British actor, writer, and comedian Ben “Doc Brown” Smith will host the 2016 AMD British Academy Britannia Awards presented by Jaguar Land Rover and American Airlines. Joining him on stage will be superstars of stage and screen Tom Hanks, Brie Larson, Jake Gyllenhaal, Christopher Guest, and more, who will act as presenters throughout the evening.
For the second consecutive year the show will air on cable network Pop. Viewers in the U.S. can tune-in to the ceremony on Wednesday, November 2 at 8pm ET/PT.
The annual gala celebration will take place on Friday, October 28, 2016 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. As previously announced, Ang Lee will be honored with the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing presented by the GREAT Britain campaign, Samuel L. Jackson will be honored with the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment, Ricky Gervais will be honored with the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy, Ewan McGregor will be honored with the Britannia Humanitarian Award, Felicity Jones will be honored with the British Artist of the Year presented by Burberry, and Jodie Foster will be honoured with the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film presented by the Arya Group. World-renowned television and event production company Done + Dusted will produce the ceremony.
The British Academy Britannia Awards is BAFTA’s big night out in Hollywood, where Brits and anglophiles alike come together in celebration of exceptional individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the art forms of the moving image in the US, UK and beyond. Known to be an enjoyable evening that captures a unique blend of sincerity and British irreverence, the evening also serves to celebrate the long-standing collaboration between the British and American industries. The Britannia Awards are BAFTA Los Angeles’ highest accolades, recognizing both outstanding British talent, and exceptional international talent by virtue of their strong connection to the British industry through their body of work. Proceeds from the event support BAFTA Los Angeles’ on-going education, scholarship, community outreach and archival projects.
Ben Bailey Smith is an actor and writer, his alter ego Doc Brown is a stand-up comedian, a rapper and a writer. Doc Brown initially made his name as a rapper, touring with DJ/producer Mark Ronson 2006-2007. He’s been performing stand-up comedy since 2008. He will also be hosting the British Academy Children’s Awards in London next month; the news was revealed earlier today as part of BAFTA’s nominations announcement for the Awards.
Since 2009 Doc has performed stand-up at the Edinburgh Fringe and around the globe, including Australia and Canada’s Just For Laughs Festival, as well as touring the UK several times, most recently with his sellout tour The Weird Way Round in 2014/15.
In 2013 Doc starred in the YouTube sensation Equality Street, which he co-wrote and performed alongside Ricky Gervais, for Comic Relief. He regularly stars in the televised Comic Relief show and was one of the few comedians performing live on Red Nose Day last year.
Ben Bailey Smith recently starred as Dom Johnson in the acclaimed Ricky Gervais feature film Life On The Road.
His other recent acting appearances include: the starring role in hit itv series Law and Order, C4’s The Inbetweeners and Derek, BBC’s Hunted, Rev, Miranda, as well as ITV’s Midsomer Murders and Brief Encounters.
Doc has performed on BBC’s Russell Howard’s Good News, The John Bishop Show and Live At The Apollo and he also starred in and wrote for the cult CBBC show Strange Hill High with Richard Ayoade. He also created and co-wrote the BAFTA winning Four O’Clock Club on CBBC. Recently he also appeared in the C4 Roald Dahl’s Most Marvellous Book.
In January this year Ben’s children’s book I Am Bear was published by Walker Books,
The 2015 ceremony took place in October at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Harrison Ford received the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment, Orlando Bloom received the Britannia Humanitarian Award presented by the Beazley Group, Meryl Streep received the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film, Sam Mendes received the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing presented by the GREAT Britain campaign, James Corden received the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year presented by Burberry and Amy Schumer received the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy presented by Kodak.
The British Academy Britannia Awards is produced through a partnership between BAFTA Los Angeles and Done & Dusted. Event Production and Management is by MTA Events.
For further information:
Elyse Weissman at SLATE PR
T (310) 461-0114
