Craig Ferguson

Born on May 17, 1962, in Glasgow, Scotland, Craig Ferguson embarked on his entertainment career during his teenage years as a drummer for punk bands. After a brief period playing in Ana Hausen and then the Dreamboys alongside Peter Capaldi, he ventured into comedy, creating the character “Bing Hitler,” which gained significant traction at the 1986 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Ferguson appeared on British television shows such as ‘Red Dwarf’ and ‘One Foot in the Grave’ and hosted ‘Friday at the Dome’ for Channel 4 in 1991. His work extended to musical theatre, including a role in ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ in London starting in 1991.

In 1994, Ferguson moved to Los Angeles, California, marking a significant turning point in his career. He secured a role as Mr. Wick on ‘The Drew Carey Show’ (1996–2003), where he became a recognizable face to American audiences. During his time on the show, he also wrote and starred in films like ‘The Big Tease’ (1999) and ‘Saving Grace’ (2000), the latter of which also led to a writing credit for the TV series ‘Doc Martin’. From 2005 to 2014, he hosted ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson’ on CBS, earning a Peabody Award in 2009 for his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Following his departure from late-night television, he hosted the syndicated game show ‘Celebrity Name Game’ (2014–2017), for which he received two Daytime Emmy Awards. He has also lent his voice to animated films such as ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010), ‘Winnie the Pooh’ (2011), and ‘Brave’ (2012).

Ferguson became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2008, a milestone he publicly celebrated on his late-night show. He is also an author, having published a novel, ‘Between the Bridge and the River’ (2006), and memoirs including ‘American on Purpose’ (2009) and ‘Riding the Elephant’ (2019). His diverse career showcases his talents as a multi-faceted entertainer across stand-up comedy, acting, writing, and hosting.