Ben Miller: Movies & Box Office

Ben Miller (born Bennet Evan Miller on 28 February 1966) is an English comedian, actor and author who first came to national prominence as one half of the celebrated sketch duo Armstrong and Miller. After studying natural sciences at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and briefly embarking on a PhD in solid‑state physics, he abandoned academia to pursue comedy, joining the Cambridge Footlights in 1989 where he met future collaborators such as Andy Parsons and Sue Perkins. His partnership with Alexander Armstrong began in 1992 at the TBA Sketch Comedy Group, leading to a series of successful live shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and eventually the television series Armstrong and Miller (1997‑2001) and its later incarnation The Armstrong & Miller Show which earned BAFTA recognition. Miller’s film career launched with Steve Coogan’s The Parole Officer (2001) and was cemented by his role as the bumbling side‑kick Bough in the Johnny English franchise (2003, 2007, 2018). He later showcased his dramatic range as DI Richard Poole in the BBC‑produced Death in Paradise (2011‑2014) and as James Lester in the sci‑fi series Primeval (2007‑2011). In addition to acting, he has authored a dozen children’s books and popular science titles such as It’s Not Rocket Science (2014) and The Aliens Are Coming! (2017), often touring to present the material to audiences. His personal life includes two marriages – to actress Belinda Stewart‑Wilson (2004‑2011) and to production executive Jessica Parker (married 2013) – and three children. Miller has spoken openly about his diagnosis of OCD, using humor to destigmatise mental health issues. Beyond the screen, he has lent his voice to iconic advertising campaigns, directed the feature Huge (2010), and continues to appear on stage, radio and television, maintaining a reputation for wit, versatility and intellectual curiosity.