{{Short description|English impressionist, comedian and actor (born 1987)}} {{Use British English|date=August 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox person | name = Luke Kempner | birth_name = Luke Garrod Kempner | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|5|df=y}} | birth_place = Burstow, Surrey, England | occupation = {{hlist|Impressionist|comedian|actor}} | alma_mater = Guildford School of Acting | television = | spouse = {{marriage|Alana MacFarlane|2016}} | relatives = Sooz Kempner (sister) | website = https://www.lukekempner.com/ | children = 1 }}
'''Luke Garrod Kempner''' (born 5 June 1987) is an English impressionist, comedian and actor. After appearing in various films and musicals, he established a career in comedy, developing his own stand-up comedy show, and has since appeared as an impressionist on numerous sketch shows including ''Newzoids'' (2016), ''Tracey Ullman's Show'' (2017), ''Murder in Successville'' (2017), ''Spitting Image'' (2020–2021), ''The Last Leg'' (2021) and ''Deep Fake Neighbour Wars'' (2023), as well as appearing regularly on ''Big Brother's Bit on the Side'' (2016–2018).
==Early and personal life== Luke Garrod Kempner was born on 5 June 1987 to Mark and Anna Kempner (''{{née}}'' Schneider) in Smallfield, a settlement in Burstow, Surrey, England.<ref name="biography">{{cite web |title=Interview: Luke Kempner, Surrey's Downton impressionist |url=https://www.essentialsurrey.co.uk/surrey-sw-london-things-to-do/theatre-arts/surrey-impressionist-luke-kempner/ |work=Essential Surrey |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=2 November 2015 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627021851/https://www.essentialsurrey.co.uk/surrey-sw-london-things-to-do/theatre-arts/surrey-impressionist-luke-kempner/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Luke Garrod KEMPNER |url=https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=279605418:2735&d=bmd_1689976433 |work=freeBMD |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233104/https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?r=279605418:2735&d=bmd_1689976433 |url-status=live }}</ref> He is the younger brother of comedian Sooz Kempner.<ref>{{cite web |title='I almost died. Just kidding! I only broke my leg': comedians share their Edinburgh fringe horror stories |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/aug/05/comedians-worst-edinburgh-ed-byrne-grace-campbell-john-robins-olga-koch-paul-sinha |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 August 2023 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807055701/https://amp.theguardian.com/stage/2023/aug/05/comedians-worst-edinburgh-ed-byrne-grace-campbell-john-robins-olga-koch-paul-sinha |url-status=live }}</ref> Kempner attended Burstow Primary School and subsequently Oakwood School in Horley.<ref name="biography"/> He then went on to attend Reigate College and studied drama at the Guildford School of Acting. Kempner said he "[impersonated] the teachers all the way through [his] education."<ref name="biography"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Impressionist Luke Kempner: 'I do sometimes get mixed up!' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bmw2q0 |website=BBC |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208133431/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bmw2q0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Kempner married Alana MacFarlane in 2016 and they have a daughter, born in 2021.<ref name="biography"/>
==Career== After finishing drama school, Kempner began his career as an actor, portraying minor roles in the films ''Fathers of Girls'' (2009) and ''Fly Trap'' (2010) and appearing in musicals including ''Lift'', ''Les Misérables'', ''South Pacific'' and ''Avenue Q'' but said that he "always wanted to do [his] comedy professionally."<ref name="biography"/><ref name="fathers of girls">{{cite web |title=Fathers of Girls, Film |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/136066/fathers-of-girls |work=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233107/https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/136066/fathers-of-girls |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fly trap">{{cite web |title=Fly Trap at Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fly_trap |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233146/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/fly_trap |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2012, he began posting videos of himself impersonating celebrities including Andy Murray and Tom Daley, however it wasn't until his comedy skit ''Downstairs at Downton'', inspired by the characters of the ITV drama ''Downton Abbey'', gained traction on social media and his career as a comedian and impressionist subsequently took off.<ref name="biography"/> He developed the online sketch into a one-man show titled ''The Only Way Is Downton'', touring around the UK at venues including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and later developing an American version ''America's Got Downton'' that he performed in the United States.<ref name="the guardian">{{cite web |title=Wednesday's best TV: What Britain Bought In 2015, Charlie Brooker's End Of Year Wipe 2015, and more |url=https://theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/dec/30/wednesdays-best-tv |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=30 December 2015 |archive-date=30 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830114733/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/dec/30/wednesdays-best-tv |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner and Tom Neenan do their best Attenborough and Love Island impressions in The Trip spoof |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a835195/luke-kempner-tom-neenan-the-trip-to-edinburgh-david-attenborough/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=9 August 2017 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233111/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a835195/luke-kempner-tom-neenan-the-trip-to-edinburgh-david-attenborough/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2015, Kempner fronted his own ITV2 sketch show ''Luke Kempner's Impression of 2015'', which featured Kempner's various impersonations of celebrities.<ref name="the guardian"/> In 2016, he appeared in an episode of ''Drunk History'' and provided the voices for the ITV sketch show ''Newzoids'', before joining ''Big Brother's Bit on the Side'' as a regular comedian and impressionsist, in which he impersonated the housemates throughout the series.<ref name="drunk history">{{cite web |title=Drunk History, Series 2, Episode 6 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/drunk_history/episodes/2/6/ |work=British Comedy Guide |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703201930/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/drunk_history/episodes/2/6/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="newzoids">{{cite web |title=Impressionist heads to Eastleigh |url=https://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2019/01/tv-impressionist-heads-to-eastleigh/ |website=Eastleigh News |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233735/https://www.eastleighnews.co.uk/2019/01/tv-impressionist-heads-to-eastleigh/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bbbots">{{cite web |title=Big Brother legends bid farewell as reality show airs final episode on Channel 5 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/big-brother-legends-bid-farewell-final-series-channel-5/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 November 2018 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814233740/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/big-brother-legends-bid-farewell-final-series-channel-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="cbbbots">{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner at SpeakOut |url=https://speakout.uk/speaker/luke-kempner/#:~:text=Luke%20Kempner%20is%20an%20impressionist,for%20a%20full%20nine%20series. |website=Speak Out |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814234640/https://speakout.uk/speaker/luke-kempner/#:~:text=Luke%20Kempner%20is%20an%20impressionist,for%20a%20full%20nine%20series. |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, he appeared as various characters in ''Tracey Ullman's Show'' and ''Murder in Successville''.<ref name="murder in successville">{{cite web |title=Professor Green, Richard Osman and Reggie Yates join Tom Davis in Murder in Successville |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/professor-green-richard-osman-and-reggie-yates-join-tom-davis-in-murder-in-successville/ |website=Radio Times |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 February 2017 |archive-date=18 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518054502/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/professor-green-richard-osman-and-reggie-yates-join-tom-davis-in-murder-in-successville/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="tracey ullman">{{cite web |title=Tracey Ullman's Show |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08jkwzv |work=BBC |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=6 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806060715/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08jkwzv |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2019, he narrated the ITV2 dating series ''Singletown''.<ref name="singletown">{{cite web |title=Meet the hilarious voice over of ITV's Singletown – move over Iain Stirling! |url=https://www.realitytitbit.com/itv/meet-the-hilarious-voice-over-of-itvs-singletown-move-over-iain-stirling |website=Reality Titbit |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=5 September 2019 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814234611/https://www.realitytitbit.com/itv/meet-the-hilarious-voice-over-of-itvs-singletown-move-over-iain-stirling |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, Kempner appeared as a contestant on the first series of ''Celebrity Karaoke Club'', and finished in third place.<ref name="celebrity karaoke club">{{cite web |title=Who is Celebrity Karaoke Club star Luke Kempner and how is he famous? |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/luke-kempner-youtube-famous/ |website=Heart |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=23 September 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118222014/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/luke-kempner-youtube-famous/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Between 2020 and 2021, he provided the voices for the puppets on the revival series of ''Spitting Image'' and went on to star in the musical adaption.<ref name="spitting image">{{cite web |title='Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical' announces cast and voiceover artists |url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/idiots-assemble-spitting-image-the-musical-cast-and-voiceover-artists |work=London Theatre |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=27 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727131851/https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/idiots-assemble-spitting-image-the-musical-cast-and-voiceover-artists |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, he appeared as various characters in ''The Last Leg''.<ref name="the last leg">{{cite web |title=The Last Leg, Series 22, Episode 4 |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_last_leg/episodes/22/4/ |work=British Comedy Guide |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404023626/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_last_leg/episodes/22/4/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2022, Kempner toured his new show ''Macho Macho Man'' at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which was described as a "deep dive into the thorny issues of modern masculinity" and ranked four out of five stars by ''The Daily Telegraph''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Edinburgh Fringe comedy reviews: the best shows of 2022, from Sam Campbell to Lara Ricote |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/edinburgh-fringe-reviews-2022-best-comedy-shows-awards-highlights/ |website=Daily Telegraph |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=27 August 2022 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224224457/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/edinburgh-fringe-reviews-2022-best-comedy-shows-awards-highlights/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, Kempner impersonated various celebrities in the ITV2 comedy series ''Deep Fake Neighbour Wars'', before it was announced he would be appearing in the West End production of ''Les Misérables'' as Thénardier. He later reprised the role in the 2025 World Arena Concert Tour of the show.<ref name="deep fake neighbour wars">{{cite web |title=Who are the comedians and impressionists behind the famous faces in Deep Fake Neighbour Wars? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/27/deep-fake-neighbour-wars-who-are-the-comedians-behind-famous-faces-18172622/ |website=Metro |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=27 January 2023 |archive-date=4 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204124418/https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/27/deep-fake-neighbour-wars-who-are-the-comedians-behind-famous-faces-18172622/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner joins Les Mis |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2023/08/10/53808/luke_kempner_joins_les_mis |work=Chortle |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814234619/https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2023/08/10/53808/luke_kempner_joins_les_mis |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Luke Kempner and more to join West End cast of Les Misérables |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/luke-kempner-and-more-to-join-west-end-cast-of-les-miserables_1517624/ |website=WhatsOnStage |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811053407/https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/luke-kempner-and-more-to-join-west-end-cast-of-les-miserables_1517624/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes ! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2009 | ''Fathers of Girls'' | Simon | Film | align="center" | <ref name="fathers of girls"/>" |- | 2010 | ''Fly Trap'' | Jack | Film | align="center" | <ref name="fly trap"/> |- | 2015 | ''Luke Kempner's Impression of 2015'' | Various | Sketch show | align="center" | <ref name="the guardian"/> |- | 2016 | ''Drunk History'' | Dr. William Beatty | 1 episode | align="center" | <ref name="drunk history"/> |- | 2016 | ''Newzoids'' | Various | 1 episode | align="center" | <ref name="newzoids"/> |- | 2016–2018 | ''Big Brother's Bit on the Side'' | Himself | Regular guest | align="center" | <ref name="bbbots"/> |- | 2016–2018 | ''Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side'' | Himself | Regular guest | align="center" | <ref name="cbbbots"/> |- | 2017 | ''Tracey Ullman's Show'' | Various | Sketch show | align="center" | <ref name="tracey ullman"/> |- | 2017 | ''Episodes'' | TV writer | 1 episode | align="center" | <ref name="episodes"/> |- | 2017 | ''Murder in Successville'' | Various | Sketch show | align="center" | <ref name="murder in successville"/> |- | 2019 | ''Singletown'' | Himself | Narrator | align="center" | <ref name="singletown"/> |- | 2020–2021 | ''Spitting Image'' | Various | Sketch show | align="center" | <ref name="spitting image"/> |- | 2020 | ''Celebrity Karaoke Club'' | Himself | Contestant | align="center" | <ref name="celebrity karaoke club"/> |- | 2021 | ''The Last Leg'' | Various | One Episode | align="center" | <ref name="the last leg"/> |- | 2023 | ''Deep Fake Neighbour Wars'' | Various | Sketch show | align="center" | <ref name="deep fake neighbour wars"/> |- |2023 |''Pointless Celebrities'' |Himself |Contestant | <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-12 |title=BBC iPlayer - Pointless Celebrities - Series 16: Special |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001pnx0 |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=BBC iPlayer}}</ref> |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kempner, Luke}} Category:1987 births Category:21st-century English male actors Category:Alumni of the Guildford School of Acting Category:Comedians from Surrey Category:English impressionists (entertainers) Category:English male comedians Category:English male musical theatre actors Category:English male television actors Category:English male voice actors Category:Jewish English comedians Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Surrey Category:People from Tandridge District