Christopher Guest

Christopher Haden-Guest, known professionally as Christopher Guest, is an iconic British-American actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. He played a critical role in pop culture, most notably by his series of comedy films shot in mockumentary style, such as 'This Is Spinal Tap' (1984), 'Waiting for Guffman' (1996), and 'Best in Show' (2000). Apart from his career in the film industry, Guest holds a hereditary British peerage as the 5th Baron Haden-Guest. However, in spite of his noble status, he often expresses his belief in democratic reform. He is married to acclaimed actress Jamie Lee Curtis. He was born in New York City, the son of a British diplomat and an American casting executive. With a diverse and colorful background of Jewish, British and American origins, Guest was always exposed to a variety of cultural experiences.

Guest's career started in theatre in the early 1970s, then transitioned into film and television, successfully branching into different genres. One of his most recognised roles was in the iconic film, 'The Princess Bride', where he played Count Rugan. His career in the 1990s saw a shift as he started writing, directing, and acting in his own substantially improvised films. These films, which are highly influential to the following generation of comedians and regarded as landmark works in the genre of 'mockumentaries', cemented Guest's legacy in the field of comedy. Currently, he's also known for his collaborations with Eugene Levy, with whom he formed a loose repertory group that made numerous films together.