Comedian, actor, writer and political activist, Edward John Izzard was born on 7 February 1962 in the Colony of Aden, the younger son of English parents Dorothy Ella and Harold John Michael Izzard. When Izzard was one, the family moved to Northern Ireland, settling in Bangor, County Down and living there until Izzard was five. The family then moved to Wales, where they lived in Skewen, West Glamorgan.
Eddie Izzard is renowned for her surrealist comedy. An accomplished actor, she has appeared in films such as Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, Valkyrie and Victoria & Abdul. She has also worked as a voice actor in films including The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Cars 2 and The Lego Batman Movie.
She has won numerous awards including a Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for her comedy special Dress to Kill, in 2000. Her website won the Yahoo People's Choice Award and earned the Webby Award.
Sge has campaigned for various causes. In 2009, she completed 43 marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief despite having no prior history of long distance running.
She has been a Labour party activist for most of her life. She twice attempted to be elected for a seat on Labour's National Executive Committee, and when Christine Shawcroft resigned in March 2018, she automatically took her place.
Swansea University presented an honorary degree to Eddie Izzard during the University’s 2019 summer degree ceremonies. Comedian Max Boyce, presenting the award, said: “As someone who knows only too well the precarious nature of comedy and the demands it makes, may I pay fulsome tribute to the comedic genius that is Eddie Izzard.”
On receiving her award, Eddie Izzard said: “Being a child who went to primary school in Swansea (at Oakleigh House school), it is a wonderful thing to receive an honorary doctorate from Swansea University. It is a pleasure to come back to one of the cities of my childhood. Thank you so much.”
