13 Facts About Mel Smith

Melvyn Kenneth Smith was an English comedian, actor and director.

Mel Smith's father, Kenneth, was born in Tow Law, County Durham, and worked at a coal mine during the Second World War; looking after the pit ponies.

Mel Smith was educated at Hogarth Primary School, Chiswick, and at Latymer Upper School, a private school in Hammersmith.

Whilst at Oxford University, Mel Smith produced The Tempest, and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe with the Oxford University Dramatic Society.

Mel Smith was associate director of Sheffield's Crucible Theatre for two years.

Mel Smith co-wrote and took the lead role in the space comedy Morons from Outer Space, but the film failed to make much impact.

In 1987, Mel Smith recorded a single with Kim Wilde for Comic Relief: a cover of the Christmas song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" with some additional comedy lines written by Mel Smith and Jones.

The play initially caused some controversy, with Mel Smith proposing to flout the Scottish ban on smoking in public places, but the scene was quickly adapted after gaining the required amount of publicity.

Mel Smith then directed a West End revival of Charley's Aunt starring Stephen Tompkinson.

Mel Smith was hospitalised in 1999 with stomach ulcers, following an accidental overdose of over 50 Nurofen Plus tablets in one day, after previously admitting an addiction to sleeping pills.

Mel Smith said at the time that the pressures of film work were a contributing factor, along with a desperate need to ease the pain caused by gout.

On 31 December 2008, Mel Smith appeared on Celebrity Mastermind whilst suffering from severe pharyngitis.

Mel Smith was confirmed dead by the ambulance crew, with a later post-mortem confirming death from a heart attack.