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Tony Gardner
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Tony Gardner (born 10 January 1964) is an English actor, comedian and doctor. He sits on the national governing body of the actors' trade union Equity.[1]
Key Information
Early life and education
[edit]He attended St Augustine's Catholic College in Trowbridge, Wiltshire.[2]
Career
[edit]Gardner qualified as a physician at Guy's Hospital in 1987, then as a general practitioner in 1993[citation needed]. He combined medicine and comedy during the 1990s as half of the award-winning comedy duo Struck Off and Die with Phil Hammond.
Acting career
[edit]Gardner eventually left medicine to become an actor, starring in a number of TV commercials, including that for the Renault Mégane. He reached prominence playing Brian Johnson in CITV's My Parents Are Aliens (episodes of which he also wrote) and Michael, the café owner in Jack Dee's BBC sitcom Lead Balloon. In 2009–10 he starred in three plays directed by Sir Peter Hall. In 2011 he played Professor Tony Shales in the Channel 4 series Fresh Meat.
Between 2012 and 2020, he played John in five series of the critically acclaimed romantic drama series Last Tango in Halifax. The programme attracted impressive ratings for BBC One, with the third series posting an average of 7.8 million viewers.[3]
Between 2013 and 2015, he appeared as Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Smith in three series of the wartime comedy Bluestone 42, about a British bomb disposal detachment in Afghanistan during Operation Herrick. He appeared as Dan Miller MP in the BBC political comedy The Thick of It. He was a main character of the music video "Giant Peach" by Wolf Alice.[4] He appeared in a variety of roles in Tracey Ullman's Show from 2016. He also appeared in an episode of the Netflix show, Lovesick, portraying Dylan’s father at surprise wedding anniversary party.
In January 2021, Gardner appeared in S11E1 of Not Going Out as a neighbour to Lee and Lucy.[5] He then appeared again in S12E4 in 2022.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Joking Apart | ||
| 1995 | Now What? | Writer | |
| 1995 | You Bet! | Sherlock Holmes | Series 8, Episode 6 |
| 1997 | Sunnyside Farm | Justin | |
| 1997 | Grown Ups | ||
| 1997 | Armstrong and Miller | Writer | |
| 1999–2006 | My Parents Are Aliens | Brian Johnson | Writer and Cast Member |
| 2000–2006 | Absolute Power | ||
| 2001 | So What Now? | Dan | Episode: Swinger |
| 2001 | Lenny Henry in Pieces | ||
| 2001 | The Armando Iannucci Shows | ||
| 2004 | The Lenny Henry Show | ||
| 2005–2012 | The Thick of It | Dan Miller | |
| 2006 | Bremner, Bird and Fortune | ||
| 2006–2011 | Lead Balloon | Michael | Series regular |
| 2007 | Jekyll | David | Series 1, Episode 4 |
| 2007 | Dumped | Narrator | Voice |
| 2007 | His Master's Voice | ||
| 2008 | Love Soup | Matthew | Episode: Ragged Claws |
| 2009 | May Contain Nuts | Philip Russell | TV movie |
| 2009 | Moving Wallpaper | George | Series 2, Episode 4 |
| 2010 | M.I. High | Prime Minister | episode: Vote Skul |
| 2011–2016 | Fresh Meat | Professor Tony Shales | 13 episodes |
| 2012–2020 | Last Tango in Halifax | John Elliot | Series regular |
| 2012 | Cockneys vs Zombies | Clive | |
| 2012 | New Tricks | Lucas Graves | episode: Old School Ties |
| 2012 | Gates | Aiden | |
| 2013 | The Escape Artist | Trevor Harris | TV-Mini Series |
| 2013 | Big Bad World | Dr. Tim | Series 1, Episode 6 |
| 2013–2015 | Bluestone 42 | Lieutenant Colonel Smith | |
| 2014 | Plebs | Philo | Series 2, Episode 6 |
| 2014 | Law & Order: UK | Douglas Stone | Episode: Repeat to Fade |
| 2016 | Young Hyacinth | Claude | TV |
| 2016 | Stella | Ivan Schloss | |
| 2016–2017 | Tracey Ullman's Show | Various | |
| 2017–2018 | Tracey Breaks the News | Various | |
| 2017 | Doctor Who | Douglas | "The Pyramid at the End of the World" (Series 10, Episode 7) |
| 2017 | Death in Paradise | Ian Matlock | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Unforgotten | James Moray | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Back | Nick Molloy | Series 1, Episode 1 |
| 2018 | Death on the Tyne | Justin | |
| 2018 | Lovesick | Julian | |
| 2018 | Innocent | Detective Superintendent Hillman | ITV mini-series in four parts |
| 2019 | Midsomer Murders | Russell Grundy | "The Ghost of Causton Abbey" (Series 20, Episode 1) |
| 2019 | Horrible Histories: The Movie | Antonius | |
| 2021–2022 | Not Going Out | Stuart | Lee and Lucy's neighbour |
| 2026 | Silent Witness | Ron Hill | "The Disappearance of Alice Hill" (Series 29, Episodes 1 and 2) |
References
[edit]- ^ "The Council - Equity's governing body". Equity. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- ^ "TV actor to attend school reunion". Wiltshire Times. 27 June 2007.
- ^ "Last Tango In Halifax series four delay as Sally Wainwright pens 'final' run". Daily Express. 8 January 2016.
- ^ "Wolf Alice - Giant Peach - YouTube". YouTube. 12 March 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Not Going Out - Small Package S11 E1 IMDb". Imdb. 9 January 2021.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Tony Gardner
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Early life
Tony Gardner was born on 10 January 1964 in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England.[1] During his childhood, Gardner relocated to Trowbridge, Wiltshire, where he attended St Augustine’s Catholic College, leaving the school in the 1980s.[9]Education
Gardner completed his secondary education at St Augustine's Catholic College in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, leaving in the early 1980s.[9] He subsequently enrolled at Guy's Hospital Medical School in London, part of the University of London, to study medicine. There, he completed his medical degree and qualified as a physician in 1987.[4] After his initial qualification, Gardner pursued postgraduate training in general practice, achieving full qualification as a general practitioner in 1993.[10]Medical career
Training and qualification
Tony Gardner qualified as a physician from Guy's Hospital in 1987.[1] He then pursued postgraduate training to become a general practitioner, qualifying in 1993.[5][11]Practice and transition
Following his qualification as a general practitioner in 1993, Tony Gardner worked as a locum general practitioner in primary care, providing routine consultations, diagnoses, and treatments to patients across various health concerns in community settings.[12][4] Throughout the 1990s, Gardner maintained his clinical duties while increasingly pursuing creative endeavors in writing and performance, which began to influence his professional priorities amid the demands of balancing patient care with these interests.[3][13] He continued locum GP work while auditioning for and filming the first series of My Parents Are Aliens in 1999. Gardner ceased medical practice entirely around 2000 to transition to a full-time career in acting and comedy.[4][12]Entertainment career
Comedy beginnings
Tony Gardner's entry into comedy began in 1990 when, as a qualified doctor, he co-founded the double act Struck Off and Die with fellow physician Phil Hammond.[14] The duo's material centered on satirical sketches and routines that lampooned the absurdities of the medical profession, including the grueling working conditions of junior doctors—who often endured 80 to 100-hour weeks—and broader myths surrounding healthcare in the National Health Service (NHS).[15] Their humor drew directly from their shared experiences in medicine, transforming professional frustrations into accessible, whistleblowing comedy that highlighted systemic issues without descending into bitterness.[16] Struck Off and Die quickly gained traction through live performances, achieving five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the early 1990s.[17] They were selected twice for the Perrier Pick of the Fringe and received a Perrier Award nomination, alongside a Writers Guild Award for their writing and a Silver Sony Radio Award for their broadcast work.[14] The act expanded to BBC Radio 4 with three series of their eponymous show, which featured explosive takedowns of medical misconceptions through sharp dialogue and character-driven sketches, earning praise for its intelligent wit.[18] In 2024, Gardner and Hammond revived the act for a new BBC Radio 4 series, Doctor On Hold.[19] These early stage and radio successes established Gardner's comedic style as observational and character-based, rooted in authentic insider critique. Marking his initial foray into screen entertainment, Gardner appeared in a series of television commercials for the Renault Mégane in 1996, portraying a bemused driver interacting with a sassy, talking car voiced by David Schneider.[7] The ads, directed with a humorous, anthropomorphic twist, aired on UK channels like Channel 4 and represented a pivotal debut, bridging his medical satire roots with broader commercial appeal and signaling his transition toward acting.[20]Acting roles
Gardner's breakthrough role came in the CITV series My Parents Are Aliens (1999–2006), where he portrayed Brian Johnson, the quirky alien father attempting to navigate human family life on Earth. Over the eight seasons, the character evolved from a bumbling outsider struggling with everyday customs to a more integrated patriarch, often providing comic relief through his literal interpretations of human idioms and social norms, while Gardner also contributed as a writer for several episodes. This performance established him as a versatile comedic actor capable of blending physical humor with heartfelt family dynamics. In Lead Balloon (2006–2011), Gardner played Michael, the eccentric owner of a wholefood café frequented by the protagonist Rick Spleen. Depicted as a socially awkward former high-flying banker who suffered burnout, Michael's arc highlighted themes of personal reinvention and quiet unraveling, with his unhinged monologues and passive-aggressive interactions adding layers of dark comedy to the series' exploration of midlife failures. Critics praised Gardner's subtle portrayal for grounding the show's cynicism, noting how Michael's vulnerability contrasted with the central character's self-absorption.[21] Gardner's portrayal of John in Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020) marked a shift toward dramatic roles within ensemble narratives, playing Caroline's ex-husband—a weak-willed, procrastinating writer reliant on his partner's wealth. The character's arc spanned infidelity, divorce, and reluctant self-reflection, contributing to the series' examination of aging, relationships, and redemption; series 3, in particular, drew an average of 6.3 million viewers per episode, underscoring its broad appeal. Reviewers commended Gardner for infusing John with a disarming charm that made the flawed figure oddly sympathetic, enhancing the show's bittersweet tone.[22][23][24] Other notable roles include Professor Tony Shales in Fresh Meat (2011–2016), a pompous university lecturer whose intellectual arrogance often led to humiliating mishaps, satirizing academic pretensions. In Bluestone 42 (2013–2015), he embodied Lieutenant Colonel Philip Smith, the authoritative yet hapless commander of a bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan, blending military satire with moments of pathos. Guest appearances, such as Dan Miller MP in The Thick of It, showcased his knack for portraying inept authority figures in political farce. More recently, Gardner appeared as the competitive villager Martin Hubbard in Sister Boniface Mysteries (2022) and as Terrence in The Marlow Murder Club (2026), continuing his work in cozy mysteries.[25] Across these performances, recurring themes emerge in Gardner's characters: flawed professionals whose authority crumbles under personal insecurities, often serving as comedic foils that humanize broader social critiques, from family assimilation to institutional incompetence. His dry, understated delivery consistently earns acclaim for balancing humor with emotional depth, though he has not received major individual acting awards.[6]Professional affiliations
Tony Gardner serves as a member of the national governing body of Equity, the trade union representing actors and other performing artists in the United Kingdom.[26][27] He is represented by The BWH Agency for on-screen acting roles and by Sue Terry Voices for voiceover work.[28][29][30] As of 2025, Gardner maintains active professional engagements through these agencies, including voice acting projects and television appearances.[30]Filmography
Television
Gardner's earliest notable television appearance was as the lawyer Michael in the BBC sitcom Joking Apart, where he featured in two episodes across the 1994–1995 second series.[31] From 1999 to 2006, he portrayed the hapless human son Brian Johnson in the CITV sci-fi comedy [My Parents Are Aliens](/page/My Parents Are Aliens), appearing in all 106 episodes as a main cast member.[32] In the political satire The Thick of It, Gardner played the ambitious MP Dan Miller in six episodes between 2005 and 2012.[33] He had a recurring role as the café owner Michael in the BBC Four sitcom Lead Balloon from 2006 to 2011, appearing in 26 episodes.[34] Gardner appeared as the eccentric Professor Tony Shales in 16 episodes of the Channel 4 comedy-drama Fresh Meat from 2011 to 2016.[35] One of his most prominent roles was as the academic John in the BBC romantic drama Last Tango in Halifax, spanning 2012 to 2020 with 24 episodes.[36] From 2013 to 2015, he portrayed Lieutenant Colonel Philip Smith, the commanding officer, in all 21 episodes of the BBC Three dark comedy Bluestone 42.[37] In 2017, Gardner made a guest appearance as Douglas in the Doctor Who episode "The Pyramid at the End of the World".[38] He played the recurring role of Alec Norman, the local vicar, in 11 episodes of the ITV period comedy The Larkins across its 2021–2022 run.[39] Gardner guest-starred as the neighbour Stuart in two episodes of the BBC sitcom Not Going Out in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, he appeared as Martin Hubbard in a guest role in the BritBox mystery series Sister Boniface Mysteries. His most recent television credit as of 2024 is the guest role of Terrence in The Marlow Murder Club.Film
Tony Gardner's film career, though more limited compared to his extensive television work, includes a mix of comedy, horror, and family-oriented features, often showcasing his comedic timing in supporting roles.- Mad Sad & Bad (2009): Gardner portrayed Graham, a character in this British comedy-drama about family dynamics and personal quirks, directed by Avie Luthra.[40]
- Cockneys vs Zombies (2012): He played Clive, a bumbling criminal in this zombie horror-comedy set in London's East End, directed by Matthias Hoene.[41]
- Minutes Past Midnight (2016): Gardner appeared as Detective Inspector Jack Bailie in the anthology segment "Crazy for You," a romantic horror-comedy directed by James Moran as part of this multi-director horror collection.[42]
- A Little Grey (2016, short film): He provided the voice for Grey, the protagonist in this animated short about rediscovering joy in a colorful world, co-directed by Raul Fregoso, Simon Hewitt, and Steve Smith.[43]
- Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (2019): Gardner took on the role of Antonius, the father of the lead character Atti, in this historical comedy adventure directed by Dominic Brigstocke, adapted from the popular children's book series.[44]