw and ready'
  |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/300300414/ben-elton-on-his-nz-tour-im-coming-raw-and-ready
  |website=Stuff
  |date=6 May 2021
 |access-date=22 May 2021}}
</ref>

In 2022, his sell-out UK stand-up final show was held at the [[Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea|Palace Theatre Southend]]. It was filmed for broadcast on free to air, [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |title=Ben Elton and James Acaster's stand-up specials air this week : News 2023 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2023/12/10/54662/ben_elton_and_james_acasters_stand-up_specials_air_this_week |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

His stand up tour "Authentic Stupidity" toured the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in 2024 and 2025, touching on themes of AI and generational shifts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-10 |title=Ben Elton - Authentic Stupidity Tickets - London Theatre {{!}} West End Theatre |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/229828/shows/ben-elton-authentic-stupidity-tickets/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.westendtheatre.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Recognition and awards ==
===Personal honours===
Elton received an honorary doctorate in 2004 from the [[University of Manchester]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-08-12|title=Honorary encore for Ben|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/honorary-encore-for-ben-1154689|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Manchester Evening News|language=en}}</ref>

In 2007 he was awarded an Honorary Rose for lifetime achievement at the [[Rose d'Or|Rose d'Or festival]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2007-05-10|title=Channel 4 wins five Rose d'Or awards|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/may/10/channel4.broadcasting|access-date=2021-11-02|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> and was also made a Companion of the [[Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts]], in recognition of his work with students.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Catherine|date=2007-06-24|title=Macca school gong for star turns|url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/music/macca-school-gong-star-turns-3510344|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Liverpool Echo|language=en}}</ref>

In September 2016, Elton was bestowed with a [[Honorary degree|Doctor of Arts ''honoris causa'']] by [[Edith Cowan University]] in [[Perth]].<ref>{{cite journal| url=https://www.waapa.ecu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/721382/InsideWAAPA_Issue_45_Web.pdf| title=Honorary degree for Ben Elton|issue=45| journal= Inside WAAPA| page= 5| date=September 2016}}</ref>

In June 2023 he was made a [[Member of the Order of Australia]] (AM), for "significant service to the entertainment industry as a comedian, actor, writer and director".<ref name=am/>

===Awards for works===
Elton has won three [[BAFTA]]s for Best Comedy Series, for ''The Young Ones'', ''Blackadder the Third'' and ''Blackadder Goes Forth''.  ''Popcorn'' and ''We Will Rock You'' each won an [[Olivier Award]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Olivier Winners 1998|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1998/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Olivier Awards|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Olivier Winners 2011|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-2011/|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Olivier Awards|language=en-GB}}</ref> and ''The Beautiful Game'' was awarded the Best Musical at the [[Critics' Circle Theatre Award|Critics' Circle Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=2001-02-15|title=Critics honour Beautiful Game|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1171982.stm|access-date=2021-11-02}}</ref> ''The Man From Auntie'' won him a Royal Television Society Writer's Award and ''The Thin Blue Line'' won a British Comedy Award as well as Jury Award at Reims.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ben Elton |url=https://alwshowlicensing.com/song-writer/ben-elton/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Andrew Lloyd Webber Show Licensing |language=en-US}}</ref> The 2022 revival of Channel 4's " Friday Night Live " won a Royal Television Society Award and BAFTA for Best Comedy Entertainment programme.

His books have won the Crime Writers Association [[Gold Dagger Award]] for Crime Fiction (''Popcorn''), the Swedish Kaliber Award (''Popcorn''), WH Smiths People's Choice Fiction Award (''High Society'') and Prix Polar International Crime Writer Award (''Amitiès Mortelles'' for ''Past Mortem'', French edition).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ben Elton |url=https://enhancentertainment.com.au/ben-elton/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=Enhance Entertainment |language=en-AU}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Elton first met Australian bass player Sophie Gare in 1986 while working in Melbourne. A year later in Edinburgh, a newly-single Elton rekindled their friendship and they became a couple.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashe |first=Eliza |date=2012-12-01 |title=What I know about women |url=https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/what-i-know-about-women-20121127-2a5e2.html |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}</ref> The two married in 1994<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/face-of-the-day-ben-elton-1.228388|title=Face of the day: Ben Elton|first=Jacqueline|last=Wake|date=6 July 2000|work=The Herald Scotland}}</ref> and have three children. They settled in [[North Fremantle]], Perth Western Australia,<ref name="The West Australian"/> while maintaining a home in [[East Sussex]], England.<ref name="The West Australian">{{cite web |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/6462775/elton-set-to-call-freo-home/ |title=Ben Elton set to call Freo home &#124; The West Australian |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=12 November 2009 |access-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111202134240/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/6462775/elton-set-to-call-freo-home/ |archive-date=2 December 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> Elton holds dual British/Australian citizenship, the latter since 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Media/Media+Releases/Latest+Media+Releases/Ben+Elton+to+showcase+Western+Australia.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114065229/http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Media/Media%2BReleases/Latest%2BMedia%2BReleases/Ben%2BElton%2Bto%2Bshowcase%2BWestern%2BAustralia.htm |archive-date=14 November 2006 |title=Ben Elton to showcase Western Australia &#124; Tourism Western Australia |date=14 November 2006 |access-date=11 August 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> In 2014 he speculated on a future move back to London when their children have completed their schooling.<ref>{{cite news | last = Lang | first = Kirsty | author-link = Kirsty Lang | title = Ben Elton inspired by Michael Gove Blackadder criticism | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29914919 | publisher = [[BBC Radio 4]] | date = 5 November 2014 | access-date = 23 April 2015 }}</ref>

Elton has been nominated three times for the television series ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]'', first by broadcaster [[Anne Robinson]] in 2001,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anne Robinson Fan club - Articles, Interviews, Facts |url=http://www.annerobinsonfanclub.co.uk/ |access-date=2022-10-22 |website=www.annerobinsonfanclub.co.uk}}</ref> secondly by comedian [[Mark Steel]],<ref>{{cite web | title=Room 101 Series 11, Episode 4 | website=British Comedy Guide| url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/room_101/episodes/11/4/ | access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref> and also by comedian [[Stewart Lee]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cavendish |first=Dominic |date=2021-12-10 |title=Ben Elton: 'I recognise Mrs Thatcher was a woman of principle' |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/comedians/ben-elton-recognise-mrs-thatcher-woman-principle/ |access-date=2022-10-22 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

===Political views===
Elton champions [[left-wing politics]]. Prior to the [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987 general election]], Elton supported [[Red Wedge]] by participating in a comedy tour organised by the campaign.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.labourlist.org/my-generation-red-wedge-paul-richards-weller-bragg | title= Where will the next generation get its political anthems from? | work= Labour List | url-status=dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110716081859/http://www.labourlist.org/my-generation-red-wedge-paul-richards-weller-bragg | archive-date= 16 July 2011 | df= dmy-all }}</ref>

Elton was a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] supporter and was one of the party's biggest private financial donors in 1998.<ref>{{cite news | url= https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/161057.stm | title= 'Luvvies' for Labour |work=BBC News| date=30 August 1998 | access-date=26 April 2010}}</ref> He subsequently distanced himself from the party under [[Tony Blair]], although in April 2015, he stated he was "back with Labour" for the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|general election]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Elton | first = Ben | title = Comedian Ben Elton hits out at Myleene Klass over her mansion tax claims | url = https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/apr/04/comedian-ben-elton-hits-out-at-myleene-klass-over-her-mansion-tax-claims | date = 4 April 2015 | access-date = 23 April 2015 | work = [[The Guardian]] }}</ref>

Responding to criticism for writing a musical with [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] supporter [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]], Elton said, "If I were to refuse to talk to [[Tory|Tories]], I would narrow my social and professional scope considerably. If you judge all your relationships on a person's voting intentions, I think you miss out on the varieties of life."<ref>{{cite news|author=Close |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/may/30/2 |title=Ben Elton live on our talkboards | work = [[The Guardian]] |date=30 May 2000 |access-date=1 November 2009 | location=London}}</ref> He added, "I would have loved a honeymoon period, but I've been irritating journos from the beginning. Originally I was knocked for being too left-wing, and now apparently I've [[Selling out|sold out]] and I'm too [[right-wing]], but all the time I've been being me, and that certainly isn't the person I recognise in anything that's written about me." He has denied being anti-establishment. He also said he was a [[socialist]] at a time when "the media was on the whole slavishly worshipping of [[Margaret Thatcher|Thatcher]]".<ref name=HB>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10013315.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323011819/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10013315.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 March 2015|title=I've been irritating journos from the beginning |work=Sunday Herald|date=August 2011}}</ref> He said, "I believe in the politics of [[Clement Attlee]]. I'm a [[Welfare state in the United Kingdom|welfare state]] Labour voter."<ref name=HB/>

Elton parodied himself in the sketch "Benny Elton" for ''[[Harry Enfield and Chums]]'' in 1994, using the style of [[Benny Hill]] to send up Elton's "right on" socialist image as a politically correct spoilsport, chasing [[Page 3]] models around a park to chastise them and tricking heterosexual couples into becoming homosexual.<ref>{{cite web|author=Stas Bekman|url=http://stason.org/TULARC/tv/ben-elton/05-Television-all-broadcast-dates-are-UK-unless-otherwise-s.html |title=05 Television (all broadcast dates are UK unless otherwise stated) (Ben Elton) |website=Stason.org |date=5 March 1989 |access-date=11 August 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|255780}}
* [https://theartsdesk.com/comedy/theartsdesk-qa-comedian-ben-elton/ theartsdesk Q&A: Ben Elton] (9 October 2010)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130804232615/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/enoughrope/transcripts/s1689423.htm Interview with Andrew Denton on ABC TV Australia]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/profiles/ben_elton.shtml BBC Comedy Guide – Ben Elton]
* {{IBDB name|4462}}
* {{British Comedy Guide|people|ben_elton}}

{{Ben Elton}}
{{BRIT Awards}}
{{Authority control}}

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