Perhaps best known for directing the award-winning British TV series, "Yes, Minister" and "Yes, Prime Minister", Lynn honed his comedic skills as a member of the Cambridge Circus satirical revue in the mid-1960s. After acting on the New York and London stage as well as British TV, he branched out into directing in the early 70s, staging plays in the West End, for the RSC and on Broadway.

Lynn wrote the screenplay for "The Internecine Project" (1974) and made a short film, "Mick's People" (1982), before directing his first feature, "Clue" (1985). A disappointing comedy whodunit, "Clue" was more notable for its being released with three different endings than for its wit. Lynn's subsequent work has included the cross-dressing comedy "Nuns on the Run" (1990); the surprise fish-out-of-water hit "My Cousin Vinny" (1991); and "The Distinguished Gentleman" (1992), a less-than-distinguished Eddie Murphy vehicle.