Lenny Rush | |
|---|---|
| Born | (2009-03-17)17 March 2009 (age 16) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor and presenter |
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Notable work | |
Lenny Rush (born 17 March 2009) is a British actor and presenter. He is best known for his work on theDaisy May Cooper comedy drama seriesAm I Being Unreasonable?, for which he won aBritish Academy Television Award for Best Male Comedy Performance. He has also appeared in theBBC One seriesDodger and the CBBC dramaThe Dumping Ground. He won a breakthrough award at the 2023National Comedy Awards, and won the Breakthrough Award and Best Comedy Performance (Male) at the 2023Royal Television Society Programme Awards.
Rush has a medical condition calledspondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita which affects his growth, resulting indwarfism.[1][2]
Rush first appeared on camera on theCBeebies documentaryOur Family. He began acting locally at thePauline Quirke Academy inEssex. He played roles onCBeebies seriesApple Tree House and CBBC'sThe Dumping Ground and had playedTiny Tim in versions ofA Christmas Carol both on stage atThe Old Vic in London in 2017 and 2018, and on-screen in aSteven Knight televised retelling of theCharles Dickens classic in 2019.[3][4]
Rush was given a series regular role in the comedy dramaDodger alongsideChristopher Eccleston. Initially a small role called The Sweeper, the part was expanded for Rush and given the character name Morgan.[5] Rush also had the role of Ollie inDaisy May Cooper’s BBC One comedyAm I Being Unreasonable?, in which he improvised lines as well as performing from a script.[6] He received praise for his performance in the show, withLucy Mangan writing inThe Guardian, “What a gift they have in Rush, who has the comic chops and emotional range of an actor twice his age, and the kind of chemistry with Cooper that is an absolute joy to watch."[7]
Rush appeared on theBBC One charity showChildren In Need in 2022.[8] Rush won the Breakthrough Award, and was nominated for the Comedy Performance (Male) Award, forAm I Being Unreasonable? at theRoyal Television Society Programme Awards in March 2023.[9]
In June 2023, it was announced that Rush would portray Morris Gibbons,UNIT's scientific advisor, in thefourteenth series ofDoctor Who.[10] He was initially cast as the voice of Eric in "Space Babies" before being offered the larger role.[11][12]
In October 2023, at the age of 14, it was announced that Rush would become the first child presenter to co-host the annualChildren in Need appeal.[13]
In November 2023, Rush was the winner ofTaskmaster New Year’s Treat 2024.[14][15]
Rush was voted Best Breakthrough at theI Talk Telly Awards in December 2022.[16] It was announced in January 2023 that he would receive a breakthrough award at theNational Comedy Awards.[17] On 29 March 2023, he won two awards at theRoyal Television Society Programme Awards: the Breakthrough Award, and Best Comedy Performance (Male).[18][19] In May 2023, he won the BAFTA for Male Performance in a Comedy Programme for his work inAm I Being Unreasonable?[20]
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| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | Apple Tree House | Eli | 4 episodes |
| 2019 | A Christmas Carol | Tiny Tim | Miniseries |
| 2020 | Old Vic on Camera: A Christmas Carol | Tiny Tim | |
| 2021–2022 | The Dumping Ground | Murphy | 7 episodes |
| 2021–2023 | Dodger | Morgan/The Sweeper | Recurring role |
| 2022 | Enola Holmes 2 | Newspaper boy | Film |
| 2022–present | Am I Being Unreasonable? | Ollie | Lead role (12 episodes) |
| 2023 | Best Interests | George | 1 episode |
| Haunting of the Queen Mary | Lukas Caulder | Film | |
| 2023–present | Children in Need | Himself | Presenter |
| 2024 | Doctor Who | Morris Gibbons | 2 episodes; "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" and "Empire of Death" |
| Taskmaster | Himself | New Years Special | |
| Would I Lie to You? | Himself | Christmas Special[21] |
