Addison Cresswell
| Addison Cresswell | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Addison Lee Cresswell 28 June 1960[1] Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK |
| Died |
23 December 2013 (aged 53) London, England, UK |
| Occupation | Talent agent and producer |
| Spouse(s) | Shelly Cresswell (??-2013; his death) |
Addison Lee Cresswell (28 June 1960 – 23 December 2013) was a British comedy talent agent and producer.[2]
He was notable for finding many stand-up "alternative" comedians at venues such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe,[3] promoting them and finding spots for them on television and radio over a 30-year period from the 1980s.[1] He has been called "one of the most influential people in British comedy".[4]
Early life
Cresswell was born in Kensington, London.[5] His father, Peter Cresswell, was the dean of arts at Goldsmiths College, University of London. His younger brother, Luke, became a founder of the dance and percussion group Stomp.[1] He was educated at St Luke's Primary School (Brighton), Longhill High School (Rottingdean), and Brighton Polytechnic, where he studied graphic design and was the student entertainments officer.[6]
As Ents Officer at Brighton Polytechnic, he booked bands such as U2, Killing Joke, Joy Division, New Order and Madness.[7]
Career
He founded 'The Comedy Boom' with club promoter and comedian Ivor Dembina in Edinburgh in 1987. [8] It was the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's first venue for Stand-Up Comedy. The performance poet and comedian John Hegley was Cresswell's first client. He founded a production company called Wonderdog with Paul Merton and Julian Clary who he had met at 'The Comedy Boom'.[1] His client list went on to include: Jonathan Ross,[9] Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre,[3] Alan Carr, Kevin Bridges and Rich Hall.[1] He was behind Live at the Apollo, which was hosted by Michael McIntyre and Stand Up for the Week on Channel 4 Television from 2010.[9]
He founded and ran the Off the Kerb talent agency which has a television division called 'Open Mike Productions'.[1] He organised the Channel 4 Comedy Gala annually in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital.[2]
Death
Cresswell died of a heart attack on 23 December 2013[10] at the age of 53;[3][11] Cresswell is survived by his wife, Shelley.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Coveney, Michael. "Addison Cresswell obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Addison Cresswell". Off The Kerb. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Comedy agent Addison Cresswell dies aged 53". BBC. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ↑ Walker, Danny. "Jonathan Ross' agent Addison Cresswell has died aged 53". The Mirror. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ↑ General Register Office index of births registered in July, August, September 1960 – Name: Addison L. Cresswell District: Kensington, London Volume: 5C Page: 1732.
- ↑ "Addison Cresswell: 'Larger Than Life' Agent Dies". Sky. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ↑ "The 'Art College' Basement: some recollections". Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ↑ "How To Promote a Fringe Show". How To Promote a Fringe Show.
- 1 2 Dowell, Ben. "Addison Cresswell – leading agent to top stars like Jonathan Ross – dies suddenly". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ↑ Edmonds, Lizzie. "Addison_Cresswell dead from heart attack". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ Urquhart, Conal. "Addison Cresswell, top agent in British comedy, dies aged 53". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 December 2013.