Brett Goldstein is a British actor, comedian, writer, and producer born July 17, 1980, in Sutton, London, who gained international recognition for his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Roy Kent in Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso.” Beginning his stand-up comedy career in 2006, Goldstein shifted into television writing and acting, appearing in various British productions before joining “Ted Lasso” as both writer and cast member in 2020. His recent projects include co-creating “Shrinking” and joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Hercules, with additional achievements spanning multiple entertainment mediums.
A versatile entertainer who has achieved recognition across multiple entertainment mediums, Brett Goldstein emerged as a prominent figure in contemporary comedy through his multifaceted career as an actor, writer, comedian, and producer. Born on July 17, 1980, in Sutton, a London suburb, Goldstein pursued his education at Sevenoaks School before earning a Film Studies degree from the University of Warwick, subsequently studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Coming from a British Jewish family, Goldstein’s cultural background has influenced his perspective and comedic sensibilities throughout his career.
Goldstein’s unconventional background includes briefly working at a strip club in Marbella, Spain, owned by his father, an experience that would later inform his comedic material. His stand-up career began in 2006 with his debut show “Brett Goldstein Grew Up in a Strip Club,” drawing from personal and family experiences to create confessional storytelling blended with observational humor.
Drawing from his unconventional family business background, Goldstein transformed personal experiences into compelling comedic material that launched his entertainment career.
He created and performed four solo stand-up shows, touring throughout the UK and overseas, including performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with specials including “Contains Scenes of an Adult Nature,” “Burning Man,” and “What Is Love Baby Don’t Hurt Me.”
His shift into film and television began with roles in Channel 4 comedies “Drifters” and “Derek,” followed by writing and starring in the superhero romantic comedy “SuperBob” in 2015. He also appeared in the Emmy-winning series Hoff The Record, showcasing his versatility across different comedy formats. Goldstein’s performance in “Adult Life Skills” earned him the British Independent Film Awards‘ Best Supporting Actor honor in 2016, establishing his dramatic capabilities alongside his comedic talents.
The breakthrough role that elevated Goldstein to international recognition came through Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso” in 2020, where he initially joined as a writer before being cast as Roy Kent after submitting a self-taped audition. His portrayal of the tough, stoic character with exceptional comedic delivery earned him Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the first two seasons, along with a Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy Series.
Beyond acting, Goldstein has demonstrated significant creative leadership through projects including co-creating the AMC anthology series “Soulmates” in 2020 and the Apple TV+ series “Shrinking” in 2023. Since 2018, he has hosted the popular podcast “Films to Be Buried With,” featuring guests discussing impactful films in their lives, contributing to his reputation as an industry thought leader.
Recent developments include signing a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television and joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Hercules in “Thor: Love and Thunder,” appearing in the film’s mid-credits scene with expectations for future Marvel projects, cementing his position as a versatile entertainment industry professional.
