Eddie Izzard
British comedian, actress, activist, and marathon runner.
Known for a whimsical, rambling monologue style, Eddie Izzard has built a career spanning comedy tours, film and television roles, and extensive charity marathon running. Born in Aden to English parents, Izzard spent early childhood in Northern Ireland and Wales. Her mother died of cancer when Izzard was six, after which she attended private schools and later studied drama at the University of Sheffield. She has stated she knew she was transgender at age four and wanted to be an actor at seven. Izzard began performing comedy on the streets of Covent Garden with a friend before working as a street performer in Europe and the United States. She developed her comedic voice by talking to audiences while performing solo escape acts. Her first stage appearance at the Comedy Store in London came in 1987, and her breakthrough arrived in 1991 with a televised "raised by wolves" routine. Izzard’s stand-up tours include *Live at the Ambassadors*, *Definite Article*, *Glorious*, *Dress to Kill*, *Circle*, *Stripped*, *Force Majeure*, and *Wunderbar*. She won two Primetime Emmys for *Dress to Kill* and earned a Tony nomination for her Broadway role in *A Day in the Death of Joe Egg*. Her acting credits include the television series *The Riches* and films such as *Ocean’s Twelve*, *Ocean’s Thirteen*, *Valkyrie*, and *Absolutely Anything*, as well as voice work in *Cars 2*, *The Lego Batman Movie*, and *Green Eggs and Ham*. In 2009, despite no running background, she completed 43 marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief, and in 2016 ran 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa for Nelson Mandela, raising £1.35 million. She performs stand-up in Arabic, French, German, Russian, and Spanish, and is an active supporter of Europeanism. A Labour Party activist, Izzard twice ran unsuccessfully for the party’s National Executive Committee and later joined as the most successful initially non-elected person after a resignation. She attempted to become a parliamentary candidate for Sheffield Central and Brighton Pavilion in 2022 and 2023 but was not selected.
- field
- Stand-up comedy, acting, activism
- nationality
- British
- known_for
- Comedy specials such as Dress to Kill, marathons for charity, Labour Party activism
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Eddie Izzard is a British stand-up comedian, actress, and activist whose comedic style is characterized by what appears to be rambling, whimsical monologues. She was born in Aden (then in the Aden Colony, now Yemen) to English parents; her father was an accountant for British Petroleum and her mother was a midwife and nurse. The family moved to Northern Ireland when she was a year old, settling in Bangor until she was five, then relocated to Skewen in Wales. Her mother died of cancer when Izzard was six. Following this loss, she attended private schools including St John’s School in Newton, St Bede’s Prep School in Eastbourne, and Eastbourne College, later studying drama at the University of Sheffield. Izzard has stated she knew she was transgender at age four. She began her performance career as a street performer in Europe and the United States, developing her comedic voice by talking to audiences during solo escape acts. Her first stage appearance at the Comedy Store in London was in 1987, and her breakthrough came in 1991 after a televised AIDS benefit routine. She has performed stand-up in French, Arabic, German, Russian, and Spanish, in addition to English. Beyond comedy, she has acted in television series such as *The Riches* and films including *Ocean’s Twelve*, *Valkyrie*, and *The Lego Batman Movie*, and has done voice work. Izzard is also a dedicated Labour Party activist and a long-distance runner, having completed multiple marathon challenges for charity.
Reader's Guide
Eddie Izzard's significance lies in her distinctive comedic voice—rambling, whimsical monologues that defy conventional stand-up structure—and her ability to cross between comedy, drama, and activism. Her Emmy-winning special Dress to Kill cemented her as a major comedic talent, while her Broadway debut earned a Tony nomination. Beyond entertainment, Izzard's marathon feats raised millions for charity and demonstrated remarkable endurance. Izzard's legacy includes expanding the boundaries of stand-up comedy, proving that a performer can succeed in multiple languages, and using physical challenges to support humanitarian causes. Her career illustrates a blend of artistic versatility and political engagement, influencing both comedy and charitable fundraising.
Did You Know?
- She has performed stand-up comedy in Arabic, French, German, Russian, and Spanish.
- Izzard knew she was transgender at age four and knew she wanted to be an actor at age seven.
- She twice ran unsuccessfully for the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and later joined after Christine Shawcroft resigned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Eddie Izzard's comedy style like?
Izzard delivers extended, loosely structured monologues that drift across topics in a stream-of-consciousness, almost dreamlike way. The humor comes less from punchlines and more from repetition, absurd escalation, and a sense of joyful disorientation that builds over the full hour-plus set.
Why does Eddie Izzard run marathons?
Izzard has completed numerous marathons around the globe specifically to raise funds for various charities. Running has become inseparable from her public identity and often appears alongside her comedy tours in her schedule.
What is Eddie Izzard's political activism?
Izzard is a vocal supporter of the UK Labour Party and has campaigned on issues including LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. She has spoken publicly, performed benefit shows, and used her platform to advocate for progressive causes throughout her career.
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