Barnaby Thompson

Early life and education

Thompson was born in London to parents who both worked in radio. He went to St. Paul's School and graduated from Oxford University with a degree in theology and philosophy.

Career

A graduate of Oxford University, Thompson began his career in documentary filmmaking including the 1990 short film Dear Rosie which received Academy Award and BAFTA nominations. In the early 1990s, he joined Lorne Michaels at Broadway Video in New York, where he co-produced several major American comedies, including Wayne’s World, Coneheads, and Tommy Boy.{{cite news |url=https://www.screendaily.com/ealing-hands/5016546.article |title= Ealing hands |work=Screen Daily |date=5 August 2020 |first=Geoffrey |last=MacNab}}

Upon returning to the United Kingdom, Thompson co-founded Fragile Films with Uri Fruchtmann in 1996 and produced the global commercial success Spice World. His subsequent work included adaptations such as the BAFTA-nominated An Ideal Husband and Kevin & Perry Go Large.

In 2000, he led a consortium to purchase the historic Ealing Studios, serving as its Head of Studios for 14 years and overseeing its modernization. During this tenure, he co-directed the rebooted St Trinian’s franchise, which became one of the highest-grossing independent British film series. His more recent credits include directing the 2020 feature Pixie as well as the 2024 documentary Mad About the Boy: The Noel Coward Story.

Personal life

Thompson has been married to American writer Christina Robert since 1991. They have two children.

Selected Filmography

References

References

1. Sweeney, Mark. (23 June 2025). "How historic Ealing Studios is hoping to regain ground with £20m revamp". The Guardian.
2. "The London Comedy Writers Festival".
3. (1991). "The 63rd Academy Awards - 1991". Oscars.org.
4. Rose, Ian. (27 July 2007). "The revival of Ealing Studios". BBC News.
5. (2 February 1991). "Christina Robert, Producer, Is Wed". [[The New York Times]].
6. (2025). "Thompson, Barnaby David Waterhouse".