Chris Barrie

Chris Barrie is a British actor, comedian, and presenter whose versatility spans vocal impressions, iconic sitcom performances, and engineering advocacy. He first gained national recognition as a principal voice artist on Spitting Image, bringing characters including Prince Charles and Ronald Reagan to life, before becoming best known for two defining television roles: the neurotic hologram Arnold Rimmer across 13 series of Red Dwarf and the well-meaning yet disastrous Gordon Brittas in The Brittas Empire. His work extends from Blackadder III and both Tomb Raider films to presenting National Geographic's Britain's Greatest Machines, a contribution that earned him an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from Loughborough University in 2010. At corporate events, award ceremonies, and after-dinner occasions, Chris delivers observational comedy, playful impressions, and adaptable material that transforms formal gatherings into genuinely engaging experiences, leaving audiences entertained and uplifted by his professionalism and infectious love of performance.

When Chris Barrie stepped onto the stage of Jasper Carrott's 1983 Election Night Special, his uncanny vocal impressions caught the attention of the Spitting Image team and launched a career that would span more than four decades across television, film, and live performance. From those early days as a Comedy Store performer through to his status as one of Britain's most recognisable comic actors, he has built a reputation for versatility, precision, and an ability to make audiences laugh whilst never losing sight of the craft behind the comedy. His journey from impressionist to sitcom star, from voice artist to engineering enthusiast, and now to ambassador for community wellbeing, reflects a performer who has continually evolved whilst staying true to the warmth and wit that first won over audiences in the 1980s.

Chris's credentials rest on a foundation of genuinely iconic roles. As Arnold Rimmer, the neurotic hologram in Red Dwarf, he became part of a cult phenomenon that has endured across 13 series, culminating in the 2020 feature-length special The Promised Land and continuing into 2026 with his narration of the audiobook Red Dwarf: Titan. As Gordon Brittas, the well-meaning yet disastrous leisure centre manager in seven series of The Brittas Empire, he created a character that remains a touchstone of British sitcom. His early work as a principal voice artist on Spitting Image, where he brought characters including Prince Charles, Ronald Reagan, and Paul Daniels to life, established his technical skill and comic timing. Beyond television, he has appeared in Blackadder III, starred in ITV's White Goods alongside Lenny Henry and Ian McShane, and played Hilary the butler in both Tomb Raider films. His passion for engineering led to presenting roles on Discovery Channel's Massive Engines series and National Geographic's Britain's Greatest Machines, work that earned him an Honorary Doctorate of Technology from Loughborough University in 2010 for his contribution to promoting engineering and technology. More recently, his commitment to community wellbeing has seen him become an ambassador for Nature's Haven in Maidenhead, where he champions the role horticulture plays in fostering purpose, hope, and belonging.

In live settings, Chris transforms corporate events, award ceremonies, and after-dinner occasions into genuinely memorable experiences. His approach combines the comic intelligence honed over decades in television with an ability to read a room and adapt his material to suit the moment. Whether delivering observational comedy, playful impressions, or his trademark take on workplace scenarios, including the infamous question of what audiences might do if faced by a tiger rampaging through the office, he keeps energy levels high and engagement consistent. Audiences leave not just entertained but genuinely uplifted, having spent time with a performer whose professionalism, generosity of spirit, and sheer love of making people laugh remain as evident today as they were at the start of his career.