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James Acaster

Early Life and Education

James Acaster is an English comedian, born on January 9, 1985, in Kettering, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom. He attended Montagu Secondary School in his hometown before enrolling at Northampton College, where he studied music. His early passion for music significantly influenced the beginning stages of his career.

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Musical Background

Before venturing into comedy, Acaster pursued a path in music and played drums in several local bands in Northamptonshire. Some of these bands included Pindrop, Three Line Whip, The New Hardcore Skiffle Movement, The Capri-Sun Quartet, and The Wow! Scenario. During his time with the Capri-Sun Quartet, Acaster performed under the pseudonym William Strawberry.

In 2007, Acaster recorded an album with The Wow! Scenario titled Stand in the Star: A Verse and a Chorus. Although the album remained unreleased for several years, Acaster and the band regrouped in 2017 to complete the project. The finished album was ultimately released on Bandcamp in 2018.

Transition to Comedy

James Acaster shifted his focus from music to comedy in 2009, making his debut performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His unique and offbeat comedic style quickly garnered attention. In the following years, he toured with well-known comedians Josie Long and Milton Jones in 2010 and 2011, further establishing his presence on the UK comedy circuit.

Television and Critical Acclaim

Acaster has appeared on several prominent comedy panel shows, including the long-running BBC program Mock the Week. His growing popularity led to a Netflix comedy series titled Repertoire, released in 2018. The series is composed of four one-hour stand-up specials filmed at various points in Acaster’s career, showcasing the evolution of his material and unique approach to storytelling.


Quick Facts
Birth Date: 9 Jan, 1985
Age: 35 yrs
Citizenship: United Kingdom
Birth Place: Kettering
Education: Northampton College
Gender: Male
Description: English comedian
Net Worth 2020: 5 million
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Last Modified: Oct 20 2025
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