Brett Goldstein
Birth date1980 (age 46–47)
Birth placeLondon, England
Alma materUniversity of Warwick
OccupationActor · comedian · podcaster · producer · writer
Years active2005–present
Known forRoy Kent in Ted Lasso

Brett Goldstein (born 1980) is an English actor, comedian, podcaster, producer, and writer. Known for his role as Roy Kent in the Apple TV+ sports comedy-drama series Ted Lasso (2020–present), he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for each of the first two seasons. He is also the co-creator of the comedy-drama series Shrinking (2023–present).

Early life and education

Goldstein was born in 1980 in the London suburb of Sutton, to a British Jewish family.[1]

He was educated at Sevenoaks School.[2] After secondary school he attended the University of Warwick, where he graduated with a degree in film studies.[1]

Soon afterwards, he briefly relocated to Marbella, Spain, to work at a strip club which his father purchased during a "midlife crisis".[1] He then moved to New York City to study acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, until 2003.[3] While there, he began writing scripts that he later took to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.[4] He turned his Marbella experience into a stand-up comedy routine, Brett Goldstein Grew Up in a Strip Club (2011).[5]

Career

Goldstein began acting in short films and had his first feature film role in the self-written thriller Wish You Were Here (2005), which was remade as Slave (2009).[5] In 2009, he made his television debut in two episodes of ITV's long-running police drama The Bill.[4][6] From 2012 to 2016, he appeared in several comedy series, such as BBC One's Uncle, E4's Drifters and Channel 4's Derek.[7] He also played American TV legend David Hasselhoff's personal trainer, Danny, in Dave's mockumentary series Hoff the Record (2015–2016).[8]

In 2013, Goldstein wrote and played the leading role of a Peckham postman-turned-superhero in the low-budget romantic comedy SuperBob (2015).[9][10][11] At the end of filming, comedian Catherine Tate, who starred in the film as his character's boss at the Ministry of Defence, invited him to co-write and guest star in the BBC One sitcom Catherine Tate's Nan (2014–2015), a spin-off of The Catherine Tate Show about her popular sweary old-lady character Joanie Taylor.[12] The two continued to collaborate, with Goldstein joining Tate on her first ever live tour in 2016 and co-writing the feature film The Nan Movie (2022) and a 2021 Comic Relief sketch starring Daniel Craig as James Bond.[13][14]

In 2016, he won the BIFA for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Brendan in the comedy film Adult Life Skills, starring Jodie Whittaker as the lead character. In 2018, Goldstein and Whittaker appeared together in the Doctor Who episode "The Tsuranga Conundrum".[15] Later that year, in July 2018, he began his career as a podcaster with Films to Be Buried With,[16] a comedy podcast featuring guests talking about films that have been important in their lives. Goldstein has also written and performed four solo stand-up shows.[5][17]

TV producer Bill Lawrence hired Goldstein as a writer for the 2020 Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso, starring Jason Sudeikis. His writing on the show led to his being cast as the character of aging footballer Roy Kent.[18] Rolling Stone's Emily Zemler stated that Goldstein "felt such a kinship with this stoic tough guy, in fact, that he emailed a self-taped audition of five scenes to the production team. In the email, he told the team, "If this is awkward, or this is shit, pretend you never got this email, and I promise I will never ask you about it."[19] The tapes, which included the 'If I don't hear silence I'm gonna start punching dicks' scene from the pilot, ended up scoring him the role. The rest is history."[20] He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series two consecutive years (2021 and 2022), for his work on the show.[21][22][23]

Together with Black Mirror writer Will Bridges, Goldstein created and wrote the six-part science fiction anthology series Soulmates for AMC, based on their short film For Life (2013).[24][25] The series premiered in October 2020 and starred Sarah Snook, Malin Akerman, Betsy Brandt, and Charlie Heaton.[26][27][28] In 2022, he signed a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.[29] Later that year, Goldstein appeared as Hercules in the mid-credits scene of Thor: Love and Thunder.

Acting and writing credits

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
2005The RopeManShort film
Wish You Were HereYoung Robert DunsmoreAlso writer
2009SlaveAlso writer
SuperBobBobShort film
2012The ComedianComedy MC
The KnotAlbert
2013Everyone's Going to DieRichard (voice)
TattooedDaveShort film
For LifeSimonShort film; also writer
2014The Hooligan FactoryMr. Burrows
2015LegacyMr. Harrowgate
HowlDavid
SuperBobBobAlso writer
2016Adult Life SkillsBrendan
Bullet to the HeartSteveShort film; also co-writer
2018Spectre of ShameJames BondShort film; also writer and producer
F*ckAdamShort film
Wild Honey Pie!Matt
2022The Nan MovieCo-writer
Thor: Love and ThunderHerculesCameo; mid-credits scene
2024The Garfield MovieRoland (voice)[30][31]
All of YouSimonAlso co-writer and co-producer[32]
2026At the SeaKeegan
The Sheep DetectivesReggie / Ronnie (voice)
Office RomanceDaniel BlanchflowerPost-production; Also writer[33]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009The BillJared Miles2 episodes
2011White Van ManEpisode: "Ollie's First Day"; writer of additional material
2012–2014DerekTom11 episodes
2012Ronna & Beverly6 episodes; writer of additional material
4FunniesEpisode: "Gittins"; writer
2013–2016DriftersScott7 episodes; also writer of additional material
2013Common GroundLawrenceEpisode: "Fergus & Crispin"
Love MattersJasonEpisode: "30 & Counting"
Claudia O'Doherty: Comedy BlapsSimonEpisode: "What Is Time?"
Live at the ElectricIT TechnicianEpisode #2.2
2014–2017UncleCasper9 episodes
2014Playhouse PresentsPhotojournalistEpisode: "The Dog Thrower"
CuckooPolicemanEpisode: "Tribunal"
2015–2016Hoff the RecordDanny JonesMain cast; also writer of additional material
2014–2015Catherine Tate's NanJonathanEpisode: "Nanger Management"; also co-writer of three episodes
2015UndercoverChristophe4 episodes
2016–2017Drunk HistoryRobert Dudley, James Garfield2 episodes
2017The PactAndyTelevision film
2018Doctor WhoAstosEpisode: "The Tsuranga Conundrum"
2019This Way Up6 episodes; script editor
2020–presentTed LassoRoy KentMain cast; also writer and executive producer
2020SoulmatesCo-creator, writer and executive producer
2021Robot ChickenTony Stark (voice)Episode: "May Cause Light Cannibalism"
2022A Beginner's Guide to GriefGrief Expert (voice)
2023–presentShrinkingLouisAlso co-creator, writer and executive producer
2023Harley QuinnHimself (voice)Episode: "A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special"
2024Fraggle Rock: Back to the RockPryce Fraggle (voice)2 episodes
2025Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your LifeHimselfStand-up special
Love, Death & RobotsToilet (voice)Episode: "Smart Appliances, Stupid Owners"[31]

Theatre

YearTitleRoleVenue
2016The Catherine Tate Show LiveVariousUK tour

Radio and podcast

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2018ProposalActorBBC Radio 2 pilot[34]
2018–presentFilms to Be Buried With with Brett GoldsteinHimself (host)Podcast; 300 episodes[16]
2019Obsessed With… Line of DutyHimself (co-host)BBC Sounds podcast; 7 episodes with Lolly Adefope[35]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2015FilmQuest AwardsBest ActorSuperBob[36]
Best Screenplay (shared with Will Bridges and Jon Drever)
2016British Independent Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorAdult Life Skills[37]
2021Gold Derby AwardsComedy Supporting ActorTed Lasso[38]
Hollywood Critics Association TV AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy[39]
International Online Cinema AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (shared with cast)[40]
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Writers Guild of America AwardsTelevision: Comedy Series (shared with other writers)[41]
Television: New Series (shared with other writers)
2022
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (shared with cast)
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series[23]
National Film AwardsBest Screenplay (shared with Catherine Tate)The Nan Movie[42]
2023Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesTed Lasso[43]
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series[44]
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (shared with cast)

References

  1. ^ Frick, Evelyn (11 June 2021). "18 Things to Know About Brett Goldstein". www.heyalma.com. Alma Magazine. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Sevenoaks School News - Old Sennockians (OS) community service during Covid-19". sevenoaksschool.org. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  3. ^ "Notable Former Students 1980's - Current Brett Goldstein Specialized training 2003". aada.edu. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Hire Brett Goldstein For an Appearance at Events or Keynote Speaker Bookings.". www.celebritytalent.net. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  5. ^ "2011 Edinburgh Fringe: Brett Goldstein Grew Up in a Strip Club". British Comedy Guide. 2011.
  6. ^ Bennett, Steve. "'The Foreign Office have got plans for a superhero...' : Features 2015 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (2022-07-05). "'Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein Signs With WME". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  8. ^ "Mortality and Muppets: A guide to the comedic work of Brett Goldstein". The A.V. Club. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
  9. ^ Kemp, Stuart (2013-07-12). "Former 'Doctor Who' Star Catherine Tate Cast in Superhero Comedy 'Superbob'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  10. ^ Dessau, Bruce (27 November 2014). "I believe it can fly: comedian Brett Goldstein on his new film SuperBob". Evening Standard. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  11. ^ "SuperBob review – a mild-mannered British film with amiable powers". the Guardian. 2015-10-18. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  12. ^ Bennett, Steve. "'The Foreign Office have got plans for a superhero...' : Features 2015 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  13. ^ Maxwell, Dominic. "Comedy: Catherine Tate at the Eventim Apollo, W6". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  14. ^ Grobar, Matt (2022-06-14). "Screen Media Acquires Catherine Tate Comedy 'The Nan Movie' Co-Written By 'Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  15. ^ Fullerton, Huw (7 October 2013). "Doctor Who casts Mark Addy, Chris Noth and Julie Hesmondhalgh in mysterious new roles". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
  16. ^ "Films To Be Buried With with Brett Goldstein". play.acast.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Comedy review: Brett Goldstein: What Is Love Baby Don't Hurt Me, Pleasance Courtyard". www.scotsman.com. 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  18. ^ Pavlica, Carissa (11 August 2020). "Ted Lasso: Juno Temple, Brett Goldstein & Phil Dunster Provide Character Insight & More!". TV Fanatic. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Emmy Nominee Brett Goldstein on Being Cast in Ted Lasso, Roy Kent CGI Rumor & His Love of Cursing (Jimmy Kimmel Live)". YouTube. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
  20. ^ Zemler, Emily (2021-08-20). "How Brett Goldstein Became the Breakout Star of 'Ted Lasso'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2022-01-25.
  21. ^ Bloom, Nate (14 September 2021). "The Most Complete Guide to Jewish Emmy Nominees, 2021 — Detroit Jewish News". The Detroit Jewish News. Archived 17 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Brett Goldstein Gives Expletive-Filled Emmys Acceptance Speech: 'I Was Told I'm Not Allowed to Swear'". www.people.com. People Magazine. 19 September 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Ted Lasso actor wins and swears again at Emmys". the Guardian. 2022-09-13. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  24. ^ Zakarin, Jordan (27 October 2020). "Brett Goldstein of 'Ted Lasso' and 'Soulmates' Wants to Talk About Love". Observer. Archived 27 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  25. ^ Potts, Kimberly (2 October 2020). "How Ted Lasso's Brett Goldstein Found the Softer Side of Roy Kent". Vulture. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  26. ^ Petski, Denise (16 May 2019). "AMC Greenlights Soulmate Anthology Drama Series From Will Bridges & Brett Goldstein". Deadline. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  27. ^ Keller, Joel (5 October 2020). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Soulmates' On AMC, An Anthology About People Matched Up By A Biological Test". Decider. Archived 22 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  28. ^ Wicklow, Ashleen. "Malin Akerman, Charlie Heaton, Betsy Brandt and JJ Feild Join the Cast of AMC's Upcoming Soulmates". AMC. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  29. ^ Maas, Jennifer (January 31, 2022). "'Ted Lasso' Star Brett Goldstein Signs Overall Deal With Warner Bros. TV". Variety
  30. ^ Galuppo, Mia (2022-11-07). "Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang Join 'Garfield' Animated Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  31. ^ "Brett Goldstein (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved May 19, 2025. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  32. ^ Rowan, Iona (2024-07-23). "First look at Ted Lasso star Brett Goldstein in new movie". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  33. ^ "You, too, can be in the Jennifer Lopez-Brett Goldstein rom-com filming in N.J.". nj.com. March 28, 2025. Retrieved 28 March 2025.
  34. ^ "BBC Radio 2 - Radio 2's Comedy Showcase, 2018, Proposal". BBC. Retrieved 2022-09-20.
  35. ^ Bennett, Steve. "Lolly Adefope and Brett Goldstein to host Line Of Duty podcast : News 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  36. ^ "2015 FilmQuest – FilmQuest". Retrieved 2022-07-29.
  37. ^ "Olivier Winners 2013". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  38. ^ "SAG Awards: 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' 'Minari' Top Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  39. ^ Davis, Clayton (7 March 2021). "Critics Choice Awards 2021 Full Winners: Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland' Continues Its Reign on Awards Season". Variety. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  40. ^ "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  41. ^ Hipes, Patrick (13 July 2021). "Emmy Nominations: 'The Crown', 'The Mandalorian' Top List; HBO/HBO Max Edges Netflix For Top Spot – Full List Of Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
  42. ^ "Winners of the 8th annual National Film Awards 2022 announced". 5 July 2022.
  43. ^ "75th Primetime Emmy Awards". Emmy Awards. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  44. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®". Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.