Mel Smith (1952–2013) — English comedian, actor and director

Career highlights

Smith first reached a wide audience as a member of the ensemble on the sketch series Not the Nine O'Clock News, alongside Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela Stephenson. He later formed the double act known as Alas Smith and Jones with Griff Rhys Jones, a long‑running sketch and chat show that showcased their contrasting on‑stage personas and became an established feature of British comedy television.

Film work and production

Beyond television performance, Smith moved into film directing and producing. He directed feature comedies including The Tall Guy (1989) and the big‑screen adaptation Bean (1997), and he was involved in creating and producing television content through the independent production company Talkback, which he helped to found. His work combined a comic sensibility with an eye for narrative and character, allowing him to work successfully both in front of and behind the camera.

Style, partnerships and notable works

Smith was known for versatile characterisations, a dry and often satirical tone, and a capacity to move between broad slapstick and more subtle observational humour. Notable television and film credits include:

• Not the Nine O'Clock News (sketch ensemble)
• Alas Smith and Jones (sketch double act with Griff Rhys Jones)
• The Tall Guy (feature film director)
• Bean (feature film director)

Influence and legacy

Smith helped shape a generation of British television comedy by combining sketch writing with mainstream film direction and commercial production. His partnership with Griff Rhys Jones was influential in establishing the format of the two‑handed sketch show for a mass audience, and his production activities supported a range of television projects beyond his own performances. For further reading on his life and career see Mel Smith — sources and biography.

Mel Smith died in July 2013. He is remembered for his versatility across media, his collaborative partnerships, and his contribution to late 20th‑century British comedy.