Richard Robert Steven Gadd (born 11 May 1989)[citation needed] is a Scottish writer, actor and comedian. He created and starred in the 2024 Netflix drama series Baby Reindeer, based on his one-man show and real-life experience.[1]
| Richard Gadd | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Richard Robert Steven Gadd |
| Born | 11 May 1989 Wormit, Fife, Scotland |
| Medium | Comedy, acting, writing |
| Notable works and roles | Baby Reindeer |
| Website | richardgadd |
Career
Gadd trained at the Oxford School of Drama, completing the one-year course in 2012.[2] Gadd's early Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows Cheese & Crack Whores (2013), Breaking Gadd (2014)[3] and Waiting for Gaddot (2015) all debuted at the festival and went on to have runs at London's Soho Theatre. Waiting for Gaddot won an Amused Moose Comedy Award in 2015[4] as well as a Scottish Comedy Award for Best Solo Show in 2016.[5] It was also nominated for a Malcolm Hardee Award for Innovation[6] and a Chortle Award for Innovation.
Gadd's 2016 Fringe show Monkey See Monkey Do won the Edinburgh Comedy Award[7] for Best Comedy Show and was also nominated for a Total Theatre Award for Innovation.[8] Later that year, Gadd won a Chortle Comedian's Comedian Award[9] and was nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for Best Performer.[10] The show then had several sell-out runs at Soho Theatre,[11] toured the UK and Europe,[12] and had a run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where it was nominated for the 2017 Barry Award.[13] In 2017 it was broadcast on Comedy Central as part of their Soho Theatre Live series.[14]
Gadd's next show, Baby Reindeer, about his experiences with being stalked, premiered at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.[15] It won two awards: the Scotsman Fringe First Award for New Writing[16] and a Stage Award for Acting Excellence.[17] The show then went on to a five-week run at The Bush Theatre in London[18] where it won an Off West End Theatre Award for Best Video Design, as well as receiving a nomination in the Best Performer category.[19] The show later transferred to the Ambassador's Theatre in London's West End, but was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.[20] A few months later, the show went on to win a prestigious Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Affiliate Theatre.[21] In 2024, Netflix released a seven-episode drama based on the play.[22]
Gadd is also an actor, starring opposite Daniel Mays in the 2017 BAFTA-nominated BBC Two single drama Against the Law. Other acting credits include BBC Three's Clique, Sky Arts's One Normal Night, Sky One's Code 404 and E4's Tripped.[23][better source needed] As a screenwriter, Gadd worked for Netflix's Sex Education, and has written episodes of Ultimate Worrier for Dave and The Last Leg for Channel 4, where he was also a correspondent. He's also had several projects aired on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland.[24]
Personal life
Gadd identifies as bisexual.[25] He is an ambassador for We Are Survivors, a UK charity dedicated to helping male survivors of sexual abuse.[22] Gadd himself is a survivor of sexual abuse.[26] From 2015 to 2017, Gadd was stalked by an older woman.[27]
Gadd is a life long supporter of Dundee United.