Richard Ayoade
{{short description|British comedian and actor (born 1977)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Richard Ayoade
| image = Richard Ayoade 20241205.jpg
| caption = Ayoade at Waterstones, London in 2024
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1977|5|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = Hammersmith, London, England
| education = St Catharine's College, Cambridge (BA)
| occupation = {{hlist|Comedian|actor|writer|director|presenter}}
| yearsactive = 2000–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Lydia Fox|2007}}
| children = 2
| family = Fox family (by marriage)
}}
Richard Ayoade ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|aɪ|oʊ|ˈ|ɑː|d|i}} {{Respell|EYE|oh|AH|dee}}; born 23 May 1977) is a British{{cite web |url=https://www.port-magazine.com/film/richard-ayoade-what-i-find-funny/ |title=Richard Ayoade: What I Find Funny |last=Jenkins |first=Tom |date=2014-03-31 |website=Port Magazine |access-date=2022-08-21 |quote=Richard Ayoade is a British actor, writer, director and TV presenter.}}{{cite web |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/richard-ayoade-10-favourite-films/ |title=Richard Ayoade names his 10 favourite films of all time |last=Bose |first=Swapnil Dhruv |date=2021-10-19 |website=Far Out Magazine |access-date=2022-08-21 |quote=British actor and filmmaker Richard Ayoade is well known for his particular brand of comedy}} comedian, actor, writer, director and presenter. He played the role of socially awkward IT technician Maurice Moss in Channel 4 sitcom The IT Crowd (2006–2013), for which he won the 2014 BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance.
Ayoade was president of the Footlights club whilst a student at the University of Cambridge. He and Matthew Holness debuted their respective characters Dean Learner and Garth Marenghi at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2000, bringing the characters to television with Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (2004) and Man to Man with Dean Learner (2006). He appeared in the comedy shows The Mighty Boosh (2004–2007) and Nathan Barley (2005). After directing music videos for Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs, he wrote and directed the comedy-drama film Submarine (2010), an adaptation of the 2008 novel by Joe Dunthorne. He co-starred in the American science fiction comedy film The Watch (2012) and his second film, the black comedy The Double (2013), drew inspiration from Fyodor Dostoevsky's novella of the same title.
Ayoade has frequently appeared on panel shows, most prominently on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year and served as a team captain on Was It Something I Said? (2013). He presented the factual shows Gadget Man (2013–2015), its spin-off Travel Man (2015–2019), and the revival of The Crystal Maze (2017–2020). He has also voiced characters in a number of animated projects, including the films The Boxtrolls (2014), Early Man (2018), The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019), Soul (2020), and The Bad Guys (2022), as well as the series Strange Hill High (2013–2014), Apple & Onion (2018–2021), Krapopolis (2023–present), and Dream Productions (2024).
Ayoade has written three comedic film-focused books: Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey (2014), The Grip of Film (2017), and Ayoade on Top (2019), as well as the children's book The Book That No One Wanted to Read (2022),{{Cite web |title=Walker Books - The Book That No One Wanted to Read |url=https://www.walker.co.uk/The-Book-That-No-One-Wanted-to-Read-9781529500301.aspx |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=www.walker.co.uk}} illustrated by Tor Freeman.{{Cite web |title=Tor Freeman |url=https://torfreeman.com/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=torfreeman.com |language=en}}
Early life
File:ADC Theatre Cambridge.jpg, home of Footlights]]
Ayoade was born on 23 May 1977 in Hammersmith, London,{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/richardayoade/status/734796345177985024?lang=en|title=richard ayoade on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-10-12|language=en}} the son of a Norwegian mother and Nigerian father.{{cite news | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/moss-becomes-boss-1.569432 | title = Moss becomes boss | date = 11 March 2011 | newspaper = The Irish Times}}{{cite web|last1=Moloney|first1=Aisling|title=Who is Crystal Maze host Richard Ayoade? Highlights from The IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and more|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/06/23/who-is-crystal-maze-host-richard-ayoade-highlights-from-the-it-crowd-garth-marenghis-darkplace-and-more-6729457/|website=Metro|access-date=19 January 2018|date=23 June 2017}} The family moved to Ipswich when he was young.{{cite news | title = I really don't think I'm cool | author = Patrick Barkham | newspaper = The Guardian | date=1 October 2008 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/oct/02/comedy.television | access-date=19 October 2012}} At the age of 15, he developed an interest in film "beyond Star Wars and Back to the Future" and began exploring the works of directors Woody Allen, Ingmar Bergman, and Federico Fellini.{{cite web|last1=Gritten|first1=David|title=Richard Ayoade: Hidden depths of the bashful filmmaker|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8374530/Richard-Ayoade-Hidden-depths-of-the-bashful-filmmaker.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8374530/Richard-Ayoade-Hidden-depths-of-the-bashful-filmmaker.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=7 March 2018|date=10 March 2011}}{{cbignore}} He studied at the independent St Joseph's College in Ipswich,{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/could-former-ipswich-schoolboy-richard-ayoade-be-the-next-doctor-2316998|title = Could former Ipswich schoolboy Richard Ayoade be the next Doctor Who?|date = 31 January 2017}} where he recalls being "obsessed" with J. D. Salinger's book The Catcher in the Rye.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/14/richard-ayoade-i-am-even-more-humble-than-people-expect|title=Richard Ayoade: 'I'm even more humble than people expect'|last=Pelley|first=Rich|date=2019-09-14|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-09-24|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}} He was so obsessed with the book that he started to dress like its protagonist, Holden Caulfield.
From 1995 to 1998, Ayoade studied law at St Catharine's College, Cambridge, where he won the Martin Steele Prize for play production{{cite web | url = https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/reporter/1997-98/weekly/5747/23.html | title = Reporter 5/8/98: St Catharine's College | date = 5 August 1998 | publisher = Cambridge University Reporter}} and was president of the amateur theatrical club Footlights. His Footlights contemporaries included comedians David Mitchell and John Oliver.{{Cite web |title=John Oliver |url=https://alumni.christs.cam.ac.uk/john-oliver |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923052016/https://alumni.christs.cam.ac.uk/john-oliver |archive-date=23 September 2020 |access-date=22 August 2021 |website=Christ's College, Cambridge}}{{cite web | title=Cambridge Footlights Alumni, 1990–1999 |url=http://www.footlights.org/alumni-archive?name=1990-1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102122535/http://www.footlights.org/alumni-archive?name=1990-1999 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |access-date=6 August 2013 |work=Cambridge Footlights}}{{cite web |last=Freeman |first=Hadley |date=19 October 2012 |title=David Mitchell: Goodbye Lonely Nerd |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/oct/19/david-mitchell-victoria-coren-engagement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108004404/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/oct/19/david-mitchell-victoria-coren-engagement |archive-date=8 January 2014 |access-date=6 August 2013 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news|title=Alumni: 1997–1998 |url=http://footlights.org/alumni-archive?name=1990-1999 |access-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015035204/http://footlights.org/alumni-archive?name=1990-1999 |archive-date=15 October 2012 }} He and Footlights vice-president Oliver wrote and performed in several productions together, appearing in both Footlights' 1997 and 1998 touring shows: Emotional Baggage (directed by Matthew Holness) and Between a Rock and a Hard Place (directed by Cal McCrystal).{{cite web|last1=Bassett|first1=Kate|title=The Footlights lose their shine|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4714435/The-Footlights-lose-their-shine.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226165657/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4714435/The-Footlights-lose-their-shine.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 February 2016|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=19 January 2018|date=20 June 1998}} Ayoade says that his parents would not approve of studies considered to be of the "Regency era", adding that "a non-vocational degree seemed such an outlandish indulgence".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/submarine-is-director-richard-ayoades-coming-of-age/2011/06/07/AGvFYkNH_story.html|title=Submarine is director Richard Ayoade's coming of age|first=John|last=DeFore|date=10 June 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=4 January 2015}} He said that his degree in law was no longer a viable "fallback" for him and that he would need to "go back to square one".{{cite web|url=http://blog.thephoenix.com/BLOGS/outsidetheframe/archive/2011/06/17/interview-with-richard-ayoade-director-of-quot-submarine-quot.aspx|title=Interview with Richard Ayoade, director of Submarine|first=Peter|last=Keough|date=17 June 2011|work=The Phoenix|access-date=4 January 2015}}
Career
=2000–2006: Garth Marenghi shows and ''The Mighty Boosh'' =
Ayoade co-wrote the stage show Garth Marenghi's Fright Knight with Matthew Holness, whom he also met at the Footlights, appearing in the show with Holness at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000 where it was nominated for a Perrier Award.{{cite news|title=Richard Ayoade: Meet Mr Modest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/15/richard-ayoade-interview |author=Alexis Petridis |work=The Guardian |date=14 January 2011|access-date=4 January 2015}} The show saw the debut of Holness' character Garth Marenghi, a fictional horror writer, and Ayoade's character Dean Learner, Marenghi's publisher.{{cite web|title=Garth Marenghi uncovered|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1513438.stm|work=BBC News|access-date=19 January 2018|date=28 August 2001}} In 2001, he won the Perrier Comedy Award for co-writing and performing in Garth Marenghi's Netherhead, the sequel to Fright Knight.{{cite web|last1=Welikala|first1=Judith|title=Edinburgh Comedy Award winners: where are they now?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10257221/Edinburgh-Comedy-Award-winners-where-are-they-now.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/comedy-news/10257221/Edinburgh-Comedy-Award-winners-where-are-they-now.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=19 January 2018|date=21 August 2013}}{{cbignore}} In 2004, Ayoade and Holness took the Marenghi character to Channel 4, creating the spoof horror comedy series Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Ayoade wrote, directed and appeared in the series, which saw Marenghi and Learner star in a 1980s television drama that was never broadcast. Learner played Thornton Reed, a hospital administrator.{{cite web|last1=Adams|first1=Erik|title=Garth Marenghi's brief, hilarious reign of terror|url=https://www.avclub.com/garth-marenghi-s-brief-hilarious-reign-of-terror-1798241550|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=26 January 2018|date=28 October 2013}} Along with Matt Berry, Ayoade directed, co-wrote and co-starred in AD/BC: A Rock Opera, which parodies life-of-Christ rock operas and aired on BBC Three in December 2004.{{cite web|last1=Lougher|first1=Sharon|title=AD/BC A Rock Opera|url=http://metro.co.uk/2007/12/11/ad-bc-a-rock-opera-587471/|website=Metro|access-date=26 January 2018|date=11 December 2007}} Ayoade was also a writer on the sketch show Bruiser in 2000, which starred former Footlights president David Mitchell and Robert Webb, and featured Holness.{{cite web|last1=Murray|first1=Andy|title=5 actors who took a shot at directing|url=https://www.cineworld.co.uk/blog/suburbicon-george-clooney-iflr-andy-murray|publisher=Cineworld|access-date=9 March 2018|date=31 October 2017|archive-date=10 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310074331/https://www.cineworld.co.uk/blog/suburbicon-george-clooney-iflr-andy-murray|url-status=dead}} Ayoade was featured in a bit-part as a reporter in the HBO television film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004).{{cite web|title=The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b89c05176|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513004758/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b89c05176|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 May 2016|publisher=British Film Institute|access-date=26 January 2018}}
After appearing in Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding's radio series The Boosh, Ayoade was part of the original cast of Barratt and Fielding's The Mighty Boosh television show. He was originally selected to play the role of dangerous villain Dixon Bainbridge. However, by the time the radio series transferred to television he was under contract by Channel 4 and was only able to act in the pilot before leaving The Boosh. The part was taken by fellow Darkplace actor and eventual IT Crowd co-star Matt Berry. He later returned in the second series in 2005, to play the part of the belligerent shaman Saboo. Ayoade continued his association with The Mighty Boosh in the third series, reprising his role and acting as script editor.{{cite web|last1=Sciretta|first1=Peter|title=TIFF Movie Review: Richard Ayoade's Submarine|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/tiff-movie-review-richard-ayoades-submarine/|website=/Film|access-date=20 January 2018|date=13 September 2010}} In 2005, he played the role of Ned Smanks in Chris Morris' and Charlie Brooker's sitcom Nathan Barley.{{cite web|last1=Harrison|first1=Andrew|title=Totally Mexico! How the Nathan Barley nightmare came true|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/feb/10/nathan-barley-charlie-brooker-east-london-comedy|work=The Guardian|access-date=16 June 2016|date=10 February 2015}} Ayoade's Dean Learner character was resurrected in 2006 to host a comedy chat show, Man to Man with Dean Learner, on Channel 4. The different guests were played each week by Holness.{{cite web|last1=Dobbs|first1=Sarah|title=The cast of Garth Marenghi's Darkplace: 10 years on|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/garth-marenghis-darkplace/29964/the-cast-of-garth-marenghis-darkplace-10-years-on|website=Den of Geek|publisher=Dennis Publishing|access-date=26 January 2018|date=3 April 2014}} Ayoade appeared in the satirical comedy series Time Trumpet in 2006, which is set in the year 2031 and saw Ayoade and other celebrities reminiscing about the year 2007 onwards.{{cite web|author1=Guardian Authors|title=Pulling to Time Trumpet – TV's most underrated shows|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/jul/27/tvs-most-underrated-shows-pulling-top-gear-time-trumpet|website=The Guardian|date=27 July 2016}}
=2006–2010: ''The IT Crowd'', music videos, and ''Submarine'' =
In February 2006, Ayoade began playing technically brilliant, but socially awkward, IT technician Maurice Moss in the sitcom The IT Crowd on Channel 4, appearing with Chris O'Dowd, Katherine Parkinson, Chris Morris, and later on, Matt Berry. The series' creator Graham Linehan wrote the part specifically for Ayoade.{{cite web|last1=Framke|first1=Caroline|title=The IT Crowd: "Yesterday's Jam"/"Calamity Jen"|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-it-crowd-yesterday-s-jam-calamity-jen-1798176988|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=26 January 2018|date=3 June 2013}} In 2008, Ayoade won the award for an outstanding actor in a television comedy series at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival for his performance.{{cite web|last1=Whelan|first1=Natalie|title=UK actors win at Golden Nymph Awards|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/jun/13/television2|website=The Guardian|access-date=26 January 2018|date=13 June 2008}} In 2009, Ayoade co-starred with Joel McHale in the pilot for an American version of The IT Crowd, reprising his role with the same appearance and personality; however, no series was commissioned, and the pilot never aired.{{cite web|last1=Anders|first1=Charlie Jane|title=The Failed U.S. Remake Of The IT Crowd Is Fascinating To Watch|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-failed-u-s-remake-of-the-it-crowd-is-fascinating-t-1557311843|website=Gizmodo|access-date=26 January 2018|date=2 April 2014}} The original The IT Crowd ran for four seasons until 2010, with a special airing in 2013, for which Ayoade won a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance.{{cite news|first=Jess |last=Denham |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/tv-baftas-2014-winners-list-in-full-from-broadchurch-to-southcliffe-9392993.html |title=TV Baftas 2014: Winners' list in full from Broadchurch to Southcliffe |work=The Independent |date=18 May 2014 |access-date=22 June 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/i684851-9/bafta-television-awards-2014-bafta-television-awards-2014-richard-ayoade.html#~oPc7r1NZMDhSzS|website=Digital Spy|title=BAFTA Television awards 2014: Richard Ayoade with the BAFTA for Male Performance in a Comedy Programme|date=18 May 2014 |access-date=7 September 2014}}
In 2007, he directed the music videos for the songs "Fluorescent Adolescent" by Arctic Monkeys and Super Furry Animals's "Run-Away", which starred Matt Berry. The former received a UK Music Video Award nomination, attributed by Ayoade only to the song being "so good". Ayoade has frequently appeared as a panellist on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year, often with Noel Fielding, making his first appearance on The Big Fat Anniversary Quiz in 2007, which marked Channel 4's 25th anniversary.{{cite web|last1=Pearson|first1=Catherine|title=Richard Ayoade's 9 greatest TV moments|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/feature/a847134/richard-ayoade-greatest-moments/|website=Digital Spy|access-date=6 March 2018|date=10 January 2018}}
In 2008, Ayoade directed the music videos for two Vampire Weekend singles: "Oxford Comma", filmed in one long take, and "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa".{{cite web|last1=Morris|first1=John|title=Search Results Vampire Weekend Looking More True To Their Name In 'Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1591098/vampire-weekend-looking-more-true-to-their-name-in-cape-cod-kwassa-kwassa-video-by-john-norris/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608075350/http://www.mtv.com/news/1591098/vampire-weekend-looking-more-true-to-their-name-in-cape-cod-kwassa-kwassa-video-by-john-norris/|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 June 2016|publisher=MTV News|access-date=6 March 2018|date=17 July 2008}} That year he also directed videos for The Last Shadow Puppets songs "Standing Next to Me" and "My Mistakes Were Made for You", the latter of which was inspired by Federico Fellini's Toby Dammit.{{cite web|title=Periscope up: Richard Ayoade and Alex Turner unite their talents in hot new Brit flick Submarine|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/periscope-up-richard-ayoade-and-alex-turner-unite-their-talents-in-hot-new-brit-flick-submarine-2243847.html|website=The Independent|access-date=6 March 2018|date=20 March 2011}} He directed a live Arctic Monkeys DVD, At the Apollo (2008), recorded at the Manchester Apollo on super 16mm film. It was previewed at Vue cinemas across the UK in October 2008 and released on DVD the next month.{{cite web|title=Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/oct/12/arcticmonkeys-popandrock|website=The Guardian|access-date=6 March 2018|date=12 October 2008}} Ayoade was featured in Paul King's 2009 film Bunny and the Bull, playing an extremely boring museum tour guide.{{cite web | title = Made in Britain: Warp Films at 10; Bunny and the Bull | publisher =British Film Institute | url = https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=bunny-and-the-bull}} That year he also directed two music videos for the Arctic Monkeys, "Crying Lightning" and "Cornerstone", and videos for Kasabian's "Vlad the Impaler", starring Fielding, and "Heads Will Roll" by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.{{cite web|last1=Cochrane|first1=Greg|title=Kasabian ready 'psychedelic' LP|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/music/newsid_8057000/8057717.stm|website=Newsbeat|publisher=BBC News|access-date=6 March 2018|date=20 May 2009}}{{cite web|last1=Fullerton|first1=Jamie|title=Yeah Yeah Yeahs premiere Richard Ayoade-directed video online|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/yeah-yeah-yeahs-68-1317106|website=NME|access-date=6 March 2018|date=26 May 2009}}
In 2010, Ayoade made his debut directorial feature, Submarine, a coming-of-age comedy-drama he adapted from Joe Dunthorne's 2008 novel of the same name. The film stars newcomers Craig Roberts and Yasmin Paige with Sally Hawkins, Noah Taylor, and Paddy Considine. It follows Welsh teenager Oliver Tate (Roberts) as he becomes infatuated with a classmate (Paige) and the turmoil of his parents' failing relationship.{{cite web|last1=Scott|first1=A.O.|author-link1=A.O. Scott|title=Coming of Age, and Then to Terms|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/movies/submarine-with-craig-roberts-review.html|website=The New York Times|access-date=6 March 2018|date=2 June 2011}} Produced by Warp Films and Film4, it premiered at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival in September 2010, had a general release in the UK in March 2011, and was released in June in the US after being picked up by the Weinstein Company for North America.{{cite news |first=Brad |last=Frenette |title=Toronto International Film Fest announces 2010 lineup |work=National Post |date=27 July 2010 |url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/07/27/happening-now-toronto-international-film-fest-announces-2010-galas/ |access-date=19 October 2012}}{{cite news |author=Diana Lodderhose and Pamela McClintock |title=Weinsteins win 'Submarine' bidding war |work=Variety |date=15 September 2010 |url=https://variety.com/2010/biz/markets-festivals/weinsteins-win-submarine-bidding-war-1118024189/ |access-date=19 October 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209233657/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118024189 |archive-date=9 February 2012 |df=dmy-all }} Arctic Monkeys and The Last Shadow Puppets frontman Alex Turner contributed five original songs to the soundtrack, inspired by Simon & Garfunkel's music in The Graduate (1967). The film was positively received by critics, with The Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw calling Ayoade a "tremendous new voice in British film".{{cite web|last1=Bradshaw|first1=Peter|title=Submarine – review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/mar/17/submarine-review|website=The Guardian|access-date=6 March 2018|date=17 March 2011}} Ayoade was nominated for a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the 65th British Academy Film Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4BrzBxPM01G5pcCzgqCj5rQ/bafta-film-awards-2012-nominations|title=Bafta Film Awards 2012: Nominations|website=BBC Online|publisher=British Broadcasting Service|access-date=16 June 2016}}
=2011–present: Mainstream cinema, satirical writing, and television presenting =
In 2011, Ayoade directed the Community episode "Critical Film Studies" in the comedy show's second season. The episode pays homage to the 1981 film My Dinner with Andre and was named the "most brilliant half-hour of TV to arrive in this century" by Rolling Stone writer Rob Sheffield.{{cite magazine|last1=Sheffield|first1=Rob|title=Community's "Critical Film Studies": Celebrating Two Years of the 21st Century's Greatest TV Episode|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/communitys-critical-film-studies-celebrating-two-years-of-the-2aast-century-s-greatest-tv-episode-20130329|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=16 June 2016|date=29 March 2013}} Ayoade then directed a performance of comedian Tommy Tiernan's world stand-up tour, Crooked Man, which was released in November 2011.{{cite news | last = Sheridan | first = Colette | title = Far from Hollywood | url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/features/far-from-hollywood-172068.html | date = 28 October 2011 | access-date = 19 October 2012 | newspaper = Irish Examiner | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120606144210/http://www.irishexaminer.com/features/far-from-hollywood-172068.html | archive-date = 6 June 2012 | df = dmy-all }} Ayoade provided his voice to the main cast of Channel 4's ill-received animated sitcom Full English, which aired for just five episodes in 2012 before being cancelled.{{cite web|title=Channel 4 shelves final episode of Full English|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/1004/full_english_gypsy_episode_cancelled/|website=British Comedy Guide|access-date=6 March 2018|date=17 December 2012}} Ayoade starred opposite Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Jonah Hill in the science fiction comedy The Watch as a neighbourhood watch group that uncovers alien forces threatening the world. The film was not well received by critics, although Ayoade's performance was praised. Keith Phipps of The A.V. Club felt the film's "brightest spots" came courtesy of Ayoade, while Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune felt Ayoade was "the reason it's not entirely lame".{{cite web|last1=Phipps|first1=Keith|title=The Watch|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-watch-1798173602|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=6 March 2018|date=26 July 2012|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307150848/https://film.avclub.com/the-watch-1798173602|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Phillips|first1=Michael|title='The Watch': These guardians out of time, tune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/movies/chi-the-watch-movie-review-20120726-column.html|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=6 March 2018|date=26 July 2012}} Also in 2012, Ayoade began voicing Todd Lagoona, an anthropomorphic hammerhead shark who was a recurring character in Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy.{{cite web|title=Richard Ayoade joins Noel Fielding's show|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2011/07/04/13577/richard_ayoade_joins_noel_fieldings_show|publisher=Chortle|access-date=6 March 2018|date=4 July 2011}}
File:John Slattery (God’s Pocket) and Richard Ayoade (The Double) (12026171294) (Cropped).png]]
From 2013 to 2014, Ayoade voiced Templeton, the class nerd, in the CBBC animated series Strange Hill High.{{cite web|last1=Jeffery|first1=Morgan|title=Strange Hill High: The best kids' show on television|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/feature/a593193/strange-hill-high-the-best-kids-show-on-television/|website=Digital Spy|access-date=6 March 2018|date=28 August 2014}} He replaced Stephen Fry as presenter in the second series of Channel 4's Gadget Man in September 2013, and also presented a third and fourth season.{{cite web | url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a477837/richard-ayoade-replaces-stephen-fry-on-channel-4s-gadget-man.html | first = Alex | last = Fletcher | title = Richard Ayoade replaces Stephen Fry on Channel 4's 'Gadget Man' | access-date = 8 March 2018 | date = 1 May 2013 | work = Digital Spy}} The series featured Ayoade presenting a variety of innovative products and gadgets. He was also the host of the spin-off series Travel Man, where he spent 48 hours in a different location each episode with a celebrity guest.{{cite news|first=Ellen E. |last=Jones|title=Travel Man, Channel 4 – TV review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/travel-man-channel-4-tv-review-10144600.html |newspaper=The Independent |access-date=16 June 2016|date=30 March 2015}} He was a team captain on the Channel 4 panel show Was It Something I Said?, which began airing October 2013 and co-starred David Mitchell as host and Micky Flanagan as fellow team captain.{{cite news | title = David Mitchell recruits Richard Ayoade and Micky Flanagan for new series | url = https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2013/jun/06/david-mitchell-richard-ayoade-micky-flanagan | author = Media Monkey | access-date = 8 March 2018 | date =6 June 2013| work=The Guardian |location=London}} Also in 2013, Ayoade read Roald Dahl's children book The Twits for Penguin Audio's audiobook collection and Virgin Media launched an advertising campaign starring the Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt featuring the voice of Ayoade.{{cite web|url=http://bookriot.com/2013/09/05/listen-kate-winslet-richard-ayoade-famous-people-read-roald-dahl/|access-date=1 January 2015|title=Listen to Kate Winslet, Richard Ayoade and Other Famous People Read Roald Dahl|author=Rachel Smalter Hall|publisher=bookriot.com|date=5 September 2013}}{{cite web|last1=Macleod|first1=Duncan|title=Virgin Media Bolt vs Blot|url=http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2013/virgin-media-bolt-vs-blot/|website=The Inspiration Room|access-date=6 March 2018|date=9 July 2013|archive-date=7 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307082322/http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2013/virgin-media-bolt-vs-blot/|url-status=dead}} He provided the voice-over for Apple's iPhone 6 UK campaign with Chris O'Dowd in 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.tuaw.com/2014/10/13/uk-iphone-6-ad-features-chris-odowd-and-richard-ayoade-the-it/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015040426/http://www.tuaw.com/2014/10/13/uk-iphone-6-ad-features-chris-odowd-and-richard-ayoade-the-it/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 October 2014 |access-date=1 January 2015 |title=UK iPhone ad features Chris O' Dowd and Rchard Ayoade (The IT Crowd) |first=Michael |last=Bond |publisher=Engadget |date=13 October 2014 }} He also appears on Channel 4's 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, usually at least once per season.
Ayoade's second feature film, the black comedy thriller The Double, was based on Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 1846 novella The Double; it was written by Ayoade and Avi Korine{{cite web|last1=Kemp|first1=Stuart|title=Jesse Eisenberg, Mia Wasikowska Join 'The Double' Cast|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jesse-eisenberg-mia-wasikowska-the-double-286385|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=6 March 2018|date=1 February 2012}} and stars Jesse Eisenberg and Mia Wasikowska. It concerns a timid man who becomes frustrated by the appearance of his charming doppelgänger, both of whom are played by Eisenberg. It was released in April 2014 to generally positive reviews,{{cite web|title=The Double (2014) Reviews)|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-double-2013|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=6 March 2018}} drawing comparisons to Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985) in its visuals and narrative.{{cite web|last1=Chang|first1=Justin|title=Toronto Film Review: 'The Double'|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/the-double-review-toronto-1200606141/|website=Variety|access-date=6 March 2018|date=10 September 2013}} In the stop-motion animated fantasy film The Boxtrolls (2014), Ayoade voiced Mr. Pickles, a henchman to the film's antagonist Snatcher (voiced by Ben Kingsley).{{cite web|last1=Duralde|first1=Alonso|title='Boxtrolls' Venice Review: A Charmless Misfire from Laika Studios|url=https://www.thewrap.com/boxtrolls-review-laika-animation-ben-kingsley/|website=The Wrap|access-date=6 March 2018|date=31 August 2014}}
Ayoade's first book, Ayoade on Ayoade: A Cinematic Odyssey, was published by Faber and Faber in October 2014. It parodies Faber's Directors on Directors series, where critically celebrated filmmakers discuss their work, and sees Ayoade conduct several fictional interviews with himself where he discusses his work and enthusiasm for the world of cinema.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11205032/Richard-Ayoade-on-Ayoade-A-Cinematic-Odyssey-Review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/11205032/Richard-Ayoade-on-Ayoade-A-Cinematic-Odyssey-Review.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=1 January 2015|title=Ayoade on Ayoade by Richard Ayoade, review 'a 300-page in joke'|author=Anna Leszkiewicz|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=4 November 2014}}{{cbignore}} Ayoade voiced a villainous snowman in several episodes of the 2015 reboot of the animated series Danger Mouse.{{cite web|title=Richard Ayoade joins Danger Mouse|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/09/04/23171/richard_ayoade_joins_danger_mouse|publisher=Chortle|access-date=6 March 2018|date=4 September 2015}} In June 2016, he directed a short music video for the Radiohead song "Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief", as part of a series of video vignettes to promote their album A Moon Shaped Pool.{{cite web|last1=Gordon|first1=Jeremy|title=Watch Radiohead's New Short Video Directed by Richard Ayoade|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/66173-watch-radioheads-new-short-video-directed-by-richard-ayoade/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=7 March 2018|date=17 June 2016}}
Ayoade took over as host of the Channel 4 game show The Crystal Maze in 2017, following the success of a celebrity charity special revival hosted by Stephen Merchant.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a818911/the-crystal-maze-return-channel-4-richard-ayoade/|title=Crystal Maze returning to Channel 4 for a FULL SERIES|date=13 January 2017|publisher=Digital Spy|access-date=4 May 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Hutchinson|first1=Kate|title='Start the fans, please!' How The Crystal Maze made a comeback|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jun/21/how-the-crystal-maze-made-a-comeback|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 March 2018|date=21 June 2017}} His style of presenting has been described as being "a more cerebral and intense version" of his IT Crowd character, Maurice Moss.{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Frances |title=As host of The Crystal Maze, Richard Ayoade is actually even better than Richard O'Brien |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-07-07/as-host-of-the-crystal-maze-richard-ayoade-is-actually-even-better-than-richard-obrien/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=8 October 2019 |date=7 July 2017}} Ayoade made a cameo appearance in the comedy sequel Paddington 2 as a forensic investigator in 2017 and was amongst the voice cast for Vampire Weekend Ezra Koenig's animated series Neo Yokio in the same year.{{cite web|last1=Desta|first1=Yohana|title=Paddington 2 Review: An Inviting, Necessary Bit of Escapism|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/01/paddington-2-review|website=Vanity Fair|access-date=8 March 2018|date=9 January 2018}}{{cite web|last1=Shannon Miller|first1=Liz|title='Neo Yokio' Voice Cast: A Visual Guide to Who Played Whom in New Netflix Animated Series|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/09/neo-yokio-voice-cast-netflix-1201879584/|website=IndieWire|access-date=7 March 2018|date=23 September 2017}} His second book, The Grip Of Film, was published in October 2017. Written in the perspective of clueless film fanatic Gordy LaSure, in its canon is an A-Z of films and what makes them good with footnotes by Ayoade.{{cite web|title=Richard Ayoade writes a new cinema book|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2017/08/09/37398/richard_ayoade_writes_a_new_cinema_book|publisher=Chortle|access-date=7 March 2018|date=9 August 2017}} Beginning in late 2017, he has guest hosted a number of episodes of the panel show Have I Got News for You.{{cite web|title=Have I Got News For You|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/hignfy/episodes/54/2/|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=7 March 2018}} Ayoade starred in an advertisement for HSBC in 2018, which addressed other countries' cultural impact on the United Kingdom ahead of Brexit; appearing in four more in the following years{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Eliza|title=HSBC addresses Brexit in new ad|url=https://www.creativereview.co.uk/hsbc-addresses-brexit-new-ad/|website=Creative Review|access-date=7 March 2018|date=2 January 2018}} Ayoade voiced Treebor, a Stone Age caveman, in the Aardman Animations stop-motion comedy Early Man (2018).{{cite web|last1=Ritman|first1=Alex|title=Timothy Spall, Richard Ayoade Board Aardman's 'Early Man' as Teaser Trailer Debuts|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/timothy-spall-richard-ayoade-board-aardmans-early-man-as-teaser-trailer-debuts-986646|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=7 March 2018|date=16 March 2017}}
From 2018 to 2021, Ayoade has voiced Onion, one of the title characters in the Cartoon Network animated series Apple & Onion.{{cite web|last1=Thurm|first1=Eric|title=Cartoon Network's Apple & Onion isn't the freshest fruit, but it's still pretty tasty|url=https://www.avclub.com/cartoon-networks-apple-onion-isnt-the-freshest-fruit-1823192194|website=The A.V. Club|access-date=7 March 2018|date=23 February 2018}} He also returned to music video directing in 2018, helming the science fiction-inspired video for The Breeders song "Spacewoman".{{cite web |last1=Blais-Billie |first1=Braudie |title=Watch the Breeders' New Richard Ayoade-Directed "Spacewoman" Video |url=https://www.spin.com/2018/10/the-breeders-spacewoman-richard-ayoade-video/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=4 October 2018 |date=25 September 2018}} Ayoade was featured in a supporting role as a pompous artist in both parts of Joanna Hogg's two-part drama The Souvenir.{{cite web|last1=Ford|first1=Rebecca|title=Cannes: Robert Pattinson to Star in Two-Part Film 'The Souvenir'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-robert-pattinson-star-two-part-film-souvenir-1005746|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=7 March 2018|date=20 May 2017}} He lent his voice as a talking ice cream cone to the animated comedy sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)–which also featured Noel Fielding– and the English version of the Finnish series Moominvalley.{{cite web |title=See Noel Fielding and Richard Ayoade in the Lego Movie 2 |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2019/01/29/42170/see_noel_fielding_and_richard_ayoade_in_the_lego_movie_2 |publisher=Chortle |access-date=8 October 2019 |date=20 January 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Mesure |first1=Susie |title=Jennifer Saunders and Taron Egerton on bringing the Moomins back to TV |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/jennifer-saunders-taron-egerton-bringing-moomins-back-tv/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/jennifer-saunders-taron-egerton-bringing-moomins-back-tv/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=26 November 2019 |date=8 April 2019}}{{cbignore}} Ayoade provided voice work for the Star Wars Disney+ series The Mandalorian (2019) where he voiced the droid Zero in a recurring role. He also lent his voice for the animated adult fantasy sitcom Disenchantment (2021) on Netflix where he voiced the character Alva Gunderson.
Ayoade on Top, his third book published by Faber and Faber, is a tongue-in-cheek ode to the critically maligned romantic comedy View from the Top starring Gwyneth Paltrow.{{cite web|date=29 August 2019|title=Richard Ayoade on film-making, supporting Richard Gere and living with Ipswich inside him|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/live/2019/aug/29/richard-ayoade-webchat?page=with:block-5d67bec78f082209d3223c06#liveblog-navigation|access-date=8 October 2019|website=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|title=Ayoade On Top|url=https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571339136-ayoade-on-top.html|access-date=2019-11-28|website=Public Store View|language=en}} The Financial Times included Ayoade on Top in its collection of the best books of 2019 and Ayoade was ranked 33rd of the 50 best comedians of the 21st century in a 2019 list published by The Guardian.{{Cite news|last1=Davies|first1=Hannah J.|last2=Fleckney|first2=Paul|last3=Gibsone|first3=Harriet|last4=Logan|first4=Brian|last5=Heritage|first5=Stuart|date=2019-09-18|title=The 50 best comedians of the 21st century|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/sep/18/best-comedians-of-the-21st-century-comics-standup-comedy|access-date=2019-11-28|issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web|date=22 November 2019|title=Best books of 2019: Film|url=https://www.ft.com/content/ae6fe06e-0c09-11ea-b2d6-9bf4d1957a67|access-date=28 November 2019|website=Financial Times}}
In May 2020, it was announced that Ayoade would host the 2020 British Academy Television Awards,{{Cite news|date=2020-05-29|title=Richard Ayoade to host socially-distanced TV Baftas|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52839876|access-date=2020-05-29}}{{Cite web|title=BAFTA TV Awards To Be Held Virtually On July 31; Richard Ayoade To Host|url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/bafta-tv-awards-july-31-richard-ayoade-1202945288/|last=White|first=Peter|date=2020-05-28|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=2020-05-29}} which was held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=BAFTA Sets New July Dates for Postponed Television and Craft Awards|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/global/bafta-july-dates-television-craft-awards-1234618878/|last=Dams|first=Tim|date=2020-05-28|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2020-05-29}} He returned to host the 2021 and 2022 ceremonies.
In September 2023, Ayoade received backlash on social media after endorsing the memoir of television writer and anti-transgender activist Graham Linehan, with whom he had worked on The IT Crowd.{{Cite web| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/graham-linehan-book-richard-ayoade-jonathan-ross-b2411390.html|title=Richard Ayoade and Jonathan Ross endorse Graham Linehan memoir about being 'cancelled'|website=The Independent|first=Nicole|last=Vassell|date=15 September 2023|access-date=17 September 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/richard-ayoade-jonathan-ross-social-media-backlash-graham-linehan-1235546718/|title=Richard Ayoade And Jonathan Ross Receive Social Media Backlash Over Graham Linehan Book Reviews|website=Deadline|first= Jesse|last=Whittock|date=14 September 2023|access-date=17 September 2023}}
Ayoade's 2024 book, The Unfinished Harauld Hughes, was described by Sam Leith in The Guardian as "the narrative of the making of a documentary that never gets made, about a movie that also never got made. Its protagonist-narrator is Richard Ayoade, an alter ego of the author of the book, Richard Ayoade. He's in search of an alter ego of his own – or, at least, a doppelganger. ... Its comic tenor is part satirical and part pure whimsy, and it's very beguiling."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/oct/31/the-unfinished-harauld-hughes-by-richard-ayoade-review-comic-novel-or-conceptual-art-project|title=Review {{!}} The Unfinished Harauld Hughes by Richard Ayoade review – comic novel or conceptual art project?|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Sam|last=Leith|date=31 October 2024}}
In March 2025, he starred in LOL: Last One Laughing UK.
Influences
Ayoade is a fan of French New Wave cinema and said in an interview with The Guardian that Louis Malle's Zazie dans le Métro was the film that sparked his interest in filmmaking.{{cite web|last1=Holland|first1=Mina|title=The film that changed my life: Richard Ayoade|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jul/31/richard-ayoade-film-changed-life|website=The Guardian|access-date=7 March 2018|date=31 July 2011}} His favourite filmmakers include Malle, Woody Allen, Ingmar Bergman, Orson Welles, Jean-Luc Godard, Jean-Pierre Melville, and Paul Thomas Anderson.{{cite web|last1=Bowie-Sell|first1=Daisy|title=Richard Ayoade on Paul Thomas Anderson|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8682288/Richard-Ayoade-on-Paul-Thomas-Anderson.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8682288/Richard-Ayoade-on-Paul-Thomas-Anderson.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=7 March 2018|date=4 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}
Ayoade participated in the 2012 Sight & Sound directors' poll, where he listed his 10 favourite films: The Apartment, Badlands, Barry Lyndon, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Make Way for Tomorrow, Contempt, Ordet, Persona, Raging Bull, and Tokyo Story.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/sightandsoundpoll2012/voter/1142|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223014855/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people//sightandsoundpoll2012/voter/1142|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 February 2016|title=Richard Ayoade | BFI|website=Bfi.org.uk|access-date=31 July 2020}}
Personal life
In 2007, Ayoade married Lydia Fox, a member of the Fox family of actors.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/lawrence-fox-richard-ayoade-racism-row-question-time-meghan-markle-a9484406.html |title=Laurence Fox reveals brother-in-law Richard Ayoade's furious reaction to Question Time race row |work=The Independent |author=Annie Lord |date=2020-04-30 |access-date=2020-09-27}} They have two children{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/8-out-of-10-cats-does-countdown/on-demand/75647-001 |title=8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Series 27 Episode 5 | series=8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown |date=2025-01-31 |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=2025-02-01 |quote=Jimmy Carr (in his introduction of Richard Ayoade): A lot of people think Richard might be a virgin, but he's got three children, so we know on at least three separate occasions he's stolen a child. Richard Ayoade: Two. Two children. Amend the Wikipedia page.}} and live in the East Dulwich area of London.{{cite news |author=White |first=Adam |date=23 June 2017 |title=The Crystal Maze 2017: everything you need to know about host Richard Ayoade |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/crystal-maze-2017-everything-need-know-host-richard-ayoade/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111160159/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/crystal-maze-2017-everything-need-know-host-richard-ayoade/ |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=13 July 2017 |work=The Daily Telegraph |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=Richard Ayoade on his new film The Double|url=https://www.theresident.co.uk/news/21473945.richard-ayoade-new-film-double/|website=The Resident|first=Jemima|last=Boost|access-date=7 March 2018|date=26 March 2014}} Ayoade and his brother-in-law, actor Laurence Fox, engaged in a vocal public feud in 2020, when Fox asked Ayoade to announce his support for him on Twitter after a controversial appearance on Question Time. The episode in question was condemned for allowing Fox on as a guest, in particular for when he told a black woman in the audience that discussing racism was "boring". According to Fox, Ayoade told him that "You have never encountered racism." Fox stated that he had told Ayoade he had, because "he worked in Kenya once" and "racism can be deferential".{{Cite web|date=2020-04-27|title=Why 'half-educated' Laurence Fox is back after his Question Time fiasco|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/27/laurence-fox-question-time-fiasco-half-educated|access-date=2022-02-08|website=The Guardian|language=en}}
Filmography
| class="wikitable"
|+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} |Denotes works that have not yet been released |
=Film=
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2000
| Bruiser | {{n/a}} | Additional material writer |
| rowspan="2" | 2004
| Dean Learner / Thornton Reed | 6 episodes; also co-creator, writer, and director |
| AD/BC: A Rock Opera
| Joseph | Television special; also writer and director |
| 2004–2007
| Saboo | 5 episodes; also script editor and wrote episode: "The Chokes" |
| 2005
| Ned Smanks | 6 episodes |
| rowspan="3" | 2006
| Man to Man with Dean Learner | 6 episodes; also co-creator, writer, director, and executive producer |
| Time Trumpet
| Himself | 6 episodes |
| Snuff Box
| Music Show Host | 2 episodes |
| 2006–2010, 2013 | 25 episodes |
| 2007–present
| Himself (panelist) | 18 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| {{n/a}} | Directed episode: "Critical Film Studies" |
| Crooked Man
| {{n/a}} | Stand-up special; director |
| 2012
| Edgar | Voice, 6 episodes |
| 2012–2014
| Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy | Various characters | 6 episodes |
| 2013
| Himself (panelist) | 8 episodes |
| 2013–2014
| Templeton | Voice, 26 episodes |
| 2013–2015
| Himself (host) | 19 episodes |
| 2015
| Bernard | Episode: "The Bishop of Dibley" |
| 2015–2018
| The Snowman | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2015–2019
| Himself (host) | 39 episodes |
| 2016
| Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled | Himself | Episode: "A Penis Poking Through The Window" |
| 2017–2018
| Herbert Sims | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2017–2020
| Himself (host) |
| 2017–present
| Himself (guest host) | 11 episodesList of Have I Got News for You episodes{{cite web |title=Series 60, Episode 6 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000p45r |website=Have I Got News for You |publisher=BBC One |access-date=27 May 2021}} |
| 2018–2021
| Onion, additional voices |
| 2019
| The Ghost | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2019–2020
| Q9-0 | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2020
| 2020 British Academy Television Awards | Himself (host) | Television special |
| 2020–2021
| Himself (panellist) | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| Code 404 | B.R.I.A.N. | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2021 British Academy Television Awards
| Himself (host) | Television special |
| 2021–2022
| Himself (host) | 16 episodes |
| 2021–2023
| Gordy / Alva Gunderson | Voice, 10 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| 2022 British Academy Television Awards | Himself (host) | Television special |
| Birdgirl
| | Voice, 5 episodes |
| 2022–present
| Rugrats | Duffy | Voice, 6 episodes |
| rowspan="2" | 2023
|Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight | Kyle |
| Black Mirror
| His Own Actual Voice | Voice, episode: "Loch Henry" |
| 2023–present
| Tyrannis |
| rowspan="5"|2024
|Declan |Voice, 4 episodes |
| Transformers: Earthspark
| Fairmaestro |
| SpongeBob SquarePants
| Sammy Suckerfish | Voice, episode: "Sammy Suckerfish" |
| Hamster & Gretel
| Clem Clam | Voice, episode: "Hakuna Ma Kevin" |
| Dream Productions
| Kenny "Xeni" Dewberry |
| 2025
|Series 1 Contestant |
= Video games =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2026
| style="background:#FFFFCC;"| Fable {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} | Dave | |
=Music videos directed=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Artist ! Song |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2007 |
| Super Furry Animals
| "Run-Away" |
| rowspan="4" | 2008
| "Oxford Comma" |
| rowspan="2" | The Last Shadow Puppets |
| "My Mistakes Were Made for You" |
| Vampire Weekend |
| rowspan="4" | 2009
| Kasabian | "Vlad the Impaler" |
| rowspan="2" | Arctic Monkeys
| "Crying Lightning" |
| "Cornerstone" |
| Yeah Yeah Yeahs
| "Heads Will Roll" |
| 2016
|"Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief" |
| 2018
|"Spacewoman" |
| 2025
|"Big Ben Beat"{{Cite web |last=Monroe |first=Jazz |date=2025-02-20 |title=Kim Deal Shares Richard Ayoade–Directed Video for "Big Ben Beat" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kim-deal-shares-richard-ayoade-directed-video-for-big-ben-beat-watch/ |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Pitchfork}} |
Bibliography
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|1547964}}
- [https://www.theguardian.com/culture/richard-ayoade Richard Ayoade | Culture | The Guardian]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20161003120335/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bd02636fb Richard Ayoade] on the British Film Institute
- [https://www.dfi.dk/en/viden-om-film/filmdatabasen/person/richard-ayoade Richard Ayoade] on the Danish Film Institute
- [https://www.filminstitutet.se/contentassets/40761399204c411182aa9588a800bf4d/submarine4.pdf?_t_id=1B2M2Y8AsgTpgAmY7PhCfg%3d%3d&_t_q=Richard+ayoade&_t_tags=language%3aen%2csiteid%3a66cb8891-9750-414a-8d2d-8575f4a6d86c&_t_ip=129.12.100.185&_t_hit.id=Filminstitutet_Web_Models_Media_DocumentFile/_cee0981a-799d-4136-a7c9-58e9f52a632c&_t_hit.pos=3 Richard Ayoade] on the Swedish Film Institute
- [https://www.ft.com/stream/5646e387-a739-3c12-a72a-ecedecead337 Richard Ayoade] on the Financial Times
- [https://www.standard.co.uk/topic/richard-ayoade Richard Ayoade news and commentary] on the Evening Standard
{{Richard Ayoade}}
{{Robin Fox family tree}}
{{British Academy Television Award for Best Male Comedy Performance}}
{{Edinburgh Comedy Award winners}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayoade, Richard}}
Category:20th-century British screenwriters
Category:20th-century English comedians
Category:20th-century English male actors
Category:20th-century English male writers
Category:21st-century British screenwriters
Category:21st-century English comedians
Category:21st-century English male actors
Category:21st-century English male writers
Category:Actors from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Category:Alumni of St Catharine's College, Cambridge
Category:Best Male Comedy Performance BAFTA Award (television) winners
Category:Black British filmmakers
Category:Black British male comedians
Category:Black British comedians
Category:Black British male actors
Category:British film directors
Category:British male television writers
Category:British people of Norwegian descent
Category:British people of Yoruba descent
Category:Comedians from the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Category:English film directors
Category:English male film actors
Category:English male screenwriters
Category:English male television actors
Category:English male voice actors
Category:English music video directors
Category:English people of Norwegian descent
Category:Male actors from Ipswich
Category:People educated at St Joseph's College, Ipswich