Craig Ferguson took the helm of The Late, Late Show on January 3, 2005, as the show’s host as well as one of its writers. Since then, the show has set all-time viewer records in three consecutive sweeps. In 2006, the show was nominated for an EmmyÒ for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Ferguson got his start in the entertainment industry as a drummer for some of the worst punk bands in the U.K., a profession he held for several years. Following his musical stint, he began bartending in a local pub in Glasgow where he was introduced to Michael Boyd, the artistic director of The Tron Theatre in Glasgow, who persuaded Ferguson to try acting. After several low paying acting gigs, Ferguson discovered he had a knack for comedy and was soon the star of his own BBC television show, The Ferguson Theory.

After several years on the English comedy circuit, Ferguson brought his act to America in 1995 to star with Betty White and Marie Osmond in the short-lived ABC comedy, Maybe This Time. After the show ended, ABC decided to add Ferguson to The Drew Carey Show, playing Drew Carey’s boss, Nigel Wick, from 1996-2003.

Ferguson has written the feature films The Big Tease and Saving Grace. In 2003, he wrote I’ll Be There, in which he also made his directorial debut and starred. I’ll Be There went on to receive the Audience Award for Best Film at the Aspen, Dallas, and Valencia film festivals. Ferguson was also named “best new director” at the Napa Valley Film Festival. Ferguson’s other film credits include, Niagra Motel, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Lenny the Wonder Dog, Prendimi l’anima, Life Without Dick, Chain of Fools, and Born Romantic. In the spring of 2006, Ferguson also became a published author with the release of his book, Between The Bridge and The River. -- www.statetheatrenj.org