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Mel Smith

Mel Smith

Actor and director, also writer and producer · Died July 19, 2013, aged 60 · Chiswick, London, England, UK

Melvin Kenneth "Mel" Smith (December 3, 1952 – July 19, 2013) was an English comedian, writer, film director, producer, and actor. He is most famous for his work on the sketch comedy shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones. Description above from the Wikipedia article Mel Smith, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 3, 1952
Died
July 19, 2013 (aged 60)
From
Chiswick, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor and director, also writer and producer
Titles
21 on MovieCove · 59 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 7% in 30 days

What are Mel Smith's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
32%
Society
24%
Self
13%
Morality
11%
Survival
9%
Power
7%
Ideas
4%
Friendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeMemory2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 3 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 6 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 9

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Mentor
1 of 3
Ally
1 of 3
Hero
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
8
Tense
5
Absurd
5
Warm
3
Contemplative
3
Other
17

How their films linger

Feel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet6
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mel Smith's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 21 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mel Smith's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

59 credits, 21 with a MovieCove page; 14 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Dancing on the Edge(2013)

    Show 5 episodes · as Schlesinger

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • My Angel(2011)

    as Uncle Richard

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Rock & Chips (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as DI Thomas

  • Rock & Chips (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · as DI Thomas

  • The Riddle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Professor Cranshaw

  • Consenting Adults (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as David Maxwell Fyfe

  • The Secret Life of Brian(2007)

    as John Cleese on 'Not the Nine O'Clock News'

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Smith & Jones Sketchbook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · Creator · Actor

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as John Enderby

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Bottom Mindless Violence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Jumbo Whiffy (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • The Best of Not the Nine O'Clock News Volume Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Hustle(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Benny Frazier

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Celebrity Mastermind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Best of Not the Nine O'Clock News Volume One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Blackball(2003)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Bowls Commentator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • High Heels and Low Lifes(2001)

    Director · as Man at Train Station (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Too Much Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 6 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Bean(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Twelfth Night(1996)

    as Sir Toby Belch

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Milner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Stephen Milner

  • Radioland Murders(1994)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Smith & Jones - One Night Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Art Deco Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Porno Movie Director

  • Brain Donors(1992)

    as Rocco Melonchek

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Father Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Father Christmas (voice)

  • Dream On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Wolves of Willoughby Chase(1989)

    as Mr. Grimshaw

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Smith And Jones In Small Doses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

  • Wilt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Inspector Flint

  • The Tall Guy(1989)

    Director · as Drunk at Party

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Alas Sage & Onion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Various

  • Colin's Sandwich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 12 episodes · as Colin Watkins

  • Smith and Jones: The Home-Made Xmas Video (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Len

  • The Princess Bride(1987)

    as The Albino

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The World According to Smith & Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 12 episodes · Creator · as Mel

  • Filthy Rich & Catflap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Jumbo Whiffy

  • Finland For Adults (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Santa Claus

  • National Lampoon's European Vacation(1985)

    as Hotel Manager

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Restless Natives(1985)

    as Pyle

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Morons from Outer Space(1985)

    Writer · as Bernard

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Number One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Billy Evans

  • Alas Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 62 episodes · Creator · Writer · Actor

  • Slayground(1983)

    as Terry Abbatt

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Bullshot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Crouch

  • The Funny Side of Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Writer · as Hospital patient

  • The Young Ones(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Grenada Security Guard

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Kenny Everett Television Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Various

  • Muck and Brass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 6 episodes · as Tom Craig

  • The Snowman(1982)

    as Father Christmas - 20th Anniversary version

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Babylon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Alan

  • Bloody Kids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Disco Doorman

  • Dreams of Leaving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Xan

  • Minder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Cyril Ash

  • Not the Nine O'Clock News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 27 episodes · Writer · Actor

  • The Lord of the Rings(1978)

    as Character Actor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Kenny Everett Video Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Channel Four Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Creator · Actor

  • The Goodies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as TV Talk Show Host

  • Smith and Goody (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles, 56 of them dated from 1970 to 2013; peak year 1986.

Biggest box office

Bean (1997)

$251M worldwide

Highest rated

The Snowman (1982)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Dancing on the Edge (2013)

Film career

19702013

Peak 1986 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting52 of 57: 42 only acting, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thDirecting6 of 57: 3 only directing, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thWriting4 of 57: 0 only writing, 4 with another roleProducing2 of 57: 1 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew5 of 57: 1 only other crew, 4 with another role

57 titles, 10 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1970s6 · 6 acting · 2 crew1980s25 · 25 acting · 5 crew1990s9 · 6 acting · 3 crew2000s12 · 11 acting · 4 crew2010s4 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 36% of 11 roles
7888

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Mel Smith's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 17; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 21 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 21 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

My Angel (2011)

72nd percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Princess Bride (1987)

Midcredits 98th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Mel Smith's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Mel Smith work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mel Smith's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Rowan Atkinson shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles