James Corden has been tapped to take over the reins of the CBS late night series The Late Late Show following the departure of Craig Ferguson in December 2014. The 36 year old entertainer will take on hosting duties beginning in 2015, however the network hasn’t announced where the show will tape.
“James Corden is a rare entertainment force who combines irresistible charm, warmth and originality with a diverse range of creative instincts and performance talent,” stated Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment. “He is the ultimate multi-hyphenate – a writer, creator and performer who is loved and respected in every medium he touches, including theater, comedy, music, film and television. James is already a big star in the UK and he’s wowed American audiences on Broadway; we’re very excited to introduce his considerable and very unique talents to our network television audience on a daily basis.”
“I can’t describe how thrilled and honoured I am to be taking over from the brilliant Craig Ferguson,” said Corden. “To be asked to host such a prestigious show on America’s #1 network is hugely exciting. I can’t wait to get started, and will do my very best to make a show America will enjoy.”
James Cordon’s TV and Film Credits [Courtesy of CBS]
Currently, Corden is starring opposite Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo in Begin Again, which is in theaters now, and will star opposite Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and Emily Blunt in the highly anticipated feature film Into the Woods, which hits theaters in December. Additionally, Corden hosts the BAFTA Award-winning UK sports-themed comedy game show A League of Their Own on Sky 1 and stars in, produces and writes the BAFTA nominated comedy thriller The Wrong Mans, which is available on Hulu and airs on the BBC.
Outside of his native England, James Corden attracted international attention as the lead in the hit comedic play One Man, Two Guvnors, performing first in the National Theatre and the West End in London and then on Broadway, which earned him the 2012 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play. His additional theater credits include the worldwide tour of The History Boys in the role of Timms, which he also played in the feature film adaptation.
On television, Corden starred as Smithy in the critically acclaimed BBC comedy series Gavin and Stacey, which he co-created and co-wrote. For his role, he earned the BAFTA Television Award for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2008 and the British Comedy Award for Best Male Comedy Performer in 2007. The series received the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy in 2008 as well as the National Television Award for Most Popular Comedy Programme in 2010. Prior to that, Corden starred in the British television series Fat Friends from 2000 to 2005, which earned him a nomination for the 2000 Royal Television Society Award for Network Newcomer On Screen. He also had a recurring role in the popular BBC science fiction series Doctor Who as Craig Owens, the Doctor’s roommate. In addition, Corden hosted the Brit Awards, the biggest event in the British music industry, from 2010 to 2014.
Over the course of his career, Corden has been awarded the Royal Television Society Award for Comedy Writer of the Year for his work on The Wrong Mans, the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for Comedy Writer of the Year, the South Bank Show Award for Comedy, the Tric Award for Best Comedy and the National Television Award in 2010 for Best Comedy.
-By Rebecca Murray
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