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James Smith

b. 1948

English actor well known for his part in the BBC's The Thick of It

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About James Smith

Born 1948. James Smith is a British actor, television actor and film actor.

James Smith is an English actor best known for his part as senior special adviser Glenn Cullen in the BBC political satirical comedy series The Thick of It.

Career Smith played senior special adviser Glenn Cullen all four series of the BBC's The Thick of It, from 2005 to 2012. He also featured as Michael Rodgers, Director of Diplomacy at the Foreign Office, in the film spin-off In the Loop.

In 2010 Smith played Clive in all 12 episodes of the BBC comedy Grandma's House, alongside his The Thick of It co-star Rebecca Front. Smith further collaborated with Simon Amstell when he played Graham Watkins in the 2017 mockumentary, Carnage.

He played a supporting role as Lord Carrington in the 2011 biopic about former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, The Iron Lady.

From 2014 to 2016 he appeared in all 13 episodes of Boomers as Trevor.

In 2018, he played the principal role of Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin in Yorgos Lanthimos's film The Favourite.

In 2025, Smith has the role of Lewis in the 2025 LGBT drama film directed by Joseph A. Adesunloye, Vanilla.

Politics and personal life In October 2012, Smith compered a rally organised by the Trades Union Congress against government cuts.

Smith has three children and nine grandchildren. He was in a relationship with a woman for 30 years until she died in 1998, and later began a new relationship in the early 2010s. Smith is an amateur bridge player and drummer.

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Important facts

Born
1948, England
Birth century
Nationality

People in James Smith's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped James Smith's

Frequently asked questions

Who is James Smith?

English actor well known for his part in the BBC's The Thick of It

When was James Smith born?

James Smith was born in 1948 in England.

What is James Smith's occupation?

James Smith is an actor, television actor and film actor.

What nationality is James Smith?

James Smith is British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: James Smith

· Wikidata: Q6143324

· DBpedia: James Smith (actor)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). James Smith. https://biography.guide/james-smith-actor/

MLA: "James Smith." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/james-smith-actor/.

Chicago: "James Smith." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/james-smith-actor/.

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