Raised in part in the Phillipines and Sweden

Met Rowan Atkinson while attending Oxford University's Christ Church College; they shared a house for two years

Wrote for BBC-2's "Not the Nine O'Clock News", a sketch comedy show featuring Atkinson and Mel Smith

Co-wrote with Atkinson, "The Black Adder" (BBC-1); Atkinson also starred as the title character

Started British Comic Relief

Collaborated writer Ben Elton on "Blackadder II," starring Atkinson as a direct descendant of his character in the first series

Co-wrote with Elton, "Black Adder the Third," starring Atkinson as a butler to Hugh Laurie's Prince Regent

Penned "Black Adder's Christmas Carol" a biting retelling of the Dickens classic

Co-penned with Elton, "Blackadder Goes Forth," the last installment of the series starring Atkinson, Laurie and Stephen Fry

Feature screenwriting debut, the comedy "The Tall Guy", directed by Mel Smith

Wrote the successful ITV comedy "Mr Bean" (aired in the USA on HBO, 1992-1994; also aired on PBS)

Wrote the screenplay for the TV-movie "Bernard and the Genie," starring Alan Cumming and Lenny Henry

Co-executive produced and wrote the British comedy, "Four Weddings and a Funeral"; earned Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Screenplay

Created, executive produced, and wrote "The Vicar of Dibley" starring Dawn French as a female cleric in a small town

Wrote and produced "Bean," the film adaptation of the popular TV series

Penned the comedy "Notting Hill" starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts

Penned the adaptation of "Bridget Jones's Diary" from the Bet-selling novel by Helen Fielding

Directing debut, "Love Actually," starring Emma Thompson and Hugh Grant; also wrote screenplay; received Golden Globe nomination for Best Screenplay

Wrote "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," the sequal to the smash hit "Bridget Jones's Diary"

Wrote "The Girl in the Cafe," produced by the BBC and HBO as part of the Make Poverty History campaign's Live 8 efforts

Executive produced, "Mr. Bean's Holiday" reteaming him with Atkinson