Biography
Ben Elton is a British writer, actor and stand-up comedian. He co-wrote the BBC sitcom The Young Ones (1982–1984) with Rik Mayall and Lise Mayer, and co-wrote the second, third and fourth series of Blackadder (1985–1989) with Richard Curtis.
Born in London on 3 May 1959, he graduated from the University of Manchester. Elton has written for series including The Thin Blue Line (1995–1996) and created Upstart Crow (2016–2020). He has acted in The Young Ones, Blackadder the Third (1987) and Much Ado About Nothing (1993).
His stage work includes the musical We Will Rock You (2002), co-written with Queen. He received a BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Series for Blackadder Goes Forth (1989).
