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Biography
Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest (born February 5, 1948 in New York, USA), known as Christopher Guest, is an actor, writer, director, composer and musician.
He is best known for his portrayal of Nigel Tufnel in the mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap and his time as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live (1984-1985). Guest made his first appearance as Tufnel on the 1980 album Lenny and the Squigtones by "Lenny and Squiggy"' (comedians Michael McKean and David Lander).
He also appeared as Count Rugen in The Princess Bride and as Dr. Stone in the 1992 film A Few Good Men.
His directorial debut was for the film The Big Picture; he went on to write, act in and direct several heavily improvised mockumentaries:
Waiting for Guffman (1996) - as Corky St. Clair
Best in Show (2000) - as Harlan Pepper
A Mighty Wind (2003) - as Alan Barrows
He also had a cameo role in the 1986 remake of Little Shop of Horrors starring Rick Moranis
In April 2005, he announced he would no longer make mockumentaries, because he didn't find them funny anymore. However, it has since been confirmed that another mockumentary is planned. The film, For Your Consideration, has been confirmed by actors Michael McKean and Ricky Gervais. Guest will be playing the character of Jay Berman, along with his usual writing and directing duties.
In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.
Personal life
Guest was born in New York City, the son of English-born 4th Baron Haden-Guest, onetime CBS-executive, Jean Pauline Hindes , Jewish American.
Guest married Jamie Lee Curtis in 1984, at the home of their mutual friend Rob Reiner. They have two adopted children: Anne (born in 1986) and Thomas (born in 1996).
Guest became the 5th Baron Haden-Guest, of Saling in the County of Essex, when his father died in 1996. According to an article in The Guardian, Guest attended the House of Lords regularly until the passage of the House of Lords Act 1999 barred most hereditary peers from their seats. In the article Guest remarked:
There's no question that the old system was unfair. I mean, why should you be born to this? But now it's all just sheer cronyism. The Prime Minister can put in whoever he wants and bus them in to vote. The Upper House should be an elected body, it's that simple.
As Guest's children are adopted, they cannot inherit his Barony under the terms of the letters patent that created it. The current heir presumptive to the title is Guest's brother, Nicholas Haden-Guest.
