Ben Miller Biography: Bennet Evan Miller born February 24, 1966 is an English comedian, actor, and author. He gained fame as part of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller and is also known for his roles as Angus Jeremy Bough in the Johnny English film series, DI Richard Poole in the BBC crime drama Death in Paradise, and James Lester in the ITV sci-fi series Primeval.
Ben Miller Biography
Halfway through his PhD in physics at Cambridge University, Ben met Alexander Armstrong (also a student there) in 1992. Instead of completing his PhD, Ben chose to leave science behind and pursue comedy, joining the Footlights Comedy Club at Cambridge. After four years of performing in pubs and underground comedy clubs, the duo appeared on Saturday Night in one of their most famous sketches, portraying the Euro-Rock duo “Strijka.” In 1996, Ben and Alexander were nominated for the Perrier Award and received their first commissioned series, Armstrong and Miller (1997). Initially broadcast on the Paramount Channel, the show later ran for three more series on Channel Four (1997, 1999, and 2001). In November 2001, Ben and Alexander took The Armstrong and Miller Show on tour, performing a 17-day back-to-back stint. The success of Armstrong and Miller (1997) gave Ben a platform to explore other projects.
Bennet Miller was born in London on February 24, 1966, to Welsh mother Marion and English father Michael Miller. He grew up in Nantwich, Cheshire. His father taught American literature at the City of Birmingham Polytechnic, and his maternal grandfather was a Lithuanian immigrant. His paternal grandfather worked as a tailor in the East End of London, while his great-grandmother taught English at South Cheshire College. He has two younger sisters and is also a distant cousin of Abraham Lincoln.
Miller attended Malbank School and Sixth Form College in Nantwich before studying Natural Sciences at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge. During his time at Cambridge, he participated in theatre with his then-girlfriend, actress Rachel Weisz. After completing his undergraduate degree, he stayed at Cambridge to pursue a PhD in solid-state physics, with a proposed thesis titled Novel quantum effects in low-temperature quasi-zero-dimensional mesoscopic electron systems.
Ben Miller at a Glance
Category: Richest Celebrities › Richest Comedians
Net Worth: $5 Million
Birthdate: February 24, 1966 (59 years old)
Birthplace: London
Gender: Male
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.75 m)
Profession: Actor, Comedian, Television Producer, Screenwriter, Film Director
Nationality: United Kingdom
Career Overview
Ben Miller (born 1966) is a British actor, comedian, and director with a career spanning three decades, excelling in various fields of entertainment. Initially pursuing quantum physics at Cambridge University, Miller switched careers after meeting Alexander Armstrong at the Footlights drama club. The duo’s sketch comedy show became one of British television’s most beloved partnerships during the late 1990s and 2000s. Miller later proved his versatility as a dramatic actor, most notably portraying DI Richard Poole in Death in Paradise and Lord Featherington in Bridgerton. His scientific background has also influenced his work as an author and science communicator.
Academic & Early Career
Miller grew up in Nantwich, Cheshire, and showed early talent in both the arts and sciences. He began a PhD in quantum physics at Cambridge, focusing on novel semiconductors. However, as his success with the Footlights drama club grew, he chose to abandon his doctorate and pursue comedy full-time.
Armstrong & Miller Years
Miller’s comedy partnership with Alexander Armstrong gained major traction on Channel 4 (1997–2001) and later on BBC One (2007–2010). The duo became known for memorable characters, such as RAF pilots speaking in modern youth slang. This success established Miller as a major comedic talent, leading to appearances on multiple panel shows and comedy roles.
Television Drama
Miller’s transition to drama began with supporting roles in series like Primeval and Moving Wallpaper. His breakthrough came with the lead role of DI Richard Poole in Death in Paradise (2011–2013), where he portrayed a British detective in the Caribbean. Despite leaving the show, Miller made several return appearances. His portrayal of Lord Featherington in Bridgerton (2020) introduced him to a new, global audience via Netflix.
Writing & Science Communication
Miller has leveraged his scientific background to write several successful books that combine humor and science. His works include It’s Not Rocket Science and children’s novels like The Night I Met Father Christmas. He also regularly presents science documentaries, making complex ideas accessible to a general audience.
Current Work & Legacy
Miller continues to juggle dramatic roles, comedy appearances, and writing. His ability to transition seamlessly from sketch comedy to leading dramatic roles while also maintaining a successful career in science communication has solidified his reputation as a versatile and respected figure across multiple entertainment genres.
What is Ben Miller’s Net Worth?
Ben Miller is a British comedian, actor, and director with a net worth of $5 million. He is widely recognized for his role as one half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller alongside Alexander Armstrong.
