# James Mullinger

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{{short description|English comedian based in New Brunswick, Canada}}
{{for|the British author and historian|James Bass Mullinger}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = <!-- defaults to article title when left blank -->
| image         = James Mullinger.jpg
| alt           = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption       = 
| birth_name    = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|1978|3|11|df=yes}}
| birth_place   = [Berkshire](/source/Berkshire), [England](/source/England), UK
| death_date    = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (DEATH date then BIRTH date) -->
| death_place   = 
| occupation    = Comedian
| years_active  = 2005–present
| known_for     = 
| notable_works = 
| website       = {{URL|https://www.jamesmullinger.com}}
}}
'''James Mullinger''' (born 11 March 1978) is an [English-Canadian](/source/British_Canadians) [alternative comedian](/source/alternative_comedy) based in [New Brunswick](/source/New_Brunswick). Though primarily a stand-up comic, Mullinger has held a number of roles in other media including a presenter of ''Blimey! An Englishman in Atlantic Canada'',<ref name=stephen/> co-writer and co-producer of ''[The Comedian's Guide to Survival](/source/The_Comedian's_Guide_to_Survival)'',<ref name=guidetosurvival/> and actor in the upcoming ''NBrexit''.<ref name=perry/>{{update after|2023|4|1|reason=get rid of "upcoming" once it airs (expected March 2023)}} In 2022, he published his memoir, ''Brit Happens: Or Living the Canadian Dream'', with [Goose Lane Editions](/source/Goose_Lane_Editions).<ref name=cooke/><ref name=nulman/> In 2016, Mullinger broke [Jerry Seinfeld](/source/Jerry_Seinfeld)'s record ticket sales at [Harbour Station](/source/Harbour_Station) and outsold performances including [Guns N' Roses](/source/Guns_N'_Roses), [Iron Maiden](/source/Iron_Maiden), and [Snoop Dogg](/source/Snoop_Dogg).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/other-news/2018/05/03/39868/unknown_comic_outsells_seinfeld_%E2%80%93%C2%A0again|title='Unknown' comic outsells Seinfeld – again|date=2018-05-03|publisher=Chortle|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>

==Early life==
Mullinger grew up in [Maidenhead, Berkshire](/source/Maidenhead%2C_Berkshire).<ref name=dewey>{{cite web|url=https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/18287/James-Mullinger-is--living-the.html|title=James Mullinger is 'living the dream' at Norden Farm|date=2013-11-08|publisher=Maidenhead Advertiser|last=Dewey|first=Philip|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> He studied English Literature and Women's Studies at [Kingston University](/source/Kingston_University).<ref name=elder>{{cite web|url=https://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/latest-theatre-news/71966/Comedian-James-Mullinger-returns-to-his.html|title=Comedian James Mullinger returns to his home town with latest tour|last=Elder|first=Lucy|date=2014-10-30|publisher=Maidenhead Advertiser|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=laws>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/james-mullinger-play-birminghams-old-6120091|title=James Mullinger's brush with notoriety|last=Laws|first=Roz|date=2013-12-04|publisher=Business Live|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=guidetosurvival/> Mullinger grew up seeing shows at [Norden Farm](/source/Norden_Farm_Centre_for_the_Arts) and has since performed there.<ref name=cook/> As a teenager, his favourite comedians included [Ben Elton](/source/Ben_Elton), [Frank Skinner](/source/Frank_Skinner), [Steve Martin](/source/Steve_Martin), and [Monty Python](/source/Monty_Python).<ref name=opportunities/>

==Career==
Mullinger began performing [stand-up comedy](/source/stand-up_comedy) in 2005.<ref name=guidetosurvival/> The same year, he reached the finals of [Jimmy Carr](/source/Jimmy_Carr)'s ''Comedy Idol'', ''[You Must Be Joking](/source/Newbury_Comedy_Festival)'' at the [Newbury Comedy Festival](/source/Newbury_Comedy_Festival), and ''Your Comedy Stars'' at the [Edinburgh Fringe](/source/Edinburgh_Festival_Fringe).<ref name=oxford>{{cite web|url=https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2010/10/25/interview-james-mullinger/|title=Interview: James Mullinger|date=2010-10-25|publisher=Oxford Student|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> He also started the Upstairs at the Masons comedy club in the function room of [Mayfair](/source/Mayfair)'s Masons Arms pub which, in addition to bringing in local comedians, attracted comedians such as [Russell Brand](/source/Russell_Brand), [Richard Herring](/source/Richard_Herring), [Greg Davies](/source/Greg_Davies), and [Michael McIntyre](/source/Michael_McIntyre).<ref name=cook>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/comedy-gigs/jimmy-mullinger-shares-teenage-diaries-4198128|title=Jimmy Mullinger shares his teenage diaries|last=Cook|first=Carolina|date=2012-08-30|publisher=Berkshire Live|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=guidetosurvival>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/film/the_comedians_guide_to_survival/interviews/james_mullinger/|title=The Comedian's Guide to Survival: James Mullinger Interview|date=2016-10-17|publisher=British Comedy Guide|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> His debut show in 2009, ''The Bad Boy of Feminism'', sold out at the [Camden Fringe](/source/Camden_Fringe).<ref name=cook/><ref name=oxford/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/feb/06/comedy-previews-the-guide|title=This week's comedy previews|last=Kettle|first=James|date=6 February 2010|work=The Guardian|accessdate=18 July 2011}}</ref> Since then, he has performed a number of shows—''James Mullinger's Schooldays'', ''The Man With No Shame'' (2012/2013),<ref name=cook/><ref name=oxford/> ''Living the Canadian Dream'' (2014/2015),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebaron.ca/2014/10/30/james-mullinger-living-the-canadian-dream/|title=James Mullinger: "Living the Canadian Dream"|date=2014-10-30|publisher=The Baron|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cjlo.com/articles/james-mullinger-is-living-the-dream|title=James Mullinger is Living the Dream|last=Greco|first=Jacob|date=2014-06-16|publisher=CJLO|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=brownstein/><ref name=nulman/><ref name=laws/> and ''Anything is Possible''<ref name=opportunities/>—across both Canada and the UK. ''The Man With No Shame'' was centred around readings from his teenage diaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/comedy-gigs/james-mullinger-brings-living-dream-4189753|title=James Mullinger brings his Living the Dream show to Windsor|last=Cook|first=Caroline|date=2013-04-11|publisher=Berkshire Live|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>

Between November 2011 and January 2012, Mullinger hosted ''Movie Kingdom'', a [web series](/source/web_series) co-created with friend and collaborator Mark Murphy.<ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=dewey/> The pair reviewed movies and interviewed celebrities. It was later developed as a [Comedy Central](/source/Comedy_Central) [web series](/source/web_series) titled ''A Moment With'', which featured actors including [Anne Hathaway](/source/Anne_Hathaway), [Andrew Garfield](/source/Andrew_Garfield), and [Javier Bardem](/source/Javier_Bardem) and comedians [Jackie Mason](/source/Jackie_Mason), [Ross Noble](/source/Ross_Noble), and [Stewart Lee](/source/Stewart_Lee).{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} In 2016, he and Murphy collaborated on ''[The Comedian's Guide to Survival](/source/The_Comedian's_Guide_to_Survival)'', a film based on and dramatising Mullinger's experiences as a comedian. ''[The Inbetweeners](/source/The_Inbetweeners)'' star [James Buckley](/source/James_Buckley_(actor)) portrayed the fictionalised version of Mullinger.<ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=opportunities/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heyuguys.com/the-comedians-guide-to-survival-set-visit-report-part-one/|title=The Comedian's Guide to Survival Set Visit Report – Part One|last=Pape|first=Stefan|date=2015-09-11|publisher=Hey u Guys|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2015/08/17/23052/inbetweeners_james_buckley_turns_stand-up|title=Inbetweeners' James Buckley turns stand-up|date=2015-08-17|publisher=Chortle|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>

The same year, he worked with Hemmings House on ''City on Fire'', a documentary showing Mullinger getting ready for his first sold-out show at [Harbour Station](/source/Harbour_Station) and exploring his love of New Brunswick.<ref name=harding>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/city-on-fire-documentary-1.3767420|title=City on Fire shares story of comedian's love for Saint John|last=Harding|first=Gail|date=2016-09-17|publisher=CBC News|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=opportunities/> He also finished shooting the first season of ''Comedy Bootcamp'' on [Bell Aliant](/source/Bell_Aliant) TV1 in 2016.<ref name=opportunities/> In 2022, Mullinger published his memoir ''Brit Happens: Or Living the Canadian Dream'' with [Goose Lane Editions](/source/Goose_Lane_Editions).<ref name=cooke/><ref name=nulman/> ''NBrexit'', his next major venture, is a sitcom about a comedian forced to move to Canada (whereas Mullinger made the choice) to escape a [Brexit](/source/Brexit) scandal. It was filmed in [Miramichi](/source/Miramichi%2C_New_Brunswick) and claims to be the first English-speaking sitcom filmed and set entirely in New Brunswick.<ref name=perry>{{cite web|url=https://huddle.today/2022/09/08/new-sitcom-set-in-n-b-will-be-released-next-year|title=New Sitcom Set In N.B. Will Be Released Next Year|date=2022-09-08|last=Perry|first=Brad|publisher=Huddle|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> Mullinger also made an effort to employ people living in New Brunswick.<ref name=opportunities/> It is scheduled to air in March 2023.<ref name=robins>{{cite news|url=https://www.halifaxpresents.com/comedy/comedian-james-mullinger-celebrates-ten-years-in-canada/|title=Comedian James Mullinger celebrates ten years in Canada|last=Robins|first=Mark|date=2022-12-19|newspaper=Halifax Presents|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>{{update after|2023|4|1|}}

Mullinger worked at ''[GQ](/source/GQ)'' 2000-2014, starting during a two-week work experience after university.<ref name=oxford/> He was a journalist, comedy editor, and photo editor, and interviewed celebrities such as [Daniel Craig](/source/Daniel_Craig), [Tom Cruise](/source/Tom_Cruise), and [George Clooney](/source/George_Clooney).<ref name=dewey/><ref name=cook/><ref name=brownstein>{{cite web|url=https://montrealgazette.com/entertainment/comedian-james-mullinger-is-living-the-dream-in-saint-john-new-brunswick|title=Comedian James Mullinger is living the dream in Saint John, New Brunswick|last=Brownstein|first=Bill|date=2015-05-13|publisher=Montreal Gazette|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=opportunities>{{cite web|url=https://onbcanada.ca/comedian-james-mullinger-on-why-anything-is-possible-in-new-brunswick/|title=Comedian James Mullinger on Why Anything is Possible in New Brunswick|publisher=Opportunities NB|date=2016-03-10|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theinterrobang.com/an-englishman-goes-town-to-town-performing-stand-up-in-rural-atlantic-canada/|title=An Englishman Goes Town to Town Performing Stand Up in Rural Atlantic Canada|date=2015-03-27|publisher=The Interrobang|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> In 2012, he was at the centre of controversy when he airbrushed [Kate Winslet](/source/Kate_Winslet) to look thinner and have longer legs. While the pushback was difficult, he said that the argument was valid and that he "was just an idiot" and that it was a "big mistake" rather than an intentional act of misogyny.<ref name=laws/>

Mullinger has appeared on ''Street-Cred Sudoku'' alongside [Robin Ince](/source/Robin_Ince), [Sue Perkins](/source/Sue_Perkins) and [Rufus Hound](/source/Rufus_Hound).{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} In Canada, he toured the country for ''Blimey! An Englishman in Atlantic Canada'' and ''Atlantic Edition'' and played villain Mr. Green in the children's show ''Ug Wug''.<ref name=stephen>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlottefm.ca/2022/02/01/saint-john-sea-monster-becomes-childs-best-friend-in-new-tv-production/|title=Saint John Sea Monster Becomes Child's Best Friend In New TV Production|last=Stephen|first=Elizabeth|date=2022-02-01|publisher=Charlotte FM|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/ug-wug-tv-show-1.6373162|title=Saint John's mythical Ug Wug is half salmon, half seal and coming to life in a new TV show|date=2022-03-05|publisher=CBC|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/miramichi-sitcom-1.6516899|title=New sitcom to be set in Miramichi|last=Sweet|first=Jennifer|date=2022-07-11|publisher=CBC|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> Mullinger is also editor-in-chief of ''Maritime [EDIT]'', a quarterly publication centred on [Atlantic Canada](/source/Atlantic_Canada),<ref name=robins/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/profile/james-mullinger|title=James Mullinger|publisher=GQ|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> and co-hosts ''Field & Mullinger's Underground Nights'' with Paul Field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://failedcritics.com/2016/09/24/field-mullingers-underground-nights-aroma-du-troma/|title=Field & Mullinger's Underground Nights: Aroma du Troma|date=2016-09-24|last=Hughes|first=Owen|publisher=Failed Critics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023134854/https://failedcritics.com/2016/09/24/field-mullingers-underground-nights-aroma-du-troma/|archive-date=2016-10-23}}</ref> He has been nominated for a [Just for Laughs](/source/Just_for_Laughs) Comedy Award and a [Canadian Comedy Award](/source/Canadian_Comedy_Awards)<ref name=opportunities/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theeastmag.com/2017/08/27/james-mullingers-stand-comedy-hits-world-stage-amazon-prime/|title=James Mullinger's stand-up comedy hits world stage with Amazon Prime|last=Cook|first=Alex|date=2017-08-27|publisher=The East Mag|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref> for Best Live Show.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} Mullinger credits a comedy course taught by [Logan Murray](/source/Logan_Murray) and [Hils Jago](/source/Hils_Jago) for helping him garner the confidence needed to perform standup.<ref name=guidetosurvival/>

==Personal life==
Mullinger and his Canadian-born wife, Pam, moved to [Saint John, New Brunswick](/source/Saint_John%2C_New_Brunswick) from [London](/source/London) in 2014.<ref name=perry/><ref name=brownstein/><ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=nulman/><ref name=cooke/> His wife worked with ''[Vanity Fair](/source/Vanity_Fair_(magazine))'' and ''[Wallpaper*](/source/Wallpaper_(magazine))'' while in London and as of 2022 was a marketing consultant and advertising director for several magazines, including ''[Kinfolk](/source/Kinfolk_(magazine))''.<ref name=opportunities/> The couple have two sons, Hunter and River, who play Mullinger's children in his show ''NBrexit''.<ref name=robins/><ref name=perry/><ref name=opportunities/><ref name=guidetosurvival/><ref name=dewey/> Mullinger is a self-proclaimed feminist and has performed to benefit women's charities.<ref name=laws/> On November 9, 2021, he became a [Canadian citizen](/source/Canadian).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sousa |first1=Aaron |title=From crumpets to Timbits: James Mullinger on becoming a Canadian - The Aquinian |url=https://theaquinian.net/40612-2/ |access-date=19 April 2024 |work=[The Aquinian](/source/The_Aquinian) |date=27 March 2022 |language=en-CA}}</ref> As of 2022, Mullinger lives in the town of [Rothesay](/source/Rothesay%2C_New_Brunswick).<ref name=nulman>{{cite web|url=https://totimes.ca/totimes-books-brit-happens-or-living-the-canadian-dream-by-james-mullinger/|title=TOtimes Books: BRIT HAPPENS* (*Or Living the Canadian Dream) By James Mullinger|date=2022-05-27|last=Nulman|first=Stuart|publisher=TO Times|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref><ref name=cooke>{{cite web|url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/lifestyles/funny-pages-mullinger-chronicles-life-as-a-standup-brit-in-atlantic-canada-100744842/|title=Funny pages: Mullinger chronicles life as a standup Brit in Atlantic Canada|last=Cooke|first=Stephen|date=2022-06-17|publisher=Saltwire|access-date=2023-03-22}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.maritimeedit.com/ ''The Maritime Edit'' official website]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkniRCzty64 James Mullinger live] at the [Imperial Theatre](/source/Imperial_Theatre%2C_Saint_John) on [YouTube](/source/YouTube)
* [http://mobtreal.com/comedy/guest-blogger-james-mullinger/ James Mullinger on why he loves Montreal]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mullinger, James}}
Category:Living people
Category:English male comedians
Category:Alumni of Kingston University
Category:People from Maidenhead
Category:English emigrants to Canada
Category:21st-century English comedians
Category:Naturalized citizens of Canada
Category:Comedians from New Brunswick
Category:People from Rothesay, New Brunswick
Category:1978 births
Category:Comedians from Berkshire

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [James Mullinger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mullinger) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Mullinger?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.