Happy Birthday Funny Guys

A couple really funny guys were born on August 29th. Both American actor Elliott Gould and British comedic actor, writer Lenny Henry celebrate their birthdays today. Have a good one, guys!

Donald Sutherland and Elliott Gould in the movie 'M*A*S*H'
Photo from ElliottGould.com

Elliott Gould was born Elliott Goldstein, the son of Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York in 1938. He has appeared in many movies since his career started in the 1960's, including comedies and dramas. When I think of Gould, I remember him as Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre in the wonderfully humorous 1970 movie 'M*A*S*H'. I also remember his many recurring appearances in various TV sitcoms, like 'Friends', where he played Monica and Ross's dad, Jack Geller.

Caroline Lee-Johnson and Lenny Henry in 'Chef!'
Photo from LennyHenry.com

Britain's comedy genius Lenworth George Henry CBE, better known as Lenny Henry, was born in 1958. He's the son of Jamaican immigrants who moved to England from the West Indies years before the day of his birth. He started his career as a character actor in the 1970's. He appeared in and wrote for sketch comedy shows and did stand up performances early on. He met his wife Dawn French, another brilliant comedy actor, in the early 1980's. Henry has been involved in many successful projects, both funny and serious. He has also had some good fortune as a singer, but his preference is comedy actor. If you watch the Britcoms on public television, you've probably enjoyed watching him play the lead character Gareth Blackstock, in the hilarious show, 'Chef!'. Of course, Mrs. Blackstock was played by the super fine Caroline Lee-Johnson. I guess Lenny Henry might be considered kind of pretty as well by some, but he's definitely super funny!

'M*A*S*H' movie trailer - 1970

'Chef!' - Highlights of "England Expects" episode