--- name: "Bill Bailey" canonical: "https://film.one/person/bill-bailey" fi1m_id: "bill-bailey" imdb_id: "nm0047155" tmdb_id: 24265 wikidata_id: "Q944744" roles: ["Actor"] born: "13 January 1964" reviewed_on_fi1m: 5 average_fi1m_score: 80 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-05T02:08:17.584528+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Bill Bailey ## Identity Bill Bailey - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bill-bailey - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** bill-bailey - **IMDb ID:** nm0047155 - **TMDB ID:** 24265 - **Wikidata ID:** Q944744 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bailey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q944744, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0047155/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/24265 Actor. Born 13 January 1964 in Bath, Somerset, England. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 13 January 1964, Bath, Somerset, England - **Active:** 1994–present - **Also known as:** Mark Bailey - **Frequently works with:** [Nira Park](https://film.one/person/nira-park.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 80, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (2), 2000s 75 (3) - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Crime 2, Action 1 - **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $107m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Bailey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q944744, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0047155/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/24265 ## Streaming the US now - **Peacock:** [*Hot Fuzz*](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md) (84) - **Pluto TV:** [*Black Books*](https://film.one/tv/black-books.md) (82) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Saving Grace*](https://film.one/film/saving-grace.md) (60) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Bill Bailey > Bill Bailey gives foolishness a little time to register, and his ensemble work benefits from that patience. We particularly value him in *Black Books*, where the visual comedy matters as much as the insults. In *Black Books* (2000), Bill Bailey gives a sight gag time to register before anything else takes over. His Manny does not need another sentence to make the foolishness apparent, and Bailey trusts us to notice it. We laughed hardest at the visual comedy because his timing left us that moment to take it in. He is a considerable asset to an ensemble when he is allowed to be funny without another line. He came to acting from stand-up, where music and parody songs are part of his comedy. His early screen work included Bilbo Bagshot in Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's *Spaced* (1999), before *Black Books* became his breakthrough. The bewildered or optimistic figures he often plays provide useful company for characters who get the cutting lines. He has quick verbal wit, but we need not hear it in every exchange. The pleasure is in watching a performer who can afford to leave some of the talking to somebody else. Dylan Moran and Tamsin Greig are important to that pleasure in *Black Books*, as Bernard and Fran. Moran makes a cutting line sound like a thought occurring, and the three performances keep the exaggerated behaviour enjoyable. Bailey belongs in that company on equal terms; calling him merely an agreeable foil would miss how much the sight gags contribute. The surreal comedy can still become wearing, however precisely it is played. We recommend the programme readily, with some gratitude for the short episodes. The later film appearances include the voice of the Whale in *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (2005) and Sergeant Turner in *Hot Fuzz* (2007), which reunites him with Wright and Pegg. We recommend *Hot Fuzz* for its sharp, affectionate comedy, despite the repeated gags and overextended action. Pegg and Nick Frost carry it, so it is a less useful starting point for Bailey than the sitcom. Stand-up, documentaries and occasional acting have all remained part of his work. Begin with a few episodes of *Black Books*; there is no obligation to test your tolerance for the surreal in one sitting. ## Biography Bill Bailey, born Mark Robert Bailey, is an English comedian, musician and actor. He is best known for playing Manny Bianco in the Channel 4 sitcom *Black Books* (2000–2004) and for regular appearances as a team captain or panellist on *Never Mind the Buzzcocks*, *Have I Got News for You* and *QI*. Bailey began performing stand-up in the 1990s, winning the Time Out Comedy Award in 1995. He has acted in films including *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (2005), in which he voiced the Whale, *Hot Fuzz* (2007) as Sergeant Turner, and *Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang* (2010). He has also appeared in *Spaced* (1999) and *Saving Grace* (2000). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, screenonline.org.uk.* ## On Fi1m (5) - *Hot Fuzz* (2007), Fi1m 84, as Sergeant Turner — [page](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md) - *Black Books* (2000), Fi1m 82, as Manny — [page](https://film.one/tv/black-books.md) - *Saving Grace* (2000), Fi1m 60, as Vince — [page](https://film.one/film/saving-grace.md) - *Spaced* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Bilbo Bagshot — [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md) - *The Day Today* (1994), Fi1m 86, as Judge — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-day-today.md) ## Complete filmography (62) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Ride or Die* (2026), series, as Elijah - *Bill Bailey: Thoughtifier* (2026), Writer - *Bill Bailey’s Vietnam* (2025), series, Writer - *Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps* (2024), as The Donkey (voice) - *Inside the Hilton: Park Lane* (2024), series, Producer - *The Smeds and the Smoos* (2023), as Grandfather Smed (voice) - *Best & Bester* (2022), series, as Grumpy Pants (Voice) - *Worzel Gummidge: Calliope Jane* (2021), as Mr Peregrine - *Deadliest Mums & Dads* (2021), series, Creator - *Bill Bailey: Larks in Transit* (2021), Writer - *Patriot Brains* (2021), series, as Host - *Rhod Gilbert's Growing Pains* (2021), series, as Guest - *Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse* (2020), as Bona Fide Gent - *McDonald & Dodds* (2020), series, as Paul Watt - Radio DJ (voice) - *My Life Is Murder* (2019), series, as Enzo Pavone - *Bill Bailey: Limboland* (2018), Writer - *In the Long Run* (2018), series, as Bagpipes - *Sloppy Massage Sluts 2: Anal Edition* (2017), Actor - *Nature's Perfect Partners* (2016), as Narrator - *Funny Valentines* (2015), series, as William/Craig/Bill · Writer, Director - *Big Butts Like It Big: Brunette Edition* (2014), Actor - *Nature's Misfits* (2014), as Narrator - *Bill Bailey: Qualmpeddler* (2013), Writer - *It's Kevin* (2013), series, as Various - *Gadget Man* (2012), series, Actor - *Doctor Who: The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe* (2011), as Droxil - *Pythagasaurus* (2011), as Ig - *Chalet Girl* (2011), as Bill Matthews - *Bill Bailey: Dandelion Mind* (2010), Writer - *Burke & Hare* (2010), as Angus - *Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang* (2010), as Farmer Macreadie - *Bill Bailey's Birdwatching Bonanza* (2010), series, as Presenter - *Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra* (2009), Writer, Executive Producer - *Bill Bailey: Tinselworm* (2008), Writer - *Hot Fuzz* (2007), as Sergeant Turner — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md) - *Skins* (2007), series, as Walter — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/skins.md) - *Wild Thing: I Love You* (2006), series, as Presenter - *TV Heaven, Telly Hell* (2006), series, Actor - *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (2005), as The Whale (voice) - *Comic Aid* (2005), Actor - *Spicks and Specks* (2005), series, Actor - *Bill Bailey: Part Troll* (2004), Writer - *Black Dolls* (2004), as Manny Bianco (Voice) - *Hustle* (2004), series, as Cyclops - *15 Storeys High* (2002), series, as Mr. Pirbright - *Wild West* (2002), series, as Doug - *Double Income, No Kids Yet* (2001), series, as Nigel - *Bill Bailey: Bewilderness* (2001), Writer - *Black Books* (2000), series, as Manny — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-books.md) - *Head on Comedy* (2000), series, Actor - *Saving Grace* (2000), as Vince — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/saving-grace.md) - *Spaced* (1999), series, as Bilbo Bagshot — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md) - *Is It Bill Bailey?* (1998), series, Writer, Music - *Space Cadets* (1997), series, as Space Captain - *Jonathan Creek* (1997), series, as Kennie Starkiss — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/jonathan-creek.md) - *April Fool's Day* (1997), as Sand Delivery Man - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Darwin Chipping — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Bill Bailey: Cosmic Jam* (1997), Writer - *Asylum* (1996), series, as Patient · Writer - *The Day Today* (1994), series, as Judge — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-day-today.md) - *Blue Heaven* (1992), series, as Boris - *Natural World* (1983), series, as Narrator ## Gallery - ![Bill Bailey](https://film.one/media/person/99649/gallery-7eb6673e4e33.jpg) Bill Bailey — Birgit Fostervold, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Bill_Bailey_%E2%80%93_Tons_of_Rock_2026-6.jpg/1280px-Bill_Bailey_%E2%80%93_Tons_of_Rock_2026-6.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Bailey (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/99649/gallery-deef05ac6f55.jpg) Bill Bailey (2007) — Brian Marks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Bill-Bailey_in_2007.jpg/1280px-Bill-Bailey_in_2007.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bailey at the Rothesay Pavillion (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/99649/gallery-af4573363caa.jpg) Bailey at the Rothesay Pavillion (2010) — Billy McKechnie, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Bill_Bailey_-_4649736512.jpg/1280px-Bill_Bailey_-_4649736512.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Bailey performing at Wychwood Festival 2016](https://film.one/media/person/99649/gallery-a7c2e6bc41da.jpg) Bill Bailey performing at Wychwood Festival 2016 — Nick-TribeFestivals, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Bill_Bailey_-_CREDIT_-_Steve_Porter.jpg/1280px-Bill_Bailey_-_CREDIT_-_Steve_Porter.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Bailey](https://film.one/media/person/99649/gallery-bf5d10384b60.jpg) Bill Bailey — Image via TMDB - ![Bill Bailey giving a speech at the Natural History Museum, London at the unveiling of a bronze statue of Alfred Russel Wallace, sculpted by Anthony Smith. (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/99649/gallery-789cf5a47b43.jpg) Bill Bailey giving a speech at the Natural History Museum, London at the unveiling of a bronze statue of Alfred Russel Wallace, sculpted by Anthony Smith. (2013) — John Cummings, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Bill_Bailey_giving_a_speech_at_the_Natural_History_Museum%2C_London.JPG/1280px-Bill_Bailey_giving_a_speech_at_the_Natural_History_Museum%2C_London.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bill Bailey playing guitar (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/99649/gallery-ec59b88638ba.jpg) Bill Bailey playing guitar (2007) — Brian Marks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Bill_Bailey_in_2007.jpg/1280px-Bill_Bailey_in_2007.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Member of the Order of the British Empire 2026: Member of the Order of the British Empire (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/bill-bailey