James Corden

James Kimberley Corden, born 22 August 1978, is an English actor, comedian, writer, producer, singer, and television host. In the United Kingdom, he gained widespread recognition for co-writing and starring in the BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. Internationally, he is widely known for hosting the CBS late-night talk show The Late Late Show with James Corden from 2015 to 2023.

Corden was born in Hillingdon, Greater London, to Margaret, a social worker, and Malcolm Corden, a Royal Air Force musician who later became a salesman of Christian books and Bibles. Raised in Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire, alongside his two sisters, he attended Park Middle School and Holmer Green Upper School.

Corden made his stage debut at age 18 in the 1996 musical Martin Guerre. His early television work included roles on Boyz Unlimited, Teachers, Hollyoaks, and the series Fat Friends, where he portrayed Jamie Rymer from 2000 to 2005. Beginning in 2004, he played Timms in Alan Bennett's play The History Boys, performing in its West End, Broadway, international, and 2006 film versions. His early feature film credits also included All or Nothing, Heartlands, and Starter for 10.

From 2007 to 2010, Corden co-created, co-wrote, and co-starred as Smithy in Gavin & Stacey alongside Ruth Jones. For his performance, he won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Comedy Performance. He subsequently presented the Sky One panel show A League of Their Own from 2010 to 2019. In 2010, he featured on the UK number-one single "Shout" with Dizzee Rascal, and in 2011, he created his signature Carpool Karaoke sketch for a Comic Relief segment.

In 2011, Corden starred in the lead role of the National Theatre comedy production One Man, Two Guvnors. Following transfers to the West End and Broadway, his performance earned him the 2012 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. He went on to co-create, write, and star in the comedy-thriller series The Wrong Mans in 2013, and portrayed the Baker in the 2014 musical film Into the Woods.

Corden assumed the hosting role of The Late Late Show in 2015, introducing popular comedic segments such as Carpool Karaoke, which won multiple Emmy Awards and spawned a streaming spin-off series. Throughout his hosting career, Corden presented major ceremonies, including the Brit Awards, the Tony Awards, and the Grammy Awards. His other film roles include voice work in Peter Rabbit and its 2021 sequel, as well as appearances in Gulliver's Travels, Trolls, Cats, The Prom, and Cinderella.

Over his career, Corden has won 12 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 29 nominations and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2015 for services to drama. In 2024, Corden returned to the stage to star as Alec in Joe Penhall's political drama The Constituent.