Matt Berry

Having worked with the likes of Reeves & Mortimer, the Mighty Boosh, and Steve Coogan, comedian Matt Berry followed in their footsteps by also pursuing a musical career, albeit one with less comedic intentions. Born in Bromham, Bedfordshire in 1974, Berry graduated with a degree in Contemporary Arts from Nottingham Trent University, where he regularly performed in several bands. Starting his career as a runner, he then became a presenter for a video game magazine show before concentrating on comedy, landing roles in cult show Garth Marenghi's Dark Place, The Mighty Boosh, and his most famous role, Douglas Reynholm in The I.T. Crowd. After writing and starring in his own comedy show, Snuff Box, he appeared in episodes of The Sarah Silverman Show, the promo video for Super Furry Animals' "Runaway," and fronted the spoof Save the Workers charity appeal for the Adult Swim animation brand. Berry continued to juggle his musical ambitions with his TV work, penning the musical theater parody, AD/BC: A Rock Opera, for Channel 4, composing music for Saxondale, The Peter Serafinowicz Show, and sketch show Blunder, and releasing his self-funded debut album, Opium, for free through his website in 2008. After appearing in the films Moon and The Devil's Chair, and hosting his own slot on Absolute Radio, he signed to Acid Jazz Records, where he recorded and played every instrument on his '70s prog-folk/rock-inspired sophomore album, Witchazel. Featuring vocals from Paul McCartney ("Rain Came Down"), it was released in 2011 on the back of a U.K. tour with his Brighton-based experimental backing band Jonas 3, and a collaboration with the Bluetones' frontman Mark Morriss under the guise of the Swedish Twins. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi