--- name: "Paul Whitehouse" canonical: "https://film.one/person/paul-whitehouse" fi1m_id: "paul-whitehouse" imdb_id: "nm0925768" tmdb_id: 34900 wikidata_id: "Q1343140" roles: ["Actor","Writer","Producer"] born: "17 May 1958" reviewed_on_fi1m: 10 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 10 updated: "2026-10-07T14:53:26.374604+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." --- # Paul Whitehouse ## Identity Paul Whitehouse - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/paul-whitehouse - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** paul-whitehouse - **IMDb ID:** nm0925768 - **TMDB ID:** 34900 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1343140 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Whitehouse, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1343140, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0925768/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34900 Actor and writer. Born 17 May 1958 in Stanleytown, Rhondda, Wales, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Writer, Producer - **Born:** 17 May 1958, Stanleytown, Rhondda, Wales, UK - **Active:** 1994–present - **Also known as:** Paul Julian Whitehouse - **Frequently works with:** [Declan Lowney](https://film.one/person/declan-lowney.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 10 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 81 (1), 2000s 73 (3), 2010s 73 (4), 2020s 78 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 71 across 9 titles - **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 6, Fantasy 4, Adventure 3, Drama 3, Animation 2, Family 2 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,086m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Whitehouse, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1343140, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0925768/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/34900 ## Streaming the US now - **AMC+:** [*The Death of Stalin*](https://film.one/film/the-death-of-stalin.md) (83) - **Apple TV:** [*The Change*](https://film.one/tv/the-change.md) (78) - **Disney+:** [*Alice in Wonderland*](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md) (48) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Paul Whitehouse > A sketch comedian who found that the quick turn, done often enough, becomes a portrait, and whose down-at-heel British types carry more sadness than the catchphrases let on. Best on television, in his own material; in other people's films he is mostly a voice. In *The Fast Show* (1994) a man appears, says the thing he always says, and is gone before the joke can wear thin. That is the format Paul Whitehouse built with Charlie Higson, and its speed is its mercy: nobody is asked to sustain a small play, and irritation rarely has time to settle before another face arrives. Watch a whole run, though, and the turns add up. The characters are eccentrics and down-at-heel types, and under most of them is something sad that the catchphrase is there to cover. He came to it sideways, writing for Harry Enfield in the early 1980s after a spell as a plasterer, and the Enfield partnership ran on through *Harry Enfield & Chums* and *Harry & Paul*. *The Fast Show* ran from 1994 to 2000, with revivals since. Then the work got longer and quieter: *Happiness* (2001), which he wrote and led as a voice-over man in a mid-life crisis, and *Nurse* (2015). From 2018 there is *Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing*, which is him and Bob Mortimer with rods and time to talk, and is the reflective side of the persona with no character to hide behind. The films are supporting parts and voices, and we have said so. In *Corpse Bride* (2005) he and Tracey Ullman play the Van Dorts, fish merchants who want a coat of arms to go with the smell, and it is neat, small work in a film we liked more than we expected to. In *The Death of Stalin* (2017) he is Anastas Mikoyan in an ensemble where the clowning occasionally makes the danger harder to believe; he is not the reason to see it, and it is worth seeing. In *Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom* (2026) he grunts as a shopkeeper, and the casting is the whole joke. The criticism that follows him is repetition: recognition becomes the joke, and the third pass is less funny than the first. It is fair, and it is also the price of the method. What we did not expect, going back to *The Fast Show*, was to be moved by it, and we were, by how much feeling the sharply played characters carry once the line is out of the way and the face is left holding it. Whitehouse knows this about himself. "I sometimes think I do a bit too much sadness. I ham it up." Start with *The Fast Show*, which makes the case, then *The Death of Stalin*, where he is a face in a crowd and the crowd is excellent. Films will keep hiring him for the voice. The television is where he does the acting. ## Biography Paul Whitehouse is a Welsh actor, comedian, writer and presenter. He was born on 17 May 1958 in Stanleytown, Rhondda, Wales. He studied at the University of East Anglia. Whitehouse rose to prominence as a co-creator and performer on the BBC sketch series *The Fast Show* (1994–2000). He has collaborated frequently with Harry Enfield on *Harry Enfield & Chums* and *Harry & Paul*, and with Bob Mortimer on *Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing* (2018–). His film roles include Sir Cadogan in *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004), voices in *Corpse Bride* (2005) and *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), and Anastas Mikoyan in *The Death of Stalin* (2017). He played Tony in the Channel 4 series *The Change* (2023–2025). Whitehouse has received five BAFTA awards for his television work. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.* ## On Fi1m (10) - *Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom* (2026), Fi1m 77, as Shop Keeper (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-the-sheep-the-beast-of-mossy-bottom.md) - *The Change* (2023), Fi1m 78, as Tony — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-change.md) - *The Personal History of David Copperfield* (2019), Fi1m 81, as Daniel Peggotty — [page](https://film.one/film/the-personal-history-of-david-copperfield.md) - *The Death of Stalin* (2017), Fi1m 83, as Anastas Mikoyan — [page](https://film.one/film/the-death-of-stalin.md) - *Toast of London* (2013), Fi1m 80, as Vic Titball — [page](https://film.one/tv/toast-of-london.md) - *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), Fi1m 48, as Thackery Earwicket / March Hare (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md) - *Corpse Bride* (2005), Fi1m 72, as William Van Dort / Mayhew / Paul the Head Waiter (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/corpse-bride.md) - *Finding Neverland* (2004), Fi1m 64, as Stage Manager — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-neverland.md) - *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004), Fi1m 82, as Sir Cadogan — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.md) - *The Fast Show* (1994), Fi1m 81, as Various Characters — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fast-show.md) ## Complete filmography (65) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom* (2026), as Shop Keeper (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/shaun-the-sheep-the-beast-of-mossy-bottom.md) - *Invincible* (2025), Executive Producer - *Dodger Special: Coronation* (2023), as Royston - *The Change* (2023), series, as Tony — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-change.md) - *The Love Box in Your Living Room* (2022), Actor - *The Tiger Who Came to Tea* (2022), as Milkman - *Why Didn't They Ask Evans?* (2022), series, as Askew - *A League of Their Own Road Trip: Dingle To Dover* (2022), series, Actor - *Murder, They Hope* (2021), series, as Monty - *The Fast Show: Just a Load of Blooming Catchphrases* (2020), Executive Producer, Writer - *The Personal History of David Copperfield* (2019), as Daniel Peggotty — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-personal-history-of-david-copperfield.md) - *King of Thieves* (2018), as Carl Wood - *Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires* (2018), as The Wise One - *Ghost Stories* (2018), as Tony Matthews - *Smashie's Xmastastic Playlist* (2017), series, as DJ Mike Smash - *Smashie's Christmastastic Playlist* (2017), series, as Mike Smash - *The Death of Stalin* (2017), as Anastas Mikoyan — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-death-of-stalin.md) - *Alice Through the Looking Glass* (2016), as Thackery Earwicket / March Hare (voice) - *The Windsors* (2016), series, as George III - *An Evening with Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse* (2015), Actor - *Nurse* (2015), series, as Graham Downes · Writer, Producer - *Mortdecai* (2015), as Spinoza - *Harry & Paul's Story of the 2s* (2014), as Terry Collier / Michael Palin / Manuel / Frankie Howerd / Lurcio / Yosser Hughes / Lord Lawson / Stanley Baldrick / Alan Yentob / Rick / Dennis Potter / Evan Davis / Tim Canterbury / Rick Prog-Rock / Mary Berry / Jools Holland / Paul Merton / Sarah Silligan / Alan Davies / Diddy Andy Hamilton / Vari - *Brian Pern: A Life in Rock* (2014), series, as Pat Quid - *Toast of London* (2013), series, as Vic Titball — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/toast-of-london.md) - *It's Kevin* (2013), series, as Rev. D.W.F. Winkleberry - *Burke & Hare* (2010), as Gentleman Drunk - *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), as Thackery Earwicket / March Hare (voice) — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md) - *Bellamy's People* (2010), series, as Producer - *Robbie the Reindeer in Close Encounters of the Herd Kind* (2007), as Prancer (voice) - *Harry & Paul* (2005), series, Writer, Creator - *Corpse Bride* (2005), as William Van Dort / Mayhew / Paul the Head Waiter (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/corpse-bride.md) - *Help* (2005), series, as Various · Producer, Writer - *Finding Neverland* (2004), as Stage Manager — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-neverland.md) - *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004), as Sir Cadogan — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-prisoner-of-azkaban.md) - *The Catherine Tate Show* (2004), series, Actor - *The Fast Show: The Farewell Tour* (2003), as Various · Producer - *Comedy Connections* (2003), series, Actor - *Swiss Toni* (2003), series, Actor - *Robbie the Reindeer: Legend of the Lost Tribe* (2002), as Prancer (voice) - *Happiness* (2001), series, as Danny Spencer · Writer - *Jumpers for Goalposts* (2001), series, as Ron Manager - *Kevin & Perry Go Large* (2000), as Bouncer - *Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)* (2000), series, Actor - *David Copperfield* (1999), series, as Pawnbroker - *Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of Fire* (1999), as Prancer (voice) - *Harry Enfield Undressed* (1999), Actor - *The Fast Show Live* (1998), Actor - *Ted & Ralph* (1998), as Ted / Rowley Birkin / Kevin Brown · Executive Producer - *Match of the World Cup* (1998), series, Actor - *Harry Enfield and Chums* (1994), series, Various Characters, Writer - *The Fast Show* (1994), series, Various Characters, Producer, Writer, Creator — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fast-show.md) - *The Danny Baker Show* (1994), series, Actor - *Smashie and Nicey: The End of an Era* (1994), as Mike Smash - *Smashie and Nicey's Top of the Pops Party* (1994), as Smashie - *The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer* (1993), series, Actor - *The Weekenders* (1992), as Spencer Pedal - *Bunch Of Five* (1992), series, as Spencer Pendel - *GamesMaster* (1992), series, Actor - *Amnesty International's Big 30* (1991), as Mike Smash - *Paul Merton: The Series* (1991), series, Actor - *Harry Enfield's Television Programme* (1990), series, Actor - *The Craig Ferguson Story* (1990), Writer - *The Craig Ferguson Show* (1990), as Various · Writer - *You Ain’t Seen These, Right?*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Paul Whitehouse, Waterstones, Piccadilly, London, 7 December 2023](https://film.one/media/person/46401/gallery-1881f63fa3b3.jpg) Paul Whitehouse, Waterstones, Piccadilly, London, 7 December 2023 — Edwardx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Paul_Whitehouse_20231207.jpg/1280px-Paul_Whitehouse_20231207.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Paul Whitehouse in 2017 from 'Paul Whitehouse/Bob Mortimer/Nick Helm 'Lunch'. Uploaded to Vimeo by the film's director Marcus Liversedge under CC-BY-3.0 Unporte (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/46401/gallery-a991ca51d077.jpg) Paul Whitehouse in 2017 from 'Paul Whitehouse/Bob Mortimer/Nick Helm 'Lunch'. Uploaded to Vimeo by the film's director Marcus Liversedge under CC-BY-3.0 Unporte (2018) — Marcus Liversedge, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Paul_Whitehouse_in_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Paul Whitehouse](https://film.one/media/person/46401/gallery-446c07293a77.jpg) Paul Whitehouse — Image via TMDB --- © 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/paul-whitehouse