Luke Kempner

{{Short description|English impressionist, comedian and actor (born 1987)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Luke Kempner

| birth_name = Luke Garrod Kempner

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Burstow, Surrey, England

| occupation = {{hlist|Impressionist|comedian|actor}}

| alma_mater = Guildford School of Acting

| television =

| spouse = {{marriage|Alana MacFarlane|2016}}

| relatives = Sooz Kempner (sister)

| website = https://www.lukekempner.com/

| children = 1

}}

Luke Garrod Kempner (born 5 June 1987) is an English impressionist, comedian and actor. After appearing in various films and musicals, he established a career in comedy, developing his own stand-up comedy show, and has since appeared as an impressionist on numerous sketch shows including Newzoids (2016), Tracey Ullman's Show (2017), Murder in Successville (2017), Spitting Image (2020–2021), The Last Leg (2021) and Deep Fake Neighbour Wars (2023), as well as appearing regularly on Big Brother's Bit on the Side (2016–2018).

Early and personal life

Luke Garrod Kempner was born on 5 June 1987 to Mark and Anna Kempner ({{née}} Schneider) in Smallfield, a settlement in Burstow, Surrey, England.{{cite web |title=Interview: Luke Kempner, Surrey's Downton impressionist |url=https://www.essentialsurrey.co.uk/surrey-sw-london-things-to-do/theatre-arts/surrey-impressionist-luke-kempner/ |work=Essential Surrey |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=2 November 2015 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627021851/https://www.essentialsurrey.co.uk/surrey-sw-london-things-to-do/theatre-arts/surrey-impressionist-luke-kempner/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Luke Garrod KEMPNER |url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=279605418:2735&d=bmd_1689976433 |work=freeBMD |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233104/https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=279605418:2735&d=bmd_1689976433 |url-status=live }} He is the younger brother of comedian Sooz Kempner.{{cite web |title='I almost died. Just kidding! I only broke my leg': comedians share their Edinburgh fringe horror stories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/aug/05/comedians-worst-edinburgh-ed-byrne-grace-campbell-john-robins-olga-koch-paul-sinha |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 August 2023 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807055701/https://amp.theguardian.com/stage/2023/aug/05/comedians-worst-edinburgh-ed-byrne-grace-campbell-john-robins-olga-koch-paul-sinha |url-status=live }} Kempner attended Burstow Primary School and subsequently Oakwood School in Horley. He then went on to attend Reigate College and studied drama at the Guildford School of Acting. Kempner said he "[impersonated] the teachers all the way through [his] education."{{cite web |title=Impressionist Luke Kempner: 'I do sometimes get mixed up!' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bmw2q0 |website=BBC |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133431/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bmw2q0 |url-status=live }}

Kempner married Alana MacFarlane in 2016 and they have a daughter, born in 2021.

Career

After finishing drama school, Kempner began his career as an actor, portraying minor roles in the films Fathers of Girls (2009) and Fly Trap (2010) and appearing in musicals including Lift, Les Misérables, South Pacific and Avenue Q but said that he "always wanted to do [his] comedy professionally."{{cite web |title=Fathers of Girls, Film |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/136066/fathers-of-girls |work=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233107/https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/136066/fathers-of-girls |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Fly Trap at Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fly_trap |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233146/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fly_trap |url-status=live }}

In 2012, he began posting videos of himself impersonating celebrities including Andy Murray and Tom Daley, however it wasn't until his comedy skit Downstairs at Downton, inspired by the characters of the ITV drama Downton Abbey, gained traction on social media and his career as a comedian and impressionist subsequently took off. He developed the online sketch into a one-man show titled The Only Way Is Downton, touring around the UK at venues including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and later developing an American version America's Got Downton that he performed in the United States.{{cite web |title=Wednesday's best TV: What Britain Bought In 2015, Charlie Brooker's End Of Year Wipe 2015, and more |url=https://theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/dec/30/wednesdays-best-tv |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=30 December 2015 |archive-date=30 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830114733/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/dec/30/wednesdays-best-tv |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner and Tom Neenan do their best Attenborough and Love Island impressions in The Trip spoof |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a835195/luke-kempner-tom-neenan-the-trip-to-edinburgh-david-attenborough/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=9 August 2017 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233111/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a835195/luke-kempner-tom-neenan-the-trip-to-edinburgh-david-attenborough/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2015, Kempner fronted his own ITV2 sketch show Luke Kempner's Impression of 2015, which featured Kempner's various impersonations of celebrities. In 2016, he appeared in an episode of Drunk History and provided the voices for the ITV sketch show Newzoids, before joining Big Brother's Bit on the Side as a regular comedian and impressionsist, in which he impersonated the housemates throughout the series.{{cite web |title=Drunk History, Series 2, Episode 6 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/drunk_history/episodes/2/6/ |work=British Comedy Guide |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703201930/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/drunk_history/episodes/2/6/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Impressionist heads to Eastleigh |url=https://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2019/01/tv-impressionist-heads-to-eastleigh/ |website=Eastleigh News |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233735/https://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2019/01/tv-impressionist-heads-to-eastleigh/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Big Brother legends bid farewell as reality show airs final episode on Channel 5 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/big-brother-legends-bid-farewell-final-series-channel-5/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 November 2018 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233740/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/big-brother-legends-bid-farewell-final-series-channel-5/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner at SpeakOut |url=https://speakout.uk/speaker/luke-kempner/#:~:text=Luke%20Kempner%20is%20an%20impressionist,for%20a%20full%20nine%20series. |website=Speak Out |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814234640/https://speakout.uk/speaker/luke-kempner/#:~:text=Luke%20Kempner%20is%20an%20impressionist,for%20a%20full%20nine%20series. |url-status=live }} In 2017, he appeared as various characters in Tracey Ullman's Show and Murder in Successville.{{cite web |title=Professor Green, Richard Osman and Reggie Yates join Tom Davis in Murder in Successville |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/professor-green-richard-osman-and-reggie-yates-join-tom-davis-in-murder-in-successville/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 February 2017 |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518054502/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/professor-green-richard-osman-and-reggie-yates-join-tom-davis-in-murder-in-successville/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Tracey Ullman's Show |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08jkwzv |work=BBC |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806060715/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08jkwzv |url-status=live }}

In 2019, he narrated the ITV2 dating series Singletown.{{cite web |title=Meet the hilarious voice over of ITV's Singletown – move over Iain Stirling! |url=https://www.realitytitbit.com/itv/meet-the-hilarious-voice-over-of-itvs-singletown-move-over-iain-stirling |website=Reality Titbit |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 September 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814234611/https://www.realitytitbit.com/itv/meet-the-hilarious-voice-over-of-itvs-singletown-move-over-iain-stirling |url-status=live }} In 2020, Kempner appeared as a contestant on the first series of Celebrity Karaoke Club, and finished in third place.{{cite web |title=Who is Celebrity Karaoke Club star Luke Kempner and how is he famous? |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/luke-kempner-youtube-famous/ |website=Heart |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118222014/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/luke-kempner-youtube-famous/ |url-status=live }} Between 2020 and 2021, he provided the voices for the puppets on the revival series of Spitting Image and went on to star in the musical adaption.{{cite web |title='Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical' announces cast and voiceover artists |url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/idiots-assemble-spitting-image-the-musical-cast-and-voiceover-artists |work=London Theatre |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727131851/https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/idiots-assemble-spitting-image-the-musical-cast-and-voiceover-artists |url-status=live }} In 2021, he appeared as various characters in The Last Leg.{{cite web |title=The Last Leg, Series 22, Episode 4 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_last_leg/episodes/22/4/ |work=British Comedy Guide |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404023626/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_last_leg/episodes/22/4/ |url-status=live }}

In 2022, Kempner toured his new show Macho Macho Man at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which was described as a "deep dive into the thorny issues of modern masculinity" and ranked four out of five stars by The Daily Telegraph.{{cite web |title=Edinburgh Fringe comedy reviews: the best shows of 2022, from Sam Campbell to Lara Ricote |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/edinburgh-fringe-reviews-2022-best-comedy-shows-awards-highlights/ |website=Daily Telegraph |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=27 August 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224224457/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/edinburgh-fringe-reviews-2022-best-comedy-shows-awards-highlights/ |url-status=live }} In 2023, Kempner impersonated various celebrities in the ITV2 comedy series Deep Fake Neighbour Wars, before it was announced he would be appearing in the West End production of Les Misérables as Thénardier. He later reprised the role in the 2025 World Arena Concert Tour of the show.{{cite web |title=Who are the comedians and impressionists behind the famous faces in Deep Fake Neighbour Wars? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/27/deep-fake-neighbour-wars-who-are-the-comedians-behind-famous-faces-18172622/ |website=Metro |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=27 January 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204124418/https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/27/deep-fake-neighbour-wars-who-are-the-comedians-behind-famous-faces-18172622/amp/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner joins Les Mis |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2023/08/10/53808/luke_kempner_joins_les_mis |work=Chortle |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814234619/https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2023/08/10/53808/luke_kempner_joins_les_mis |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner and more to join West End cast of Les Misérables |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/luke-kempner-and-more-to-join-west-end-cast-of-les-miserables_1517624/ |website=WhatsOnStage |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811053407/https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/luke-kempner-and-more-to-join-west-end-cast-of-les-miserables_1517624/ |url-status=live }}

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes ! class="unsortable" \| {{Abbr\|Ref.\|Reference(s)}}
2009 \| Fathers of Girls \| Simon \| Film \| align="center" \| "
2010 \| Fly Trap \| Jack \| Film \| align="center" \|
2015 \| Luke Kempner's Impression of 2015 \| Various \| Sketch show \| align="center" \|
2016 \| Drunk History \| Dr. William Beatty \| 1 episode \| align="center" \|
2016 \| Newzoids \| Various \| 1 episode \| align="center" \|
2016–2018 \| Big Brother's Bit on the Side \| Himself \| Regular guest \| align="center" \|
2016–2018 \| Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side \| Himself \| Regular guest \| align="center" \|
2017 \| Tracey Ullman's Show \| Various \| Sketch show \| align="center" \|
2017 \| Episodes \| TV writer \| 1 episode \| align="center" \|
2017 \| Murder in Successville \| Various \| Sketch show \| align="center" \|
2019 \| Singletown \| Himself \| Narrator \| align="center" \|
2020–2021 \| Spitting Image \| Various \| Sketch show \| align="center" \|
2020 \| Celebrity Karaoke Club \| Himself \| Contestant \| align="center" \|
2021 \| The Last Leg \| Various \| One Episode \| align="center" \|
2023 \| Deep Fake Neighbour Wars \| Various \| Sketch show \| align="center" \|
2023 \|Pointless Celebrities \|Himself \|Contestant \| {{Cite web \|date=2023-08-12 \|title=BBC iPlayer - Pointless Celebrities - Series 16: Special \|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001pnx0/pointless-celebrities-series-16-special \|access-date=2023-08-19 \|website=BBC iPlayer}}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}}

2009

| Fathers of Girls

| Simon

| Film

| align="center" | "

2010

| Fly Trap

| Jack

| Film

| align="center" |

2015

| Luke Kempner's Impression of 2015

| Various

| Sketch show

| align="center" |

2016

| Drunk History

| Dr. William Beatty

| 1 episode

| align="center" |

2016

| Newzoids

| Various

| 1 episode

| align="center" |

2016–2018

| Big Brother's Bit on the Side

| Himself

| Regular guest

| align="center" |

2016–2018

| Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side

| Himself

| Regular guest

| align="center" |

2017

| Tracey Ullman's Show

| Various

| Sketch show

| align="center" |

2017

| Episodes

| TV writer

| 1 episode

| align="center" |

2017

| Murder in Successville

| Various

| Sketch show

| align="center" |

2019

| Singletown

| Himself

| Narrator

| align="center" |

2020–2021

| Spitting Image

| Various

| Sketch show

| align="center" |

2020

| Celebrity Karaoke Club

| Himself

| Contestant

| align="center" |

2021

| The Last Leg

| Various

| One Episode

| align="center" |

2023

| Deep Fake Neighbour Wars

| Various

| Sketch show

| align="center" |

2023

|Pointless Celebrities

|Himself

|Contestant

| {{Cite web |date=2023-08-12 |title=BBC iPlayer - Pointless Celebrities - Series 16: Special |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001pnx0/pointless-celebrities-series-16-special |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=BBC iPlayer}}

References

External links

{{IMDb name}}

Category:1987 births

Category:21st-century English male actors

Category:Alumni of the Guildford School of Acting

Category:Comedians from Surrey

Category:English impressionists (entertainers)

Category:English male comedians

Category:English male musical theatre actors

Category:Jewish English comedians

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Surrey

Category:People from Tandridge (district)