Nigel Planer: Biography, Age, Net Worth, Movies, TV Shows & Tour 2026

Nigel Planer built a career on the laughing gas of alternative comedy. His portrayal of the perpetually stoned hippie Neil in The Young Ones made him a household name in 1980s Britain. But the Westminster-born actor, writer, and musician has spent decades proving there is far more to his repertoire than a tie-dyed shirt and a mellow drawl. From the West End stage to cult films and a surprising run on the pop charts, Planer’s working life defies easy categorisation.

He emerged from the same comedy clubs that produced Rik Mayall and Alexei Sayle. Yet Planer also wrote novels, stepped into Broadway-style musicals, and even earned an honorary doctorate. The available records show a performer who continually shifted gears, always staying a step ahead of being typecast. Some details of his life remain private, but what is known paints a portrait of restless creative energy.

What are Nigel Planer’s Most Famous Movies and TV Shows?

• Nigel Planer is a British performer who rose to fame playing the archetypal slacker Neil in the BBC sitcom The Young Ones between 1982 and 1984.
• He has an international top-ten music hit with the single “Hole in My Shoe”, released under his character name.
• His television career spans decades, including roles in Filthy, Rich and Catflap, narration duties on Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids, and appearances in Episodes.
• On film, sources confirm his appearance in Terry Gilliam’s dystopian classic Brazil (1985).
• He has been a stalwart of British theatre, with major West End productions in his credit list.
• Associations with franchises such as Harry Potter and Game of Thrones are mentioned online but are not supported by the available evidence.

Planer’s breakthrough came as part of the alternative comedy movement. He was a founding member of The Comedy Store and The Comic Strip, troupes that reshaped British humour. The Young Ones turned him into a cult figure. The character Neil was so iconic that Planer eventually released a single in character. The show’s anarchic style defined a generation of television comedy.

After The Young Ones, he played the scheming Ralph Filthy in the sitcom Filthy, Rich and Catflap, a show that reunited him with co-stars from the earlier hit. He also provided the distinctive narration for the children’s horror anthology Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids, a role that introduced him to a younger audience. Later television work included a guest run on the Hollywood satire Episodes.

The Harry Potter and Game of Thrones question

Online searches frequently link Nigel Planer to the Harry Potter film series and the television phenomenon Game of Thrones. However, the available evidence does not confirm a role in either franchise. Wikipedia, IMDb, and Rotten Tomatoes list no Harry Potter credits for Planer. Similarly, no Game of Thrones appearance is documented in the sources reviewed. These associations may stem from confusion or unsubstantiated rumour.

Film and voice work

Beyond Brazil, the available records do not provide a complete filmography for Nigel Planer. IMDb offers a starting point for further research, but the search results are not exhaustive. What is clear is that Planer worked across film, television, and voiceover throughout the 1990s and 2000s, maintaining a steady presence in British entertainment.

How Old is Nigel Planer and What is His Net Worth?

Nigel Planer was born on 22 February 1953 in Westminster, London. That makes him 73 years old in 2026. His age is well documented across multiple authoritative sources, including Wikipedia and IMDb. He was educated at Westminster School, attended the University of Sussex briefly, and then trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) before launching his career.

Net worth remains undisclosed

None of the provided research results give a reliable net worth figure for Nigel Planer. Various websites may offer estimates, but those numbers are speculative and not confirmed by the actor or his representatives. The available evidence simply does not contain a verifiable net worth. Attempts to find this information through credible sources such as Wikipedia, IMDb, or United Agents came up empty.

Marital history

Planer has been married three times. He is currently married to Roberta Green. Previous marriages were to Anna Lea and Frankie Park. He is a father to at least one child from his second marriage, and one source describes him as father of two. His family life, however, is not a major focus of the available biographical material.

What Book Has Nigel Planer Written?

Nigel Planer is also a published author. His bibliography includes several novels and works of non-fiction. Titles identified in the research include The Right Man, Faking It, A Good Enough Dad, Therapy and How to Avoid It, and I, An Actor. That last book, I, An Actor, reportedly inspired the BBC television and radio project The Naked Actor.

His official website promotes Young Once, a book described as a memoir and love story. The site does not provide a specific release date for this title within the reviewed material. The research notes indicate a 2025 poetry book, though details remain sparse. What is clear is that writing has been a parallel strand of Planer’s career, not a late-life afterthought.

Is Nigel Planer Going on Tour in 2026?

The provided research results do not mention any 2026 book tour or performance tour for Nigel Planer. His official website, nigelplaner.co.uk, is the primary source for announcements about live appearances and new releases. At the time of the research, no tour dates for 2026 were documented. Anyone interested in potential future events should monitor his official site or social media channels for updates.

Planer’s creative output shows no sign of slowing. Between writing, occasional acting work, and public appearances, he remains an active figure. But a structured tour for 2026 is not something the available evidence supports.

Key Career Events in Nigel Planer’s Life

1. 1953: Born in Westminster, London.
2. 1970s: Educated at Westminster School, attends University of Sussex, trains at LAMDA.
3. 1982–1984: The Young Ones airs on BBC, making Planer famous as Neil.
4. 1984: Wins a BRIT Award as part of the alternative comedy scene.
5. 1985: Appears in Terry Gilliam’s film Brazil.
6. 1987: Stars in the sitcom Filthy, Rich and Catflap.
7. 1980s: Releases the single “Hole in My Shoe”, an international top-ten hit.
8. 2011: Receives an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Edinburgh Napier University.
9. 2013: Nominated for an Olivier Award for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
10. 2020s: Publishes books including Young Once, described as a memoir and love story.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Nigel Planer

What Does Nigel Planer’s Career Tell Us About British Comedy?

Nigel Planer’s trajectory mirrors the rise of alternative comedy in Britain. He came up through The Comedy Store and The Comic Strip, institutions that broke away from traditional punchline-driven routines. The Young Ones was the televised expression of that movement, and Planer’s Neil became its enduring symbol. But unlike some peers who stayed in comedy lanes, Planer moved into theatre, novels, and music.

His pivot to writing suggests an appetite for creative longevity beyond acting. The questions about Harry Potter and Game of Thrones indicate that Planer’s name still circulates in pop culture conversations, even when concrete evidence is thin. He remains a reference point for a particular era of British television humour, while continuing to produce new work.

What Do the Sources Say About Nigel Planer?

“Nigel Planer is a British actor, writer and musician.”

— Wikipedia entry for Nigel Planer

“Nigel is an actor who has appeared in many Television, Film and Theatre productions.”

— Nigel Planer’s official website

“Nigel Planer was born in London and educated at the prestigious Westminster School.”

— IMDb biography

Summary: What You Should Know About Nigel Planer

Nigel Planer is a versatile British performer born on 22 February 1953. He is best known for playing Neil in The Young Ones, but his career includes substantial work in theatre, film, television, music, and writing. His net worth is not publicly available, and his involvement in Harry Potter or Game of Thrones is not confirmed by the evidence. He has written several books and remains active. For those interested in related figures from British entertainment, the Una Stubbs – Life, Career, and Legacy article offers a parallel story, as does the profile on Mark Steel – Age, Children, Partner, Books and Tour Dates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nigel Planer