Bob Mortimer is one of the most beloved and versatile comedians in the UK, known for his hilarious collaborations with Vic Reeves, his appearances on popular panel shows, and his recent hit series with Paul Whitehouse, Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. But how did he go from being a council solicitor to a comedy legend? Here is a brief overview of his life and career.
Early Life and Education
Bob Mortimer was born on 23 May 1959 in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, as Robert Renwick Mortimer. He was the youngest of four brothers and had a difficult childhood, losing his father in a car crash when he was seven and accidentally burning down his family home with a firework.
He attended King's Manor School, where he was a keen football fan and had trials for Middlesbrough F.C., but had to give up his dreams due to arthritis. He then studied law at the University of Sussex and the University of Leicester, where he became involved in political causes and the punk movement, forming a band called Dog Dirt.
After graduating with an LLM in Welfare Law, he moved to London and worked as a solicitor for Southwark Council and then for a private practice in Peckham, where he earned the nickname "The Cockroach King" for his work with Public Health Act cases.
Partnership with Vic Reeves
Mortimer's life changed dramatically in 1986, when he went to see a new comedy show by Vic Reeves (real name Jim Moir) at the Goldsmith's Tavern in New Cross. He was instantly captivated by Reeves' surreal and anarchic style of humour, and approached him after the show to offer his help with writing and performing.
The two became friends and formed a band, the Potter's Wheel, and Mortimer started to appear on Reeves' show, Vic Reeves Big Night Out, as his straight man and sidekick. He created such memorable characters as the Singing Lawyer, Graham Lister, Judge Nutmeg and the Man With the Stick. The show soon gained a cult following and attracted the attention of TV scouts, leading to a Channel 4 series in 1990.
Vic and Bob
Mortimer and Reeves continued to work together as a double act, known as Vic and Bob, for the next three decades, creating some of the most iconic and influential comedy shows in British television history. Some of their most famous shows include:
The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer (1993-1995), a sketch show that featured parodies of celebrities, TV shows and films, such as Stars in Their Eyes, Masterchef and The Exorcist.
Shooting Stars (1993-2011), a spoof panel show that pitted two teams of celebrities against each other in absurd and nonsensical rounds, hosted by Vic and Bob, with regular guests such as Ulrika Jonsson, Mark Lamarr and Johnny Vegas.
Bang Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer (1999), another sketch show that introduced characters such as the Bra Men, Mulligan and O'Hare, and Tom Fun and Derek.
Catterick (2004), a dark comedy series that followed the adventures of two brothers, Carl and Chris, who are on the run from a mysterious killer, played by Reece Shearsmith.
House of Fools (2014-2015), a sitcom that depicted the chaotic lives of Vic and Bob and their eccentric housemates, such as Beef, Bosh and Julie.
Other Projects
Besides his partnership with Vic Reeves, Mortimer has also been involved in many other projects, both as a performer and a writer. Some of his notable works include:
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000-2001), a remake of the 1960s detective series, in which Mortimer played Marty Hopkirk, a ghost who helps his partner Jeff Randall, played by Reeves, solve crimes.
Monkey Trousers (2005), a sketch show that featured various celebrities, such as Steve Coogan, Alistair McGowan and Ronni Ancona, in different roles and scenarios.
Would I Lie to You? (2007-present), a panel show that challenges the contestants to tell lies and truths about themselves, hosted by Rob Brydon, with Mortimer and David Mitchell as team captains.
Taskmaster (2015-present), a panel show that assigns the contestants various bizarre and hilarious tasks, judged by Greg Davies and Alex Horne, with Mortimer as one of the contestants in the fifth series, which he won.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing (2018-present), a documentary series that follows Mortimer and his friend Paul Whitehouse as they travel around the UK and fish in different locations, while discussing their health, careers and personal lives.
Personal Life
Mortimer married his long-term partner Lisa Matthews in October 2015, just half an hour before he underwent a triple heart bypass surgery, which he had kept secret from the public. He has two sons, Harry and Tom, from a previous relationship. He is an avid supporter of Middlesbrough F.C. and a fan of music, especially punk and indie rock. He has also written an autobiography, And Away..., which was published in September 2021.
Bob Mortimer Books?
Bob Mortimer is the author of two books: a memoir and a novel. His memoir, And Away…, was published in 2021 and is a humorous and heartfelt account of his life and career as a comedian. His novel, The Satsuma Complex, was published in 2022 and is a satirical and surreal story of a man who becomes obsessed with a mysterious fruit. You can find more information about his books on Amazon or Dymocks.
How Many Awards Has Bob Mortimer Won?
According to my web search, Bob Mortimer has won at least three awards for his work as a comedian and author. These are:
The Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction 2023 for his novel The Satsuma Complex.
The BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Programme 1997 for Shooting Stars, with Vic Reeves.
The British Comedy Award for Best Male Comedy Newcomer 1991 for Vic Reeves Big Night Out, with Vic Reeves.
He has also been nominated for several other awards, such as the BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Entertainment Programme 2019 for Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, with Paul Whitehouse.
Bob Mortimer Net Worth
Bob Mortimer’s estimated net worth is $5 million as of 2024. He has earned most of his wealth from his career as a comedian, actor, writer and author
Bob Mortimer Houses
Bob Mortimer owns two houses: one in London and one in Kent. He bought his London house, a four-bedroom Victorian terrace in Dulwich, in 1996 for £250,000. He has since renovated it and added a loft conversion and a garden studio. He also has a second home, a three-bedroom cottage in the countryside near Canterbury, which he bought in 2015 for £435,000. He uses it as a retreat and a place to write
Bob Mortimer Cars
Bob Mortimer has a passion for cars and has owned several Mercedes models over the years. He currently drives a Mercedes S Class, which he bought in 2019 and has features such as a fridge and night vision.
He also has a Mercedes E400 AMG Sport Plus Coupe, which he reviewed for The Guardian in 2014, along with comedian Bob Mortimer. He praised the car’s hybrid engine, sport-tuned suspension and acceleration, but found it too big and cumbersome for city driving
Bob Mortimer is not the only celebrity who loves Mercedes cars. Some of the other famous Mercedes owners include David Beckham, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Lewis Hamilton
Controversy And Activism Of Bob Mortimer
Bob Mortimer is not only a comedian, but also a person who has expressed his views and opinions on various issues and causes. Some of the controversies and activism that he has been involved in are:
He has questioned the dominance of Oxbridge graduates in British comedy, saying that they are not necessarily the funniest people and that they have more options and opportunities in broadcasting than non-Oxbridge comics.
He has returned to his former profession as a solicitor to make a radio appeal on behalf of LawWorks, a charity that provides free legal advice and support to people who cannot afford a lawyer.
He has received undisclosed damages and an apology from News Group Newspapers over phone hacking, along with 15 other celebrities and public figures who sued the publisher for invading their privacy.
These are some of the examples of how Bob Mortimer has been involved in controversy and activism throughout his career. He is a comedian who is not afraid to speak his mind and stand up for what he believes in.
Conclusion
Bob Mortimer is a comedy legend who has entertained and inspired generations of fans and comedians with his unique and hilarious style of humour. He has also shown remarkable resilience and courage in overcoming various challenges and hardships in his life. He is a true standalone star who deserves all the recognition and admiration he receives.
