Jonathan Ross
Birthday:
17 November 1960, Leytonstone, London, England, UK
Birth Name:
Jonathan Stephen Ross
Height:
187 cm
Comedian, talk show host, game show host, film critic, radio DJ and awards show compere, Jonathan Ross is the most successful British broadcaster of his generation. After attending university in London and gaining an East European History degree, he worked as a researcher on Channel Four in the 1980s, becoming a presenter for the first time in Janu...
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Comedian, talk show host, game show host, film critic, radio DJ and awards show compere, Jonathan Ross is the most successful British broadcaster of his generation. After attending university in London and gaining an East European History degree, he worked as a researcher on Channel Four in the 1980s, becoming a presenter for the first time in January 1987 on the channel's series The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross (1987). Ross made an immediate impression, largely because he didn't base his presentational style on conventional, comforting and polite British broadcasters such as Frank Bough, Michael Parkinson, Russell Harty, Alan Whicker and the BBC's main talk show host of the time, Terry Wogan; his inspiration was the more fast-witted and irreverent style of American talk show hosts, in particular David Letterman.Although The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross (1987) had a short life, it established Jonathan as a major draw for Channel Four and introduced viewers to Ross' trademark irreverent humour and his distinctive speech impediment, which has been the source of plenty of jokes over the years, including a few by Ross himself.The 1990s were a period of growing success for Jonathan. In 1999 he was chosen by the BBC to replace Barry Norman as the host of Film '72 (1971), their long-running film series on BBC One. The same year he left Virgin Radio to start his popular Radio 2 show, broadcast on Saturdays. In 2001 he landed his own chat show on BBC One, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001).Further evidence of Jonathan's status came in 2005, when he was chosen by the BBC to host the corporation's coverage of the Live 8 (2005) rock concerts. Two years later, he was the obvious choice to host the similar Live Earth (2007) for the BBC.He has been the winner of numerous awards, with Sony judges praising him for his "speed of thought, natural wit, and ability to transform even the most mundane of thoughts into entertaining broadcasting". BBC Director-General Mark Thompson has called him an "outstanding talent", and BBC One Controller Peter Fincham called him a "uniquely talented broadcaster at the very top of his game". He was awarded the OBE for services to broadcasting in 2005.Ross has not been without his critics. Some have accused him of being the spearhead for a general decline in British television standards since the 1980s, epitomised by his regular use of foul language and blatant sexual references during his late night BBC talk show. He has been at the centre of a number of controversies due to his irreverent style, prompting cautions from The Broadcasting Standards Commission and the BBC's board of governors. Ofcom, the communications regulator, called him "deliberately provocative". John Beyer, director of TV watchdog Mediawatch, has called his language "disgraceful and unacceptable". In 2006, Andrew Neil likened Ross' style to football hooliganism.Once the bad boy of Channel Four, Jonathan Ross hadn't moderated his style but he became the BBC's most valued broadcaster, with a reputed salary of £6 million a year. In October 2008, Ross caused a major controversy when he left obscene messages with Russell Brand on the answerphone of veteran actor Andrew Sachs while guesting on Brand's Radio 2 show. He was suspended from the BBC for three months and also reprimanded by the BBC Trust over his explicit comments to actress Gwyneth Paltrow on his talk show earlier in the year. In 2009, it was announced that Ross was leaving the BBC in 2010 and in July 2010, the same month his last BBC programme went out, it was announced he had signed a deal to begin a new talk show on ITV1 in 2011. Show less «
I don't ever go to the theatre. I try and avoid it whenever possible.
I don't ever go to the theatre. I try and avoid it whenever possible.
I've made some good shows and I've made some dreadful shows.
I've made some good shows and I've made some dreadful shows.
Richard Curtis is one of the greatest comedy writers Britain has ever known . . . apart from the guy who used to write all Bob Monkhouse's j...Show more »
Richard Curtis is one of the greatest comedy writers Britain has ever known . . . apart from the guy who used to write all Bob Monkhouse's jokes, who never really got the credit he deserved. Show less «
Pirate DVDs are not a victimless crime but some people are still buying them and that's making me cranky. Just stop buying them - that's the...Show more »
Pirate DVDs are not a victimless crime but some people are still buying them and that's making me cranky. Just stop buying them - that's the message we want to get out there. Saying yes to a pirate DVD is saying yes to crime on your street. Show less «
Nothing can prepare you for quite how bad Gigli (2003) is.
Nothing can prepare you for quite how bad Gigli (2003) is.
I'd rather have chewed my own arm off than sit through something as putrid as Pearl Harbor (2001).
I'd rather have chewed my own arm off than sit through something as putrid as Pearl Harbor (2001).
If I ever see Richard Gere in Primal Fear (1996) or First Knight (1995) again it'll be much too soon, and the same goes for the ludicrous Ba...Show more »
If I ever see Richard Gere in Primal Fear (1996) or First Knight (1995) again it'll be much too soon, and the same goes for the ludicrous Battlefield Earth (2000). Show less «
As a youth when most of my friends were dreaming about being Sylvester Stallone or Michael Caine, I wanted to be Barry Norman.
As a youth when most of my friends were dreaming about being Sylvester Stallone or Michael Caine, I wanted to be Barry Norman.
[reviewing V for Vendetta (2005)] "If it had been called 'V for Vasectomy', I could scarcely have found it a less enjoyable experience."
[reviewing V for Vendetta (2005)] "If it had been called 'V for Vasectomy', I could scarcely have found it a less enjoyable experience."
[on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001)] I'm lucky because I have a lot of influence over my show. We don't book people unless I think I'...Show more »
[on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001)] I'm lucky because I have a lot of influence over my show. We don't book people unless I think I'm going to have fun with them and I have something I want to ask them. Show less «
One thinks making movies is glamorous, but here we are in Bethnal Green.
One thinks making movies is glamorous, but here we are in Bethnal Green.
The Avengers (1998) got some terrible reviews but I find it curiously satisfying.
The Avengers (1998) got some terrible reviews but I find it curiously satisfying.
It's shocking the lack of support the government gives the film industry. If it wasn't for the Bond movies and Harry Potter we'd be dead on ...Show more »
It's shocking the lack of support the government gives the film industry. If it wasn't for the Bond movies and Harry Potter we'd be dead on our feet. Show less «
I normally do things just for the huge amount of cash.
I normally do things just for the huge amount of cash.
Upsetting Norman Tebbit has given me some small sense of satisfaction because he's spent 12 years upsetting me.
Upsetting Norman Tebbit has given me some small sense of satisfaction because he's spent 12 years upsetting me.
I love good stupid movies and make no apology for that fact. I suspect I'm the only film critic in the country who's a fully paid-up member ...Show more »
I love good stupid movies and make no apology for that fact. I suspect I'm the only film critic in the country who's a fully paid-up member of the Adam Sandler Fan Club or who can quote whole scenes from that underrated masterpiece of contemporary film comedy Soul Plane (2004). Show less «
I'd rather written off Robin Williams, possibly as a consequence of the trauma induced by Patch Adams (1998).
I'd rather written off Robin Williams, possibly as a consequence of the trauma induced by Patch Adams (1998).
Into the life of every film critic a little rain must fall, but even that knowledge, or the experience of watching four other dreadful Kevin...Show more »
Into the life of every film critic a little rain must fall, but even that knowledge, or the experience of watching four other dreadful Kevin Smith films, barely prepared me for the biblical deluge of awfulness that is Clerks II (2006). Even by the pitiful standards of films such as Mallrats (1995) and Dogma (1999), Mr Smith's latest work is breathtakingly shoddy. It's a real tribute to the man's shrewd use of the Internet to keep his profile alive that he's managed to sustain a career in the movie industry, as he has no detectable talent as writer, director, editor or actor. Show less «
[on presenting television coverage of the Live 8 concerts in 2005] It was, at times, very patronizing. I could have swapped Velvet Revolver ...Show more »
[on presenting television coverage of the Live 8 concerts in 2005] It was, at times, very patronizing. I could have swapped Velvet Revolver for just about anyone. I can understand why they did it. They wanted maximum exposure in the Western media and to do that they need stories. Pink Floyd reforming gets you an awful lot of attention. Other acts were chosen to attract different parts of a Western audience, certainly to get the media attention, which they achieved and which they wouldn't with African musicians. I regret not saying anything about it on the day. Show less «
Spice Girls are reforming - in the same way they reform meat into nuggets. God bless them, they're going to be reforming under the name Atom...Show more »
Spice Girls are reforming - in the same way they reform meat into nuggets. God bless them, they're going to be reforming under the name Atomic Mutton. Show less «
[on Jumper (2008)] Why Hayden Christensen keeps getting cast in lead roles in major films I've no idea. He was terrible in his two Star Wars...Show more »
[on Jumper (2008)] Why Hayden Christensen keeps getting cast in lead roles in major films I've no idea. He was terrible in his two Star Wars films and he's equally dismal here. Show less «
[on Michael Parkinson] He has stood above British television like a colossus. He is the greatest talk show host this country has ever, and I...Show more »
[on Michael Parkinson] He has stood above British television like a colossus. He is the greatest talk show host this country has ever, and I maintain will ever, produce. Show less «
I'm delighted to be staying with the BBC if only because it is the only studio I can drive to without getting lost. It is the best channel i...Show more »
I'm delighted to be staying with the BBC if only because it is the only studio I can drive to without getting lost. It is the best channel in the country, and I'm proud they want me back. Show less «
There are certain members of the press who may have an agenda against the BBC and me perhaps. In which case we don't listen to them.
There are certain members of the press who may have an agenda against the BBC and me perhaps. In which case we don't listen to them.
Music has always played a large part in my life and it's been a privilege to not only present most of my musical heroes but to give a leg up...Show more »
Music has always played a large part in my life and it's been a privilege to not only present most of my musical heroes but to give a leg up to the next generation. Show less «
My first television talk show The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross (1987) started on Channel 4 in 1987. It had been a big hit but after series...Show more »
My first television talk show The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross (1987) started on Channel 4 in 1987. It had been a big hit but after series four, despite it continuing to get pretty good ratings, we agreed with Channel 4 to stop. But I had grown accustomed to having my face on TV, and the money that comes with it, so I fronted a number of different programmes, none of which really worked. Anyway, this unhappy and unproductive period inevitably led to depression. I was stuck in a groove, basically drinking too much and spending my earnings none too wisely. I wanted to keep making shows because I didn't know what else to do, and because I thought I needed to keep earning the sort of money I had grown accustomed to. But earning that money by making shows I didn't care about made me far unhappier than being broke ever could have done. Show less «
My love affair with comics is more important to me than my love of films, or my work in TV, or just about anything outside my family. You're...Show more »
My love affair with comics is more important to me than my love of films, or my work in TV, or just about anything outside my family. You're hardwired for it, if you fall in love with comics when you're 11. And I think if there's one good thing I can maybe achieve with 'my celebrity', it's to try to broaden the horizons and widen the readership of this particular entertainment which I adore and which is somewhat belittled and denigrated and ignored. I just want to see comics getting a fair critical chance. Show less «
Even though I've done hundreds of hours of TV and radio, most of which - with a couple of minor missteps - have been well received, what I'm...Show more »
Even though I've done hundreds of hours of TV and radio, most of which - with a couple of minor missteps - have been well received, what I'm aware of always, and it's grown to slightly trouble me as I've got older, is that all the shows I do are somewhat parasitical, in that I'm feeding off others. If you do a movie review show or an interview show, you're talking to other people about work they've done. Show less «
My talk show is not an interview show as such, which is why I'm always bemused when critics say the interview wasn't very good. And I think,...Show more »
My talk show is not an interview show as such, which is why I'm always bemused when critics say the interview wasn't very good. And I think, but I'm not doing an interview! What I'm trying to do is make a comedy show. And that, trust me, is a fuck of a lot harder. Even though we're creating something in the moment that doesn't exist anywhere else, without them [my guests] I haven't got anything. And so I thought I really want to make something of mine. Show less «
I'm good at TV. And I like doing it. One of the hardest things about leaving the BBC was the fact that a lot of people love the shows, and I...Show more »
I'm good at TV. And I like doing it. One of the hardest things about leaving the BBC was the fact that a lot of people love the shows, and I feel I owe it to them and their loyalty not to waltz off. And part of the reason is I don't want the people who did come out against me to in any way have a sense of triumph. It's as simple as that. So it's really just to continue being an irritant. They're not people I have ever respected or liked, and if I can continue to be very publicly successful, that is its own reward for me. Not revenge, because I'm not about revenge. It's just about saying you're wrong. Your world view isn't right. We live in a country where it seems to be very much acceptable to be intensely judgmental about others - but I don't sit around judging people, and I find it very bizarre and peculiar that people judge me and then find different ways of justifying it. Show less «
[on the furore over his obscene phone call to Andrew Sachs in 2008] It wasn't pleasant having people camp outside my house, and it wasn't pl...Show more »
[on the furore over his obscene phone call to Andrew Sachs in 2008] It wasn't pleasant having people camp outside my house, and it wasn't pleasant people using me as a whipping boy. But you know what? You know what? It wasn't a big deal. So what? So what if a handful of idiots who write for a right-wing newspaper don't like me? Who cares? I don't. Show less «
[on the furore over his obscene phone call to Andrew Sachs in 2008] Can I be quite honest with you? In a way, the whole experience has been ...Show more »
[on the furore over his obscene phone call to Andrew Sachs in 2008] Can I be quite honest with you? In a way, the whole experience has been quite fun. Because it's been really odd. And interesting. And fun. Life can sometimes potter along in the same direction, and then something comes along over which you have no control. It was literally within about four days of it all kicking off that I just thought, you know what, there's no way I can control this, there's no way I can change this. So I've just got to not let it bother me. And then it became almost like I was watching it happen to somebody else. And it was quite entertaining. It was weird watching people get themselves into a lather over something so intrinsically unimportant as that. It was just silly. Silly people writing silly things. Show less «
I know the loveliest people who swear all the time, and the most awful people who never swear. It really doesn't mean anything.
I know the loveliest people who swear all the time, and the most awful people who never swear. It really doesn't mean anything.
People like coming on my show because they know they'll have fun and they know I'm going to be respectful to them. I'm never, you know, mean...Show more »
People like coming on my show because they know they'll have fun and they know I'm going to be respectful to them. I'm never, you know, mean-spirited. Show less «
[on asking David Cameron in an interview if he ever masturbated thinking about Margaret Thatcher] It wasn't intended to receive an answer, b...Show more »
[on asking David Cameron in an interview if he ever masturbated thinking about Margaret Thatcher] It wasn't intended to receive an answer, but rather to get a laugh - which it did. A big one, if I remember rightly. So job done. Show less «
[on the final episode of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001)] I promised Morrissey (Morrissey) I wasn't going to cry.
[on the final episode of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001)] I promised Morrissey (Morrissey) I wasn't going to cry.
[on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001)] One of the real delights for me doing this show has been the music we've had on. Over the years ...Show more »
[on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (2001)] One of the real delights for me doing this show has been the music we've had on. Over the years we've had just some of the best performers in the history of modern popular music. Show less «
[on Roxy Music] One of the greatest bands this country's ever produced.
[on Roxy Music] One of the greatest bands this country's ever produced.
[on being a punk] I wore plastic trousers and winkle-pickers; my hair was spiky, greased and lacquered. But I wasn't going out to cause trou...Show more »
[on being a punk] I wore plastic trousers and winkle-pickers; my hair was spiky, greased and lacquered. But I wasn't going out to cause trouble. I just liked the look. Show less «
I am thrilled and excited that after a short break I will be rolling up my sleeves and creating a brand-new show for ITV1. I cannot wait to ...Show more »
I am thrilled and excited that after a short break I will be rolling up my sleeves and creating a brand-new show for ITV1. I cannot wait to get back on screen with a fast, funny and unpredictable new talk show. I do have a little spare time, though, so if England needs a temporary new manager I will consider the post seriously. Show less «
I've been passionate about music ever since I purchased my first single, "Pearl's a Singer" by Elkie Brooks. I was young, we all make mistak...Show more »
I've been passionate about music ever since I purchased my first single, "Pearl's a Singer" by Elkie Brooks. I was young, we all make mistakes. Show less «
I saw The Stooges way back in the Seventies when Iggy (Iggy Pop) on stage was just a primal force of nature. Who could have dreamt that one ...Show more »
I saw The Stooges way back in the Seventies when Iggy (Iggy Pop) on stage was just a primal force of nature. Who could have dreamt that one day I would seek and value his advice on car insurance? Show less «
Back in the Seventies I spent three whole years at an Emerson Lake and Palmer gig - and that was just the drum solo.
Back in the Seventies I spent three whole years at an Emerson Lake and Palmer gig - and that was just the drum solo.
[on receiving the Music Industry Trusts' Award from George Michael] George Michael, wow. I thought you were dead. And he's giving me a lift ...Show more »
[on receiving the Music Industry Trusts' Award from George Michael] George Michael, wow. I thought you were dead. And he's giving me a lift home, I can't believe my luck. Show less «
I love and admire George (George Michael) because he is so remarkably, uncompromisingly, perhaps even foolishly, his own man. I'm not talkin...Show more »
I love and admire George (George Michael) because he is so remarkably, uncompromisingly, perhaps even foolishly, his own man. I'm not talking about his recent late-night driving madness here, or indeed the brief stay 'inside' at her Majesty's Pleasure that was the inevitable end result. No, it's because the cherry on top of his remarkable talent is that he is a modern, gay man who refuses to act embarrassed, or even pay lip-service to dominant hetero-culture - instead offering himself up as a radical and yet much-needed alternative role model to young gay men who don't embrace camp or feminised homosexual behaviour as their own. A strong, butch, unashamedly gay man who does what he wants, when he wants to. I have nothing but admiration for his talent. Nothing but respect for his courage in the face of the sneering press that seek to diminish or destroy those that are different to them. And nothing but love for the whole package. Show less «
I am delighted to be hosting the BBC's coverage of the Live Earth (2007) event as I am passionate about saving the planet. After all, I am t...Show more »
I am delighted to be hosting the BBC's coverage of the Live Earth (2007) event as I am passionate about saving the planet. After all, I am the man who put the 'W's in rainforests. Show less «
Congratulations to Simon Cowell on a landmark birthday... 50 and not out! Or is that just a rumour?
Congratulations to Simon Cowell on a landmark birthday... 50 and not out! Or is that just a rumour?
[on Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)] Spectacular photography, excellent performances and a powerful story make this one of the year's best films. ...Show more »
[on Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)] Spectacular photography, excellent performances and a powerful story make this one of the year's best films. The kids - Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan and especially Everlyn Sampi as Molly - are superb, as is Branagh (Kenneth Branagh) as Neville, the Chief Protector of Aborigines. The actor wonderfully captures the fanaticism behind Neville's beliefs. But the real star is director Phillip Noyce, who not only brings out such moving performances from his young actors but manages the tone of the film with such skill that you never feel you are being manipulated and can respond to the moving story and beautiful images as you wish. Marvellous and memorable. Show less «
[on his critics in the press] They're not people I respect and I can't see how they have any respect for themselves.
[on his critics in the press] They're not people I respect and I can't see how they have any respect for themselves.
If you're not upsetting the Daily Mail you're doing something wrong. They're the most noxious human beings. And we know they're hypocrites a...Show more »
If you're not upsetting the Daily Mail you're doing something wrong. They're the most noxious human beings. And we know they're hypocrites and insincere. Show less «
I am about as big a fan of David Bowie as you will find on the planet.
I am about as big a fan of David Bowie as you will find on the planet.
I love Cheryl (Cheryl), I think Cheryl's an incredible performer. I saw Girls Aloud once and of all the girls on stage she was, I think, the...Show more »
I love Cheryl (Cheryl), I think Cheryl's an incredible performer. I saw Girls Aloud once and of all the girls on stage she was, I think, the most accomplished, the way she moved and the way she sang. Show less «
[on guests he couldn't book for his talk shows] Unfortunately, the people I want are the ones who won't do it, like George Clooney, Michael ...Show more »
[on guests he couldn't book for his talk shows] Unfortunately, the people I want are the ones who won't do it, like George Clooney, Michael Caine and Jack Nicholson. Michael recently sent me a charming letter, saying, 'Nothing personal, but I just don't feel comfortable doing talk shows anymore!' (Caine did eventually appear in 2016) Show less «
[on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie] They're so startlingly attractive, I felt I needed to sit down! It's like your breath leaves your body. I ...Show more »
[on Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie] They're so startlingly attractive, I felt I needed to sit down! It's like your breath leaves your body. I was also starstuck meeting Barbra Streisand, as I'm a huge fan of hers, and with Sylvester Stallone - he's Rambo! Show less «
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