Christopher Guest Biography

Born in New York City, Christopher Guest, a multi-talented actor, director, screenwriter and composer, is a graduate of the New York City High School of Music and Arts. After completing his degree at Bard College, Christopher made his Broadway debut in the 1970 revival of Room Service. He later co-starred in Moonchildren before signing on with National Lampoon as a writer and performer.

Christopher later starred in a string of made-for-TV films including Blind Ambition, The Long Riders (with younger brother Nicholas), and Rob Reiner's Million Dollar Infield. The latter project led to further roles under Reiner's direction in the hilarious mockumentary This is Spinal Tap (1984) and the cult classic The Princess Bride (1987).

Christopher made his directorial debut with The Big Picture (1989), a Hollywood satire with a stellar cast that included Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Jason Leigh, John Cleese, Teri Hatcher, and J.T. Walsh, just to name a few.

Christopher became best known for pioneering the improvised mockumentary comedy format with acclaimed films such as Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), and A Mighty Wind (2003). For A Mighty Wind, he won a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, a Grammy for Best Song, and a Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Ensemble Cast, as well as a Comedy Film Honor for Best Director from the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival.

In recent years, Christopher returned to directing with Mascots (2016) for Netflix, a mockumentary centered around competitive sports mascots, and has made appearances in projects like Family Tree (2013) and voice roles in animated films. Christopher will be reviving his role as Nigel Tufnel in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025).

Beyond the screen, Christopher and his wife, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, became Baron and Baroness Haden-Guest in July 1997 following the death of his father, making him the 5th Baron Haden-Guest in the British peerage.

Filmography (Director):

Loudon Wainwright III: Surviving Twin (2018)
Mascots (2016)
The Thick of It (2007)
For Your Consideration (2006)
A Mighty Wind (2003)
Best in Show (2000)
Almost Heroes (1998)
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1993)
The Big Picture (1989)

Filmography (Actor):

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025)
Mascots (2016)
Family Tree (2013)
For Your Consideration (2006)
A Mighty Wind (2003)
Best in Show (2000)
Almost Heroes (1998)
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Small Soldiers (1998)
Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman (1993)
Princess Bride (1987)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Million Dollar Infield (1982)
The Long Riders (1980)
Blind Ambition (1979)
Girlfriends (1978)
The Billion Dollar Bubble (1978)
Shame of the Jungle (1975)
The Fortune (1975)
Death Wish (1974)
National Lampoon: Lemmings (1973)
The Hot Rock (1972)
The Hospital (1971)
Room Service (1970)