Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest (born February 5, 1948 in New York City), known as Christopher Guest, is an Anglo-American actor, writer, director, composer, and musician.

He is best known for his portrayal of Nigel Tufnel in the mockumentary movie This is Spinal Tap, and his time as a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live (1984-1985). Guest made his first appearance as Tufnel on the 1980 album Lenny and the Squigtones by "Lenny and Squiggy"' (comedians Michael McKean and David Lander).

He went on to write, act in, and direct several other heavily improvised mockumentaries:

• Waiting for Guffman (1996) - as Corky St. Clair
• Best in Show (2000) - as Harlan Pepper
• A Mighty Wind (2003) - as Alan Barrows

He also appeared as Count Rugen in The Princess Bride.

In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, he was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

Personal life

Guest married Jamie Lee Curtis in 1984. They have two children: Anne (born 1986) and Thomas (born March 1996 ).

Guest became the 5th Baron Haden-Guest, of Saling in the County of Essex, when his father died in 1996. According to an article in The Guardian, Guest attended regularly until the passage of the House of Lords Act 1999 barred most heriditary peers from their seats. In the article Guest remarked, "There's no question that the old system was unfair. I mean, why should you be born to this? But now it's all just sheer cronyism. The Prime Minister can put in whoever he wants and bus them in to vote. The upper house should be an elected body, it's that simple." Despite this, Guest did not disclaim his peerage.

External links

• Interview for release of A Mighty Wind