Dave Johns
Born
David Alan Johns

(1956-07-15) 15 July 1956 (age 67)
Wallsend, England
Occupation(s)Comedian, actor, writer
Websitedavejohns.net

David Alan Johns (born 15 July 1956) is an English stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He is best known for his breakthrough role as Daniel Blake in the 2016 Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake.[1]

Career

Johns has appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks (four times), 8 Out of 10 Cats, Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive, 28 Acts in 28 Minutes and, as an actor, he has appeared on Mud, Time Gentlemen Please, Inspector George Gently, and Harry Hill as God.[2]

In 2009, he and Owen O'Neill dramatised Stephen King's Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption for the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.[3]

In 2016, he starred as the title character in the Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake in a critically acclaimed performance described as "powerful", "a welcome comic touch", and "all the more moving for its restraint".[4][5][6] He later wrote a stage version of the film updated to the 2021/2022 cost of living crisis which will be premiered at the Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne in May 2023.[7]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2016 I, Daniel Blake Daniel
2017 Howay! Terry Short film
Me, the Elephant Dad
2018 Walk Like a Panther Trevor 'Bulldog' Bolton
2019 The Keeper Roberts
2019 Fishermen's Friends Leadville Trebilcock
2020 23 Walks Dave
Blithe Spirit Harold
2022 Fisherman's Friends: One and All Leadville Trebilcock

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Mud Trev Episode #2.1
1997 Rag Nymph Man Episode #1.1
The Moth Man Uncredited
TV movie
1998 Harry Hill God Episodes #2.2, #2.7 & #2.8
Colour Blind Auctioneer Episode #1.2
TV Mini-series
2001 Time Gentlemen Please 'Cheesy' Alan Supple Episode: "New Year's Steve"
2006 Cattle Drive The Burglar Episode #1.1
Dogtown Norm
2010 Inspector George Gently Comedian Episode: "Gently Evil"
2013 It's Kevin Various Episode #1.6
2017 The Nightly Show Himself 1 episode

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Title Result Ref
2016 British Independent Film Awards Best Actor I, Daniel Blake Won [8]
Most Promising Newcomer Nominated
Dublin Film Critics Circle Awards Best Actor Won [9]
European Film Awards European Actor Nominated [10]
2017 Empire Awards Best Male Newcomer Won [11]
London Critics Circle Film Awards British/Irish Actor of the Year Nominated [12]

References

  1. ^ "Dave Johns". Davejohns.net. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Dave Johns". IMDb.
  3. ^ Whetstone, David (23 January 2012). "Interview: comedian Dave Johns". The Journal. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  4. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (12 May 2016). "Film Review: 'I, Daniel Blake'". Variety. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  5. ^ Collin, Robbie (20 October 2016). "Ken Loach's I, Daniel Blake is a quietly fearsome piece of drama". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  6. ^ Rooney, David (12 May 2016). "'I, Daniel Blake': Cannes Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  7. ^ Wiegand, Chris (17 November 2022). "I, Daniel Blake to be adapted for stage and updated for cost-of-living crisis". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Winners – Awards 2016 – BIFA – The British Independent Film Awards". Bifa.film. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Dublin Film Critics Circle names I, Daniel Blake best of 2016 – Screenwriter". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  10. ^ "European Film Awards 2016: Full List of Winners". Variety.com. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Three Empire Awards 2017: Rogue One, Tom Hiddleston And Patrick Stewart Win Big – News – Movies – Empire". Empireonline.com. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  12. ^ "London Film Critics' Circle 2017 award nominations: IN FULL – Films – Entertainment". Express.co.uk. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2017.

External links

British Independent Film Award for Best Actor
Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer
Authority control databases
Categories