Mackenzie Crook is an English actor, writer, and director who was born on September 29, 1971, in Maidstone, Kent, England. He is best known for his roles as Gareth Keenan in the BBC sitcom “The Office” and as Ragetti in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series.
Crook began his career as a stand-up comedian before transitioning to acting. He landed his breakthrough role in 2001 when he was cast as Gareth Keenan in the hit BBC sitcom “The Office.” His portrayal of the awkward and uptight office worker earned him critical acclaim and a BAFTA nomination for Best Comedy Performance.
His famous role as Gareth Keenan
Gareth is the assistant to the general manager at the Slough branch of Wernham Hogg paper merchants, where the show is set.
Gareth is known for his rigid adherence to rules and procedures, his inflated sense of self-importance, and his generally unpleasant personality. He frequently clashes with his colleague Tim Canterbury, who he sees as a threat to his authority.
Despite his abrasive personality, Gareth is also shown to be quite lonely and insecure, and is desperate for the approval of his boss, David Brent. He is also shown to have a number of eccentric interests, such as medieval re-enactment and martial arts.
Crook’s performance as Gareth was widely praised by critics, with many noting his ability to bring depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. His portrayal of Gareth helped to make “The Office” one of the most beloved and influential comedies of its era.
In addition to his work on “The Office,” Crook has also appeared in numerous other TV shows and films, including “Game of Thrones,” “Detectorists,” “Almost Human,” “Sons of Liberty,” “One Rogue Reporter,” and “The Adventures of Tintin.”
Crook has also written and directed several projects. He wrote and directed the 2017 BBC Four comedy-drama “Detectorists,” which starred Crook and Toby Jones as metal detectorists searching for treasure in rural England. The show was critically acclaimed and won a BAFTA for Best Scripted Comedy. He also wrote and directed the 2020 horror film “The Pale Horse,” based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name.
Crook is also a published author, having written and illustrated a children’s book series called “The Windvale Sprites.”
In his personal life, Crook has been married to his wife, Lindsay Crook, since 2001. They have two children together. He is known to be a private person and has not shared much about his personal life in the media.
Here are a few quotes about Mackenzie Crook from some well-known figures in the entertainment industry:
“Mackenzie Crook is a force of nature.” – Ricky Gervais (creator and star of “The Office”)
“Mackenzie is a wonderful actor. He’s so precise and controlled, yet completely unpredictable.” – Johnny Depp (Crook’s co-star in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies)
“Mackenzie Crook is the kind of actor that casting directors dream of discovering.” – Stephen Frears (director of “Dirty Pretty Things” and “The Queen”)
“Mackenzie Crook is one of the most gifted actors I’ve ever worked with. He brings a depth and complexity to every role he plays.” – Peter Capaldi (Crook’s co-star in “The Personal History of David Copperfield”)
“Mackenzie Crook is a genius. I can’t think of anyone who could have played the role of Gareth better.” – Martin Freeman (Crook’s co-star in “The Office”)