History of Richard Gadd in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 14, 2026

Richard Gadd is a Scottish actor, comedian, and writer. He gained significant recognition for creating and starring in the Netflix drama series 'Baby Reindeer,' based on his one-man dark comedy show of the same name. Gadd won three Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on the series, specifically for writing, producing, and acting. The series also earned him a Peabody Award, highlighting the impactful storytelling and his multifaceted contributions to the production.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 1989: Richard Gadd Born

In May 1989, Richard Gadd was born. He is a Scottish actor, comedian, and writer.

Others born on this day/year

2008: Stand-up comedy debut

In 2008, Richard Gadd began performing stand-up comedy and musical comedy while a student at Glasgow University.

2009: Enters Chortle new comedian awards

In 2009, Richard Gadd entered the Glasgow heats of the Chortle new comedian awards.

2010: First Edinburgh Fringe show

In 2010, Richard Gadd performed his first Edinburgh Fringe show, Richard Gadd: 6 And Half A 7.

2011: Graduation from the University of Glasgow

In 2011, Richard Gadd graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in English literature and theatre studies.

2011: Chortle Student Comedy Awards finalist

In 2011, Richard Gadd was a Chortle Student Comedy Awards finalist.

2012: Edinburgh Fringe show and Oxford School of Drama

In 2012, Richard Gadd co-performed in the Edinburgh Fringe show Gadd, Kirk And Winning – Well, This Is Awkward…, and trained at the Oxford School of Drama, completing a one-year course.

2013: Edinburgh Fringe show, Cheese & Crack Whores

In 2013, Richard Gadd's Edinburgh Fringe show, Cheese & Crack Whores, went on to have runs at London's Soho Theatre.

2014: Role in Scot Squad

In 2014, Richard Gadd's acting career began with a role in an episode of BBC Scotland's Scot Squad.

2014: Edinburgh Fringe show, Breaking Gadd

In 2014, Richard Gadd's show, Breaking Gadd, had runs at London's Soho Theatre.

2015: Role in Tripped

In 2015, Richard Gadd continued his acting career in four episodes of E4's Tripped.

2015: Addiction Struggles

In 2015, Richard Gadd told The Guardian that he had struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, but was now sober.

2015: Edinburgh Fringe show, Waiting for Gaddot

In 2015, Richard Gadd's Edinburgh Fringe show, Waiting for Gaddot, gained Gadd more success and wider attention. Waiting for Gaddot won an Amused Moose Comedy Award in 2015.

2016: Won Edinburgh Comedy Award

In 2016, Richard Gadd's Fringe show Monkey See Monkey Do won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Comedy Show. Gadd also won a Chortle Comedian's Comedian Award and was nominated for an Off West End Theatre Award for Best Performer.

2016: Scottish Comedy Award for Best Solo Show

In 2016, Waiting for Gaddot won a Scottish Comedy Award for Best Solo Show.

2017: Broadcast on Comedy Central

In 2017, Monkey See Monkey Do was broadcast as part of Comedy Central's Soho Theatre Live series.

2017: Starred in Against the Law

In 2017, Richard Gadd starred opposite Daniel Mays in the BAFTA-nominated BBC Two single drama Against the Law.

2019: Baby Reindeer Edinburgh fringe show

In 2019, Baby Reindeer began as an Edinburgh fringe show, a dark comedy chronicling Gadd's experiences of being stalked and sexually assaulted.

2022: Starred in Wedding Season

In 2022, Richard Gadd starred as Conrad Lennox in three episodes of the Disney+ series Wedding Season.

April 2024: Release of Baby Reindeer on Netflix

In April 2024, Netflix released a seven-episode drama, Baby Reindeer, based on Gadd's play. Following the release, Fiona Harvey identified herself as the person the character 'Martha' was based on and is pursuing a defamation claim against Netflix.

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2024: Baby Reindeer Airs on Netflix

In 2024, Richard Gadd is best known for creating and starring in the Netflix drama series Baby Reindeer, which was based on his eponymous one-man dark comedy show. Gadd won three Primetime Emmy Awards for writing, producing, and acting in the series. Gadd also won a Peabody Award for the series in 2024.

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