Addison Cresswell

Addison Cresswell
Born Addison Lee Cresswell
(1960-06-28)28 June 1960[1]
Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK
Died 23 December 2013(2013-12-23) (aged 53)
London, England, UK
Occupation Talent agent and producer
Spouse(s) Shelly Cresswell (??-2013; his death)

Addison Lee Cresswell (28 June 1960 – 23 December 2013) was a British comedy talent agent and producer.[2]

He was notable for finding many stand-up "alternative" comedians at venues such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe,[3] promoting them and finding spots for them on television and radio over a 30-year period from the 1980s.[1] He has been called "one of the most influential people in British comedy".[4]

Early life

Cresswell was born in Kensington, London.[5] His father, Peter Cresswell, was the dean of arts at Goldsmiths College, University of London. His younger brother, Luke, became a founder of the dance and percussion group Stomp.[1] He was educated at St Luke's Primary School (Brighton), Longhill High School (Rottingdean), and Brighton Polytechnic, where he studied graphic design and was the student entertainments officer.[6]

As Ents Officer at Brighton Polytechnic, he booked bands such as U2, Killing Joke, Joy Division, New Order and Madness.[7]

Career

He founded 'The Comedy Boom' with club promoter and comedian Ivor Dembina in Edinburgh in 1987. [8] It was the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's first venue for Stand-Up Comedy. The performance poet and comedian John Hegley was Cresswell's first client. He founded a production company called Wonderdog with Paul Merton and Julian Clary who he had met at 'The Comedy Boom'.[1] His client list went on to include: Jonathan Ross,[9] Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre,[3] Alan Carr, Kevin Bridges and Rich Hall.[1] He was behind Live at the Apollo, which was hosted by Michael McIntyre and Stand Up for the Week on Channel 4 Television from 2010.[9]

He founded and ran the Off the Kerb talent agency which has a television division called 'Open Mike Productions'.[1] He organised the Channel 4 Comedy Gala annually in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital.[2]

Death

Cresswell died of a heart attack on 23 December 2013[10] at the age of 53;[3][11] Cresswell is survived by his wife, Shelley.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Coveney, Michael. "Addison Cresswell obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Addison Cresswell". Off The Kerb. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 "Comedy agent Addison Cresswell dies aged 53". BBC. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
  4. Walker, Danny. "Jonathan Ross' agent Addison Cresswell has died aged 53". The Mirror. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  5. General Register Office index of births registered in July, August, September 1960 – Name: Addison L. Cresswell District: Kensington, London Volume: 5C Page: 1732.
  6. "Addison Cresswell: 'Larger Than Life' Agent Dies". Sky. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  7. "The 'Art College' Basement: some recollections". Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  8. "How To Promote a Fringe Show". How To Promote a Fringe Show.
  9. 1 2 Dowell, Ben. "Addison Cresswell – leading agent to top stars like Jonathan Ross – dies suddenly". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
  10. Edmonds, Lizzie. "Addison_Cresswell dead from heart attack". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  11. Urquhart, Conal. "Addison Cresswell, top agent in British comedy, dies aged 53". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 December 2013.

External links

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