Tony Hendra

Did you know?!

1. Early training

   Hendra was educated at St John's College, Cambridge, and in 1962 he belonged to the Cambridge University Footlights revue, alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman and Tim Brooke-Taylor.

2. Behind the camera

   In 1973, Hendra took on producing, directing and co-writing duties for the Lampoon's off-Broadway revue Lemmings, working alongside Sean Kelly. The cast he assembled included John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Rhonda Coullet, Christopher Guest and Alice Playten, all in their first starring roles.

3. A first

   Hendra was the first editor hired by National Lampoon founders Doug Kenney and Henry Beard, joining in 1971 after he began writing for the magazine in 1970.

4. A change of course

   Hendra relocated to America in 1964 alongside Nick Ullett, an actor and comedian. The pair performed as a comedy duo for five years, including six appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.

5. A role that slipped away

   In 1984, Hendra helped create, write and produce the British satirical television show Spitting Image. After the first six shows he was ousted from the production, and Rob Grant and Doug Naylor replaced him.

6. Languages

   Hendra helped conceive and write English dubs for three films by Belgian animator Picha, among them The Missing Link, The Big Bang and Snow White: The Sequel.