How many films has Richard Curtis written and who is the Comic Relief founder’s partner Emma Freud?... (original) (raw)

RICHARD Curtis is the man responsible for bringing us some the most iconic comedy films in British history.

We take a look at his incredible career, which also saw him found Comic Relief.

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Richard Curtis is a British film-makerCredit: Getty - Contributor

How many films has Richard Curtis written?

Richard, 62, was born November 8, 1956 and is one of Britain's most successful comedy screenwriters.

He has been responsible for the biggest British comedy movies over the last 25 years.

Here are his biggest films (in order of popularity):

• Love Actually (2003) The film follows the lives of eight very different couples in dealing with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.
• About Time (2013) At the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.
• Notting Hill (1999) The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world.
• Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) Over the course of five social occasions, a committed bachelor must consider the notion that he may have discovered love.
• Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) Bridget is determined to improve herself while she looks for love in a year in which she keeps a personal diary.
• The Boat That Rocked (2009) A band of rogue DJs that captivated Britain, playing the music that defined a generation and standing up to a government that wanted classical music, and nothing else, on the airwaves.

Richard's film-making has earned him a cool £23million.

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He wrote Four Weddings and a FuneralCredit: Kobal Collection - Shutterstock

What TV shows has Richard written?

Not only has Richard written some Box Office hits for the big screen, he is known for his work on the small screen too.

His biggest shows are (in order of popularity):

• The Vicar of Dibley (1994 to 2007) A woman vicar comes to serve in an eccentricly conservative small town's church.
• Blackadder (1983 to 1989) In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavours to seize the crown from his father and brother.
• Blackadder II (1986) In the Tudor court of Elizabeth I, Lord Edmund Blackadder strives to win Her Majesty's favour while attempting to avoid a grisly fate should he offend her.
• Mr. Bean (1990 to 1995) Life is a difficult challenge for Mr Bean, who despite being a grown adult, has trouble completing even the simplest of tasks. Thankfully, his perseverance is usually rewarded, and he finds an ingenious way around the problem.

When did Richard found Comic Relief?

Richard together, with Lenny Henry, co-founded and co-created Comic Relief in 1985.

They started the charity, which features Red Nose Day, in response to the famine in Ethiopia.

The charity, which also includes Sports Relief, has raised over £1billion.

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Richard wrote the Vicar Dibley starring Dawn French (right) and the late Emma Chambers (left)Credit: BBC

Has Richard received awards for his charity work?

Yes - the filmmaker was awarded the Global Citizen of the Year Prize in December 2019, which honours an individual who has demonstrated exceptional and sustained impact towards the goal of ending extreme poverty.

Richard was praised for the impact of his organisations Comic Relief, Sport Relief, Red Nose Day, and now Project Everyone, which is helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the past three decades, he has helped raise over $1.5 billion that has helped projects in the US, UK and across the world.

Accepting the award, Curtis said, "I obviously don’t deserve this - I was partly responsible for Bridget Jones Two and Mr Bean, but please, if you’re here or watching make a mark in your diary in ink. January 2020: the year I’m going to fight like a lion for our big human family. And then in December, in pencil, put ‘the year we won’. The time to hesitate is through. The only way to get things done is to do things."

The Global Citizen Prize award ceremony will air on December 21, 2019, at 7pm on Sky.

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His partner is producer and writer Emma FreudCredit: Rex Features

Who is Richard's partner Emma Freud?

Emma Freud (OBE) is a broadcaster, cultural commentator, producer and script editor.

While starting her career in television and radio, she has spent more recent years working as a script editor and associate producer – and has worked on a number of projects with Richard.

The couple have been together 28 years but have never married.

Speaking of why they have never got hitched she told Stylist: "I always thought that if we didn’t get married, we could never get divorced. "

Hugh Grant stars in Four Weddings and a Funeral as Charles, who improvises after forgetting the rings at the alter