Andy Nyman

{{Short description|English actor, director and writer (born 1966)}}

{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Andy Nyman

| image =

| imagesize =

| birth_name = Andrew Nyman

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1966|4|13}}

| birth_place = Leicester, Leicestershire, England

| education = Guildhall School of Music and Drama

| occupation = {{flatlist|

  • Actor
  • director
  • writer
  • singer
  • magician

}}

| years_active = 1989–present

| spouse = Sophie Abbott{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/reviews/4766029/Desert-island-kit-Andy-Nyman.html |title=Desert island kit: Andy Nyman |first=Lauren |last=McCormack |date=6 September 2001 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London, UK |access-date=21 August 2018}}

| children = 2

| website = {{URL|http://www.andynyman.com/|AndyNyman.com}}

| footnotes =

}}

Andrew Nyman (born 13 April 1966) is an English actor, director, writer, singer and magician. He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for his performance as Tevye in the 2019 West End revival of Fiddler on the Roof.{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/ghost-stories-movie-trailer |title=Ghost Stories Trailer Promises Three Terrifying Stories |date=11 January 2018 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=21 August 2018}}

Early life and career

Nyman was born on 13 April 1966 in Leicester, Leicestershire. His first noteworthy performance was in 2000 as Keith Whitehead in Dead Babies,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/239386/Dead-Babies/overview |title=Dead Babies |access-date=4 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306133941/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/239386/Dead-Babies/overview |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=dead |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=The New York Times |author=Mark Deming |date=2016 }} an adaptation of the Martin Amis novel of the same name. Soon after he appeared alongside Jon Voight, David Schwimmer and Leelee Sobieski in Jon Avnet's 2001 Emmy award-winning film Uprising{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250798/awards |title=Uprising |publisher=IMDb |access-date=21 August 2018}} as a Polish-Jewish freedom fighter.

His next film role was in the 2003 film Coney Island Baby as a gay French gun dealer. In 2006 he appeared in horror-comedy Severance, Herman Brood biopic Wild Romance and British romcom Are You Ready for Love?. That same year Nyman won the award for best actor at the 2006 Cherbourg-Octeville Festival of Irish & British Film for his role as Colin Frampton in Shut Up and Shoot Me.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0638762/ |title=Andy Nyman |publisher=IMDb |access-date=21 August 2018}} In 2007, Nyman appeared as one of the leads in the Frank Oz film Death at a Funeral, starring opposite Matthew Macfadyen, Ewen Bremner and Keely Hawes. In 2008, he starred as Patrick, a sleazy reality show producer, in Charlie Brooker's E4 horror satire Dead Set,{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285482/ |title=Dead Set |publisher=IMDb |access-date=21 August 2018}} and appeared in BBC Four's supernatural drama series Crooked House.

Nyman portrayed the recurring character Jonty de Wolf in Channel 4's semi-improvised show Campus. In 2013, he appeared in Kick-Ass 2, as "The Tumor". He did voice over work as the character Bag for the series Sarah & Duck and Chuggington, and portrayed a young Winston Churchill in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders. In 2014 Nyman played the role of Charles Guiteau in the Stephen Sondheim musical Assassins at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and appeared in the film Automata with Antonio Banderas and Dylan McDermott.

In 2014, Nyman was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |date=7 August 2014 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=26 August 2014}}

Work with Derren Brown

As an accomplished magician and mentalist, Nyman has frequently collaborated with psychological illusionist Derren Brown. He is the co-creator and co-writer of the television shows Derren Brown – Mind Control and Trick of the Mind. He and Brown wrote Russian Roulette, Séance and Messiah, as well as three series of Trick of the Mind. He also co-wrote and co-directed four of Brown's stage shows,{{cite web |url=http://www.andynyman.com/magic.html |title=Magic |website=Andy Nyman |access-date=26 August 2014}} all of which have toured and played the West End. For Something Wicked This Way Comes they were awarded the 2006 Olivier Award for Best Entertainment.

Their fourth show Enigma was also nominated for Olivier Award 2010, and he was nominated for the Lew Grade Award at the 2007 BAFTA Awards for his work on Derren Brown: The Heist (alongside collaborators Derren Brown, Simon Mills and Ben Caron). Nyman shares some of his magic "know-how" in the DVD, Insane.{{cite web |url=https://store.theory11.com/products/insane-andy-nyman |title=Insane, Andy Nyman |website=Theory11.com |access-date=21 August 2018}} Their latest collaboration is entitled Sacrifice, which opened in March 2015 in the UK, and was premiered on Netflix in 2018.{{cite web |url=http://derrenbrown.co.uk/stage-screen/ |title=Stage & Screen |website=Derren Brown |access-date=21 August 2018}}

''Ghost Stories''

Nyman is co-creator of the long-running horror stage-play Ghost Stories. The show opened at the Liverpool Playhouse on 4 February 2010; from there it moved to the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, before transferring to the Duke of York's Theatre in the West End, opening on 25 June 2010.

Since then it has played in Moscow and Toronto, and was nominated for two Olivier Awards in 2011, Best Sound and Best Entertainment. Nyman and Jeremy Dyson co-wrote the show and co-directed it along with Sean Holmes. The stage play Ghost Stories finished after 1,000 shows in the Duke of York's, on 15 March 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/89655/uk-smash-hit-ghost-stories-close-1000th-performance/ |title=UK Smash Hit Ghost Stories to Close After 1,000th Performance |first=Gareth |last=Jones |date=13 February 2015 |publisher=Dread Central |access-date=21 August 2018}}

A film adaptation premiered in 2017, starring Nyman, Paul Whitehouse and Martin Freeman.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/05/ghost-stories-review-martin-freeman-paul-whitehouse-london-film-festival-2017 |title=Ghost Stories review – Martin Freeman and Paul Whitehouse shine in dreamlike spookfest |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Peter |date=5 October 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=5 October 2017}}

Personal life

Nyman is Jewish and attended Jewish summer camp.[http://www.derrenbrowninfo.co.uk/interviews/andy_nyman_interview/ "Andy Nyman – SomethingJewish.co.uk"] Accessed 26 January 2019.[https://www.thejc.com/culture/features/andy-nyman-we-owe-it-all-to-jewish-summer-camp-1.469047 "'We owe it all to Jewish summer camp.'"] White, Francine.The Jewish Chronicle. Published 30 August 2018. Accessed 26 January 2019.

Filmography

=Film=

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Role

! Note

1999The CriminalForensic Scientist 1
2000Dead BabiesKeith
2000Being ConsideredShoe Salesman / Chauffeur
2003Coney Island BabyFranko
2005ZemanovaloadBruce Robenitz
2005Shut Up and Shoot MeColin
2006PlayedDanny
2006SeveranceGordon
2006Wild RomanceLeo Leitner
2006Are You Ready for Love?Barry Schneider
2007Death at a FuneralHoward
2007This Is What It IsChris
2008The Brothers BloomCharleston
2009The TournamentTech Eddie
2010Black DeathDalywag
2011The Glass ManMartin Pritte
2013Kick-Ass 2The Tumor
2014ABCs of Death 2Coke DealerSegment "A" (A is for Amateur)
2014AutómataTom Ellis
2015Shaun the Sheep MovieNuts (voice)
2015Bone in the ThroatRonnie the Rug
2015MinionsAdditional voices
2017Despicable Me 3Clive the Robot (voice)
2017Ghost StoriesProfessor Phillip Goodman
2017Star Wars: The Last JediJail Guard
2018The CommuterTony
2019JudyDan
2019A Shaun the Sheep Movie: FarmageddonNuts (voice)
2021Jungle CruiseSir James Hobbs-Cunningham
2024That ChristmasMr. Beccles (voice)
2024Wicked''Governor Frexspar Thropp

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

rowspan="2"|1989Birds of a FeatherJohnEpisode: "Substitute"
The Woman in BlackJackieTelevision film
1989-1995The BillVarious characters3 episodes
1991Five Children and ItBaker's BoyEpisode: "Episode Four"
1992Archer's GoonMuseum AttendantEpisode #1.4
rowspan="2"|1995Health and EfficiencyThe PhotographerEpisode: "You Bet Your Life"
New VoicesJimEpisode: "Spendaware Family"
1997EastEndersNeil Kaplan1 episode
2000–2001Peak PracticeRob Hallet2 episodes
rowspan="2"|2001Baddiel's SyndromeIan the Valet ParkerEpisode: "In the Valley of the Blind"
UprisingCalel WasserTelevision film
2002The League of GentlemenCarlEpisode: "Turn Again Geoff Tipps"
2004Coming UpLeonEpisode: "Tame"
rowspan="2"|2008Dead SetPatrick Goad5 episodes
Crooked HouseNicholas Duncalfe2 episodes
2008–2013ChuggingtonChatsworth and Dunbar and Felix (voices)62 episodes
2009Comedy Showcaserowspan="2"|Jonty de WolfeEpisode: "Campus"
2009–2011Campus7 episodes
2010Captain BicepsCivilians (voice)Episode: "Taupeman"
2010–2011The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!Barry and Tango and Zapata (voices)UK version only
2011Timmy TimeVoiceEpisode: "Timmy's Cookie"
rowspan="3"|2012Chuggington: Badge QuestDunbar (voice)Episode: "Safeguarder Wilson"
Shaun the SheepNuts (voice)Episode: "Shaun the Fugitive"
Olly the Little White VanVarious voicesEpisode: "Train Trouble"
2012, 2014PsychobitchesVarious characters2 episodes
rowspan="2"|2013HollistonAxl the Cat (voice)Episode: "Blobby"
Peaky BlindersWinston Churchill3 episodes
2013–2017Sarah & DuckVarious voices36 episodes
rowspan="3"|2015The Eichmann ShowDavid LandorTelevision film
Ballot MonkeysGerry Stagg5 episodes
Shaun the Sheep: The Farmer's LlamasNutsTelevision film
2016Power MonkeysGerry6 episodes
2017Election SpyJames9 episodes
2018WanderlustJames Marcham4 episodes
2019HannaJacobs3 episodes
2020Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy BottomVoiceTV series
rowspan="3"|2021UnforgottenDean Barton6 episodes
GrantchesterRoy ReevesEpisode #6.1
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before ChristmasAdditional voicesTelevision film
rowspan="2"|2022DodgerSir Thomas PettigrewEpisode: "Mummy"
The CaptureHome Secretary Rowan Gill6 episodes
2023A Small LightHermann van Pels7 episodes
2025LockerbieEdwin BollierEpisode: 1.3

=Theatre=

class="wikitable"

|+

!Year

!Title

!Role

!Venue

rowspan="3" |2010

| rowspan="3" |Ghost Stories

| rowspan="3" |Professor Phillip Goodman

|Liverpool Playhouse

Lyric Theatre Hammersmith
Duke of York's Theatre
rowspan="2" |2012

| rowspan="2" |Abigail's Party

| rowspan="2" |Laurence Moss

|Menier Chocolate Factory

Wyndham's Theatre{{cite web |date=30 January 2012 |title=Andy Nyman & Natalie Casey join Abigail's Party at Menier |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/01-2012/andy-nyman-and-natalie-casey-join-abigails-party-a_5575.html |access-date=21 August 2018 |publisher=WhatsOnStage.com}}
2014

|Assassins

|Charles J. Guiteau

|Menier Chocolate Factory{{cite magazine |last=Shenton |first=Mark |date=8 September 2014 |title=London Assassins at Menier Chocolate Factory to Include Catherine Tate, Andy Nyman and Mike McShane |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/london-assassins-at-menier-chocolate-factory-to-include-catherine-tate-andy-nyman-and-mike-mcshane-com-329924 |access-date=21 August 2018 |magazine=Playbill}}

2015

|Hangmen

|Syd

|Wyndham's Theatre{{cite web |title=Hangmen (West End) |url=http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/hangmen-west-end |access-date=21 August 2018 |website=Royal Court Theatre}}

2018

| rowspan="2" |Fiddler on the Roof

| rowspan="2" |Tevye

|Menier Chocolate Factory

2019

|Playhouse Theatre

rowspan="2" |2022

|Leopoldstadt

|Hermann

|Princess of Wales Theatre

Hangmen

|Syd

|John Golden Theatre

2024

|Hello, Dolly!

|Horace Vandergelder

|London Palladium{{cite web |title=Andy Nyman and Jenna Russell Join Imelda Staunton in the New Production of the Iconic Musical, Hello Dolly! |url=https://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/hello-dolly-andy-nyman |access-date=13 January 2020 |website=bestoftheatre.co.uk}}

2024-2025

|rowspan=2|The Producers

|rowspan=2|Max Bialystock

|Menier Chocolate Factory[https://playbill.com/article/andy-nyman-and-marc-antolin-will-lead-mel-brooks-the-producers-at-menier-chocolate-factory Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin Will Lead Mel Brooks' The Producers at Menier Chocolate Factory]

2025-2026

| Garrick Theatre

Awards and nominations

= Theatre =

class="wikitable"

!Year

!Award

!Category

!Work

!Result

!Ref.

2006

|Laurence Olivier Award{{cite web|title=Winners & Nominees 2006|url=http://www.olivierawards.com/about/previous-winners/view/item98373/olivier-winners-2006/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229044604/http://www.olivierawards.com/about/previous-winners/view/item98373/olivier-winners-2006/|archive-date=29 December 2014|access-date=29 December 2014|publisher=Olivier Awards}}

|Best Entertainment

|Something Wicked This Way Comes

|{{won}}

|

2010

|Laurence Olivier Award{{Cite web|title=Olivier Awards Winners 2010 -Official London Theatre|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-2010/|access-date=2021-01-22|publisher=Olivier Awards}}

|Best Entertainment

|Enigma

|{{nom}}

|

2011

|Laurence Olivier Award{{Cite web|title=Olivier Winners 2011|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-2011/|access-date=2021-01-18|publisher=Olivier Awards}}

|Best Entertainment

|Ghost Stories

|{{nom}}

|

2018

|Drama Desk Award{{Cite web|title=SpongeBob SquarePants & More Win 2018 Drama Desk Awards|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/192382/spongebob-squarepants-more-win-2018-drama-desk-awards/|access-date=2021-01-18|publisher=Broadway.com}}

|Unique Theatrical Experience

|Derren Brown: Secret

|{{won}}

|

2019

|Evening Standard Theatre Award{{Cite web|date=2019-11-04|title=The 2019 Evening Standard Theatre Awards shortlist in full|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-2019-shortlist-in-full-a4277791.html|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Evening Standard|location=London}}{{Cite web|last=Paskett|first=Zoe|date=2019-11-25|title=The 2019 Evening Standard Theatre Awards winners in full|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-winners-2019-a4294246.html|access-date=2021-01-22|website=Evening Standard|location=London}}

|Best Musical Performance

| rowspan="2" |Fiddler on the Roof

|{{nom}}

|

2020

|Laurence Olivier Award{{Cite web|title=Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard – Theatre's Biggest Night|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/olivier-awards-2020/|access-date=2021-01-18|publisher=Olivier Awards}}

|Best Actor in a Musical

|{{nom}}

|

= Other =

  • 2006 – Cherbourg-Octeville Festival of Irish and British Film – Best Actor – Shut Up and Shoot Me{{cite web|title=Cherbourg-Octeville Festival of Irish & British Film (2006)|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000161/2006/1/|access-date=21 August 2018|publisher=IMDb}}
  • 2008 – Member of the Inner Magic Circle{{cite web|date=2014|title=The Magic Circle President promotes a Knight, a Dragon and Student Doctor of Magic|url=http://www.themagiccircle.co.uk/news/855-the-magic-circle-president-promotes-a-knight-a-dragon-and-student-doctor-of-magic|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229050028/http://www.themagiccircle.co.uk/news/855-the-magic-circle-president-promotes-a-knight-a-dragon-and-student-doctor-of-magic|archive-date=29 December 2014|access-date=29 December 2014|website=The Magic Circle}}

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/10-2007/20-questions-with-andy-nyman_20439.html |title=20 Questions with Andy Nyman |date=8 October 2007 |publisher=WhatsOnStage.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141229024504/http://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/10-2007/20-questions-with-andy-nyman_20439.html |archive-date=29 December 2014}}

}}