Chris Langham obit

Chris Langham Dies: BAFTA-Winning ‘The Thick Of It’ Star & Child Sex Offender Was 77

 He was not on the list.

Chris Langham, the BAFTA-winning actor whose career was effectively ended after he was found guilty of downloading child abuse images, has died. He was 77.

Langham’s death on June 24 was announced Thursday in an obituary in The Times of London. The newspaper reported that the actor, who is survived by five children, died in June of pancreatic cancer.

Born in 1949, Langham was a prolific writer and performer who is best known for his work in Armando Iannucci’s political satire The Thick of It, in which he played Hugh Abbot MP.

Langham won a BAFTA TV Award in 2006 for the comedy performance, but a year later he was found guilty of possessing child pornography.

He was convicted of 15 counts of making an indecent photograph of a child between September and November 2005, but was cleared of having sex with an underage female fan. He was sentenced to six months in prison.

Langham always protested his innocence and said he downloaded the images when researching a role for the BBC comedy series Help. Paul Whitehouse, his co-star, contradicted this evidence in court.

Langham was the sole British writer on The Muppet Show, winning an Emmy during his five years working on the series, scripting lines for Miss Piggy.

He cameoed in Monty Python’s Life of Brian and appeared regularly in Not the Nine O’Clock News, an iconic BBC sketch series that helped launch the career of Rowan Atkinson.

Following his conviction, he featured in the odd screen project, such as 2020’s Vengeance, but his career was never the same again, despite him claiming that the likes of John Cleese stood by him.

Actor

Billy Murray in Vengeance (2020)

Vengeance

3.6

Danny

2020

 

The Darkest Universe (2016)

The Darkest Universe

5.5

Alan

2016

 

The Meal

Short

Father

2015

 

Full Time (2013)

Full Time

6.8

Short

Vinnie

2013

 

The Factory (2013)

The Factory

6.1

Doctor

2013

 

Billy Murray and Jayson Wheatley in Acceptance (2012)

Acceptance

4.4

Danny

2012

 

Chris Langham, Amanda Hadingue, Will Sharpe, Helen Cripps, and Anna O'Grady in Black Pond (2011)

Black Pond

5.8

Tom Thompson

2011

 

Seven Second Delay

TV Movie

Harry

2006

 

My Family and Other Animals (2005)

My Family and Other Animals

7.3

TV Movie

Theodore Stephanides

2005

 

Peter Capaldi in The Thick of It (2005)

The Thick of It

8.7

TV Series

Hugh Abbot

2005

6 episodes

 

John Bird, Rory Bremner, and John Fortune in Bremner, Bird and Fortune (1997)

Bremner, Bird and Fortune

7.7

TV Series

Frank

2005

2 episodes

 

Chris Langham in John Wyndham: The Invisible Man of Science Fiction (2005)

John Wyndham: The Invisible Man of Science Fiction

9.0

TV Movie

John Wyndham

2005

 

Absolute Power (2003)

Absolute Power

8.1

TV Series

Peter Walsh

2005

1 episode

 

Chris Langham and Paul Whitehouse in Help (2005)

Help

8.2

TV Series

Peter

2005

6 episodes

 

Monkey Dust (2003)

Monkey Dust

8.4

TV Series

Various Characters

2005

2 episodes

 

Peter Ackroyd's London (2004)

Peter Ackroyd's London

7.5

TV Mini Series

Ned Ward - Satirist

2004

1 episode

 

The Legend of the Tamworth Two (2004)

The Legend of the Tamworth Two

6.0

TV Movie

Jack

2004

 

Sarah Alexander and Ben Miller in The Worst Week of My Life (2004)

The Worst Week of My Life

8.0

TV Series

Barry Turner

2004

1 episode

 

Boohbah (2003)

Boohbah

4.0

TV Series

Voice

2003

104 episodes

 

Spine Chillers (2003)

Spine Chillers

6.7

TV Series

George Hackett

2003

1 episode

 

George Orwell: A Life in Pictures (2003)

George Orwell: A Life in Pictures

8.1

TV Movie

George Orwell

2003

 

Gimme Gimme Gimme (1999)

Gimme Gimme Gimme

7.5

TV Series

Narrator (voice)

2001

1 episode

 

Ian Holm in The Emperor's New Clothes (2001)

The Emperor's New Clothes

6.9

Maurice

2001

 

People Like Us (1999)

People Like Us

8.3

TV Series

Roy Mallard (voice)

1999–2001

12 episodes

 

Darren Boyd, Amanda Holden, Chris Langham, Cliff Parisi, and Caroline Quentin in Kiss Me Kate (1998)

Kiss Me Kate

6.9

TV Series

Douglas FieldingCameron

1998–2001

22 episodes

 

Juliette Lewis and Saïd Taghmaoui in Room to Rent (2000)

Room to Rent

6.1

Mr. Paul

2000

 

Craig Ferguson in The Big Tease (1999)

The Big Tease

6.2

BBC Interviewer

1999

 

Murder Most Horrid (1991)

Murder Most Horrid

7.2

TV Series

Harry

1999

1 episode

 

The Preventers

8.2

TV Movie

Dr. Keelover

1996

 

Imelda Staunton, Matthew Ashforde, Patrick Barlow, Jeremy Clyde, Kate Isitt, and Richard Lumsden in Is It Legal? (1995)

Is It Legal?

7.8

TV Series

Mr. Etherington

1996

1 episode

 

John Cleese, Chris Langham, and Hugh Laurie in Look at the State We're In! (1995)

Look at the State We're In!

6.6

TV Mini Series

Writer

1995

1 episode

 

Inside Victor Lewis-Smith (1993)

Inside Victor Lewis-Smith

7.1

TV Series

Mr. GobbleTV Vicar

1993

2 episodes

 

Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith in Alas Smith & Jones (1984)

Alas Smith & Jones

7.4

TV Series

1989–1992

12 episodes

 

Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall in Bottom (1991)

Bottom

8.3

TV Series

Tight-Mouthed Larry

1992

1 episode

 

Carry on Columbus (1992)

Carry on Columbus

3.5

Hubba

1992

 

Christina Applegate, David Faustino, Katey Sagal, and Ed O'Neill in Married... with Children (1987)

Married... with Children

8.1

TV Series

Airport Security (uncredited)

1992

1 episode

 

Jackanory (1965)

Jackanory

7.2

TV Series

1991

1 episode

 

Bejewelled (1991)

Bejewelled

6.3

TV Movie

Cop

1991

 

Up Yer News (1990)

Up Yer News

TV Series

1990

 

Tracie Bennett and Margi Clarke in Making Out (1989)

Making Out

8.0

TV Series

Hotel porter

1990

1 episode

 

Vas Blackwood, Samantha Womack, Paul Rothery, Ling Tai, Stephanie Charles, and Joe Greco in Spatz (1990)

Spatz

6.6

TV Series

Marvin the Magnificent

1990–1992

1 episode

 

Chelmsford 123 (1988)

Chelmsford 123

7.7

TV Series

Roman Guard

1990

2 episodes

 

John Nettles in Bergerac (1981)

Bergerac

6.9

TV Series

Devas

1989

1 episode

 

MuppeTelevision (1987)

MuppeTelevision

8.1

TV Series

OfficerAdditional Muppet PerformerExerciser ...

1989

6 episodes

 

Screen Two (1984)

Screen Two

6.7

TV Series

Detective

1986

1 episode

 

The Comic Strip Presents (1982)

The Comic Strip Presents

7.8

TV Series

Nigel

1986

1 episode

 

In at the Bleep End (1985)

In at the Bleep End

Video

American

1985

 

Silas Marner (1985)

Silas Marner

7.3

TV Movie

Keating

1985

 

Spike Milligan in The Last Laugh Before TV-am (1985)

The Last Laugh Before TV-am

TV Movie

Various Characters

1985

 

Stephen Fry, Adrian Edmondson, Dawn French, and Jennifer Saunders in Happy Families (1985)

Happy Families

7.3

TV Series

Reporter

1985

1 episode

 

Saturday Live (1985)

Saturday Live

7.4

TV Series

Rudy Weiss (uncredited)

1985

1 episode

 

Play for Today (1970)

Play for Today

7.8

TV Series

Drinkwater

1982

1 episode

 

Bill Maynard in The Gaffer (1981)

The Gaffer

6.8

TV Series

Spencer Moffatt

1982

1 episode

 

The Queen Special (1980)

The Queen Special

7.5

TV Movie

Man Stirring Mud

1980

 

Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith, and Pamela Stephenson in Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979)

Not the Nine O'Clock News

7.9

TV Series

Various RolesVarious

1979

8 episodes

 

Phoelix

6.0

1979

 

John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, and Monty Python in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

Monty Python's Life of Brian

8.0

AlfonsoGiggling Guard

1979

 

Reginald Barratt, Richard Beckinsale, Freddie Fletcher, Bernard Hepton, Arthur Lowe, Brian Miller, Ron Moody, Jack Rosenthal, Liz Smith, and Paula Wilcox in ITV Playhouse (1967)

ITV Playhouse

7.2

TV Series

Tim

1978

1 episode

 

Sink or Swim

Short

1977

 

The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)

The Pink Panther Strikes Again

7.1

Police Driver (as Christopher Langham)

1976

 

Spike Milligan in Q5 (1969)

Q5

8.1

TV Series

Various Characters

1975

5 episodes

 

The Last Turkey in the Shop Show

TV Movie

Various Characters

1974

 

Spike Milligan in Milligan in... (1972)

Milligan in...

9.0

TV Series

Various Characters (as Christopher Langham)

1973

1 episode

 

Writer

Why Are We Creative: The Centipede's Dilemma (2018)

Why Are We Creative: The Centipede's Dilemma

6.7

writer: voice-over

2018

 

The Art of Football from A to Z (2006)

The Art of Football from A to Z

6.5

TV Movie

Writer

2006

 

The Smith & Jones Sketchbook (2006)

The Smith & Jones Sketchbook

6.9

TV Series

additional material

2006

2 episodes

 

Chris Langham and Paul Whitehouse in Help (2005)

Help

8.2

TV Series

written by

2005

6 episodes

 

Watch with Monkey

TV Series

writer

2003

 

Spine Chillers (2003)

Spine Chillers

6.7

TV Series

writer

2003

1 episode

 

Darren Boyd, Amanda Holden, Chris Langham, Cliff Parisi, and Caroline Quentin in Kiss Me Kate (1998)

Kiss Me Kate

6.9

TV Series

writerWriter

1998–2000

18 episodes

 

A Royal Birthday Celebration

7.6

TV Movie

additional material

1998

 

John Bird, Rory Bremner, and John Fortune in Bremner, Bird and Fortune (1997)

Bremner, Bird and Fortune

7.7

TV Series

writer

1997

 

Sardines (1995)

Sardines

5.8

TV Movie

Writer

1995

 

John Cleese, Chris Langham, and Hugh Laurie in Look at the State We're In! (1995)

Look at the State We're In!

6.6

TV Mini Series

writer

1995

4 episodes

 

It's the Muppets! Meet the Muppets! (1993)

It's the Muppets! Meet the Muppets!

8.5

Video

Writer

1993

 

It's the Muppets! More Muppets, Please! (1993)

It's the Muppets! More Muppets, Please!

8.6

Video

Writer

1993

 

MuppeTelevision (1987)

MuppeTelevision

8.1

TV Series

Writerwriter

1989–1990

9 episodes

 

Hollywood Dog (1990)

Hollywood Dog

4.7

TV Movie

teleplaystory

1990

 

Clive Anderson Talks Back (1989)

Clive Anderson Talks Back

7.1

TV Series

writer

1990

1 episode

 

Call from Space (1989)

Call from Space

5.9

Short

writer

1989

 

Childrens Songs and Stories with the Muppets (1985)

Childrens Songs and Stories with the Muppets

7.5

Video

Writer

1985

 

Fozzie's Muppet Scrapbook (1985)

Fozzie's Muppet Scrapbook

8.9

Video

Writer

1985

 

In at the Bleep End (1985)

In at the Bleep End

Video

Writer

1985

 

Jim Henson in Muppet Video: Country Music with the Muppets (1985)

Muppet Video: Country Music with the Muppets

8.2

Video

Writer

1985

 

Muppet Video: Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff (1985)

Muppet Video: Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff

8.3

Video

Writer

1985

 

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, and Richard Hunt in Muppet Video: Muppet Moments (1985)

Muppet Video: Muppet Moments

8.8

Video

Writer

1985

 

Muppet Video: Muppet Revue (1985)

Muppet Video: Muppet Revue

Video

Writer

1985

 

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, and Richard Hunt in Muppet Video: Muppet Treasures (1985)

Muppet Video: Muppet Treasures

8.7

Video

Writer

1985

 

Muppet Video: Rock Music with the Muppets (1985)

Muppet Video: Rock Music with the Muppets

8.2

Video

Writer

1985

 

Jim Henson in Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets (1985)

Muppet Video: Rowlf's Rhapsodies with the Muppets

8.2

Video

Writer

1985

 

Muppet Video: The Kermit and Piggy Story (1985)

Muppet Video: The Kermit and Piggy Story

8.1

Video

Writer

1985

 

Spitting Image (1984)

Spitting Image

7.4

TV Series

written by

1984

1 episode

 

Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith in Alas Smith & Jones (1984)

Alas Smith & Jones

7.4

TV Series

Writer

1984–1998

 

OTT (1982)

OTT

7.3

TV Series

additional material

1982

2 episodes

 

The Muppets Go to the Movies (1981)

The Muppets Go to the Movies

7.1

TV Movie

Writer

1981

 

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, and Steve Whitmire in The Muppet Show (1976)

The Muppet Show

8.4

TV Series

written by

1978–1981

48 episodes

 

Rowan Atkinson, Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith, and Pamela Stephenson in Not the Nine O'Clock News (1979)

Not the Nine O'Clock News

7.9

TV Series

written by

1979

6 episodes

 

Spike Milligan in Q5 (1969)

Q5

8.1

TV Series

additional material

1975

1 episode

 

The Last Turkey in the Shop Show

TV Movie

additional material

1974

 

Spike Milligan in Milligan in... (1972)

Milligan in...

9.0

TV Series

additional material (as Christopher Langham)

1973

1 episode

 

Producer

Chris Langham and Paul Whitehouse in Help (2005)

Help

8.2

TV Series

associate producer

2005

6 episodes

 

Tales from the Poop Deck (1992)

Tales from the Poop Deck

TV Series

producer

1992

6 episodes

 

Script and Continuity Department

Richard E. Grant and Arabella Weir in Posh Nosh (2003)

Posh Nosh

8.8

TV Series

script editor

2003

7 episodes

 

Sardines (1995)

Sardines

5.8

TV Movie

script editor

1995

 

Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith in Alas Smith & Jones (1984)

Alas Smith & Jones

7.4

TV Series

script editor

1984–1998

 

Soundtrack

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, and Steve Whitmire in The Muppet Show (1976)

The Muppet Show

8.4

TV Series

performer: "Hawaiian Cowboy"writer: "Hey Down"writer: "Gonzo's Song" (uncredited, uncredited, uncredited)

1979–1981

3 episodes

 

Director

Richard E. Grant and Arabella Weir in Posh Nosh (2003)

Posh Nosh

8.8

TV Series

Director

2003

7 episodes

 

Thanks

Jim Henson in A Muppet Family Christmas (1987)

A Muppet Family Christmas

8.1

TV Movie

the producers wish to thank

1987

 

The Queen Special (1980)

The Queen Special

7.5

TV Movie

the producers wish to thank

1980

 

Self

Shrink Rap (2007)

Shrink Rap

8.2

TV Series

Self

2008

1 episode

 

Jo Brand and Alan Yentob in Imagine (2003)

Imagine

7.6

TV Series

Self

2006

1 episode

 

Ian Hislop and Paul Merton in Have I Got News for You (1990)

Have I Got News for You

7.9

TV Series

Self - Guest Presenter

2005

2 episodes

 

Judy Finnigan and Richard Madeley in Richard & Judy (2001)

Richard & Judy

3.6

TV Series

Self

2005

1 episode

 

Back in the Day

7.9

TV Series

Self

2005

6 episodes

 

Julian Clary's Showbiz Hissy Fits (2005)

Favouritism

7.0

TV Series

Self

2005

1 episode

 

Matthew Wright in The Wright Stuff (2000)

The Wright Stuff

4.4

TV Series

Self - Guest Panelist

2005

1 episode

 

Gloria Hunniford in The Heaven and Earth Show (1998)

The Heaven and Earth Show

4.6

TV Series

Self

2003–2004

3 episodes

 

Why I Hate the 60s: The Decade That Was Too Good to Be True

6.3

TV Movie

Self - Narrator (voice)

2004

 

Call My Bluff (1996)

Call My Bluff

6.0

TV Series

Self

2003

2 episodes

 

I Love Muppets (2002)

I Love Muppets

8.0

TV Special

Self

2002

 

The British Comedy Awards 1997

TV Special

Self

1997

 

Secret Lives (1995)

Secret Lives

6.0

TV Series

Self - Narrator (voice)

1996

1 episode

 

The Good Sex Guide (1993)

The Good Sex Guide

6.5

TV Series

Self

1993–1994

2 episodes

 

Friday Night (1992)

Friday Night

TV Series

Self - Co-Host

1992–1993

2 episodes

 

Up Yer News (1990)

Up Yer News

TV Series

Self - Presenter

1990

1 episode

 

London Underground

7.6

TV Series

Self

1990

1 episode

 

Clive Anderson Talks Back (1989)

Clive Anderson Talks Back

7.1

TV Series

Self

1990

2 episodes

 

Stephen Fry, Clive Anderson, Josie Lawrence, Michael McShane, Paul Merton, Greg Proops, John Sessions, Tony Slattery, and Ryan Stiles in Whose Line Is It Anyway? (1988)

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

8.2

TV Series

Self

1990

1 episode

 

Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976)

The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball

6.7

TV Movie

Self

1989

 

Comedians Do It on Stage

TV Special

Self

1986

 

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

Self

1982

 

The Royal Variety Performance 1982 (1982)

The Royal Variety Performance 1982

4.4

TV Special

Self

1982

 

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982)

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball

6.6

SelfSelf - Various Roles

1982

 

London Night Out (1978)

London Night Out

TV Series

Self

1982

1 episode

 

Of Muppets and Men: The Making of 'The Muppet Show' (1981)

Of Muppets and Men: The Making of 'The Muppet Show'

8.1

TV Movie

Self

1981

 

Fundamental Frolics (1981)

Fundamental Frolics

5.9

Self

1981

 

Frank Oz, Jim Henson, Dave Goelz, Louise Gold, Richard Hunt, Kathryn Mullen, Jerry Nelson, and Steve Whitmire in The Muppet Show (1976)

The Muppet Show

8.4

TV Series

Self - Special Guest Star

1981

1 episode

 

The Mike Walsh Show (1969)

The Mike Walsh Show

6.9

TV Series

Self

1978

1 episode

 

The London Weekend Show (1973)

The London Weekend Show

TV Series

Self

1977

1 episode

 

Omnibus (1967)

Omnibus

7.2

TV Series

Self

1976

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Not Again: Not the Nine O'Clock News (2009)

Not Again: Not the Nine O'Clock News

7.6

TV Movie

Self - Various Roles (archive footage)

2009

 

The Secret Life of Brian (2007)

The Secret Life of Brian

7.6

TV Movie

Self - Giggling Guard (archive footage, uncredited)

2007

 

The Smith & Jones Sketchbook (2006)

The Smith & Jones Sketchbook

6.9

TV Series

Roman Messenger (archive footage)

2006

1 episode

 

Have I Got News for You: The Best of the Guest Presenters - Volume 2 (2005)

Have I Got News for You: The Best of the Guest Presenters - Volume 2

8.3

Video

Self (archive footage)

2005

 

Communicate!

TV Series

Self (archive footage, uncredited)

1980

1 episode