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| Jim Tavaré | |
|---|---|
 Jim Tavaré | |
| Born | 1963 (age 61–62) Essex, England |
| Medium | Stand-up, television |
| Years active | 1984 – present |
| Website | jimtavare |
Jim Tavaré (born 1963) is a Britishstand-up comedian,actor, andmusician. He is best known for his work onThe Sketch Show onITV, which won a BAFTA award. He played the role of Tom (the owner of the Leaky Cauldron) inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and has appeared in several music videos, includingRoots Manuva's "Too Cold",McFly's "It's All About You" (for BBCComic Relief),Phoenix Foundation's "Thames Soup", andLetlive's "Banshee".
Tavaré was born inEssex,England in 1963. He is a cousin of former international cricketerChris Tavaré. When he was 7, he and his family moved toCheshire, where he eventually attendedart school inNorthwich. After finishing his art studies, he moved to London, where he worked withCorin Redgrave. As a result, he successfully auditioned for and attended theRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art.[1] Tavaré's first film appearance was as a student inAnother Country (1984) withRupert Everett andColin Firth. Although uncredited, he was a featured extra appearing in numerous scenes throughout the film. Tavaré wasColin Firth's stand-in for the duration of the film.Charles Spencer, Diana, Princess of Wales's brother, was also an uncredited extra. Tavaré eventually branched out into stand-up comedy with a unique act which featured hisdouble bass, an instrument he had learned to play during his childhood.
In 1995, Tavaré wrote and starred in a series of short silent films forBBC2, titledJim Tavaré Pictures Presents.[2] OnChannel Five, he had a skit series of his own that he co-wrote withRicky Gervais, calledThe Jim Tavaré Show. He appeared three times in theRoyal Variety Performance and subsequently worked forPrince Charles at several private engagements, including at a private Christmas party and at a gala held atHighgrove in front of QueenElizabeth II and 13 other crowned heads of state. He became renowned in the UK as Prince Charles's favourite comedian. Following an appearance at the MontrealJust For Laughs festival, CBS commissioned a special episode of the American seriesWings based on and written entirely around his comedy act. Tavaré starred in this episode, which was called "Take My Life Please".
Tavaré co-wrote and appeared in theBAFTA-winning ITV seriesThe Sketch Show,[3] alongsideLee Mack,Tim Vine,Ronni Ancona,Karen Taylor, andKitty Flanagan. In 2004, Tavaré appeared inHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as Tom the Innkeeper. In 2008, he finished in fourth place on the American showLast Comic Standing 6, having been the only overseas act ever to have reached the final show. He performed a 63-date national tour with the other fourLast Comic Standing finalists throughout the US. He appeared in the fifth series of theDavid Duchovny comedy-dramaCalifornication as an English butler to a hip-hop mogul played byWu-Tang Clan frontmanRZA. He made a guest-star appearance in season 5 of the comedy and spy dramaChuck, the TV showJimmy Kimmel Live!, and on Comedy Central'sTosh.0. In September 2013, he began filming the role of The Dog Catcher inSyco Entertainment's feature filmPudsey: The Movie alongsideDavid Walliams,Jessica Hynes, andJohn Sessions.
In 2017, Tavaré was in anintensive care unit after being injured in a collision with a car.[4] After suffering catastrophic injuries (over 30 broken bones, including 14 broken ribs, collapsed lungs, multiple fractures, broken neck and a hand that detached from the wrist) Tavare returned to the stage with a new show about his experiences entitled "From deadpan to bedpan".[5]
