I was born in London in 1940 during the war.
My father Francis was a Rumanian Jewish composer and conductor of contemporary music, my mother was an Irish Teacher.
From the age of 4, when I was evacuated to Ireland for a year of misery because of the blitz, I wanted to be a comedian.
At the age of 6 was sent to a boarding school near Rugby. Ran away after two terms.
I did not study at St Marylebone Grammar school for five years, although I was occasionally present. Instead skived off to see cartoons twice a week.
The effects of which are still very strong in my comedy sketches and writing.
Went to LAMDA the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art at the ridiculously young age of 16 and was quite rightly politely asked to leave, although why they waited a year and a half is beyond me.
At age 17 ½ became straight-man to Comedian Vic Oliver and this is where my education really began. Toured England, South Africa and Ireland. Learnt that it's far better to be a comedian than a straight man.
At age 18½ worked at the Irving Strip Club Leicester Square for five sweaty totally un-erotic shows a day, as curtain puller and junior comic, which meant I nagged the comics until they'd let me go on stage when the boss wasn't looking.
One day he was looking and he asked me to leave, not so politely, quite right too, I was terrible.
Joined the Fol de Rols, the last great British seaside touring company as prop boy and playing small comedy parts.
In 1959 went to Paris to be a clown at the Medrano but it closed the week I got there so instead studied Pantomime with Jacques Lecoq for three years.
Returned to England with a partner and a wife and after a brief starvation starred in Chaganog, the first mime comedy show seen in England, which was the hit of the Edinburgh Festival in 1964. Chaganog toured the UK and eventually opened twice in the West End (A sort of a record) and ran for about six months.
Played the famous Mime Tennis Match in Antonioni's classic movie "Blow Up" which opened a lot of doors. Appeared as comedian in countless British TV Comedy Shows also acted in many Commercials including R Whites Lemonade which ran for a record 17 years and was recently voted the second most popular British TV Commercial ever!
Performed my One Man Mime and Comedy Show in London's West End at the Open Space and the Arts Theatre. Toured it for years and years all round UK, Ireland, Europe, USA, Australia and the Far East.
In 2000 was invited to perform in Japan, China and Korea. In 2005 performed in Singapore and Bangkok.
Produced, wrote, directed and starred in several short silent comedy films, two of which were nominated for Oscars and one won the first prize at the Berlin Film Festival.
Came to Israel in 1976 as my ex-wife was convinced that there was about to be a world war and Israel was the safe place to be. Have stayed here ever since. Am still asking myself why! The ex-wife very sensibly decided she was wrong about the world war and went back to the UK.
In 1986 won the Gold Rose of Montreux for TV Comedy for "The Orchestra" a 10 part Silent Comedy TV Series which I wrote directed and starred.
Became a household name in Israel with "Messibat Gan" a Kid's TV programme where I played a 5 year old boy.
Married for 22 years to Rolanda an actress and comedienne. We work a lot together, writing for TV and Stage and doing Comedy shows for all ages.
We live in Ein Hod, an artist's village, near the sea and opposite an Olive Grove. I write scripts, direct TV and stage plays and perform on stage, TV and Video Cassettes.
I also give Master Classes on Comedy around the world.
About Julian Chagrin on: IMDb, the Internet Movie Data Base.
About Julian Chagrin on: The Avengers Forever.
About Julian Chagrin at: The Oscar Site.
