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Alexander Martin Clunes (born 28 November 1961 in Wimbledon, South London) is an English actor. The son of the classical actor Alec Clunes, he is best known as Gary in the sitcom Men Behaving Badly which was broadcast from 1992 to 1998.
His first television appearance came a decade earlier in the Doctor Who story Snakedance as the spoiled Lon. He also got a role as one of the sons in the BBC sitcom No Place Like Home. He also appeared in the 1992 episode of the TV series Inspector Morse (called Happy Families).
Clunes is an established dramatic actor too, starring in films and television shows such as An Evening With Gary Lineker, Staggered, Hunting Venus, William and Mary, The Booze Cruise, Saving Grace, and Jeeves and Wooster. In 2002 he played serial killer John George Haigh in A Is for Acid, and four years earlier he starred as Richard Burbage in Shakespeare in Love. He also has the leading role in the ITV comedy drama series, Doc Martin, which is produced by the production company he runs with his wife.
When Angus Deayton was sacked as host of Have I Got News For You, Clunes was one of several people recruited to guest host the topical news quiz, having been an extremely successful panellist and stand-in captain in the past (he joked that, as he had been a contestant on the show so many times that there was now only one chair on the set that he had not sat in, before dropping a spotlight and dramatic music on Ian Hislop). Clunes won much acclaim for his role and was a popular choice for a permanent role before the decision was made for the programme to have a different guest presenter each week.
Clunes was frequently recruited by his friend and former Men Behaving Badly co-star Harry Enfield to play characters in his sketch shows, and he is also the voice of Kipper on the animated children's series Kipper the Dog. He is a keen camper-van driver.
Martin Clunes recently appeared in the ITV drama William and Mary, which ran into a second series. He played the leading role as William in this romantic comedy shown in 2004.
Clunes is twice married:
Clunes lives in Beaminster in Dorset.
During late-2006, Martin Clunes gained brand-new cult appeal among internet wrestling fans, of all people. Despite having never performed in or appeared in the professional wrestling industry in his life, he was one of the very first inductees into the TWC Fight! Forum 2007 Hall Of Fame, alongside actual wrestling legends such as Bret Hart & Shawn Michaels. Though the inclusion of Clunes to this prestigious Hall Of Fame was considered by some as a joke, his presence continues to be felt at the TWC Fight! Forum thanks to posts from various Martin Clunes supporters there.
20 January 2007 has been recognised by wrestling fans nationwide as the first Martin Clunes Appreciation Day. This came about as Clunes received his Hall Of Fame induction on this date.
