Laurence Marks

Full name: Laurence Marks Wikipedia+2Borthwick Institute for Archives+2
Born: 8 December 1948, Islington (London), England IMDb+2Wikipedia+2
Nationality: British Wikipedia+1
Education: Attended Holloway County Grammar School (later Holloway Comprehensive) in London. Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

Early Life & Career Before Television

• He grew up in London, in a Jewish family. Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

• Before becoming a full-time comedy writer, Marks worked as a journalist, including at the Tottenham Weekly Herald and later as a freelance journalist. Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

• A pivotal personal event: in 1975, his father, Bernard Marks, was among the victims of the Moorgate tube crash. Laurence was assigned to report on it for the paper — later, he made a documentary, Me, My Dad and Moorgate, in 2006, re-examining the inquest. Borthwick Institute for Archives+2Wikipedia+2

Partnership: Marks & Gran

• Laurence Marks’ long-term writing partner is Maurice Gran. Their collaboration is central to his career. Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

• They began working together after meeting at a Jewish youth club in Finsbury Park in the 1960s. Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

Television & Stage Work

Major TV works:

Some of the more famous shows by Marks & Gran include:

• Shine on Harvey Moon (1982-85, revived in 1995) Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

• The New Statesman (1987-92) IMDb+2Wikipedia+2

• Birds of a Feather (1989-98; revived later) IMDb+2Wikipedia+2

• Goodnight Sweetheart (1993-99; later revivals) IMDb+2Wikipedia+2

Other works & contributions:

• Stage / theatre musicals: Dreamboats and Petticoats, Love Me Do, Save the Last Dance for Me, Playing God, etc. Wikipedia+1

• Documentaries and serious drama: Mosley (mini-series about Oswald Mosley), Wall of Silence, etc. Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

• He wrote a book A Fan for All Seasons (1999), reflecting on his life as a writer and as an Arsenal supporter. Wikipedia

Style, Recognition & Later Career

• Known for combining political satire, social commentary and comedy. Many of their sitcoms have strong roots in British society & politics. Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

• Awards: Among other honours, Marks & Gran have been recognized with BAFTAs (for The New Statesman etc.). Borthwick Institute for Archives+1

• He and Gran also founded their production company Alomo Productions in 1989. Borthwick Institute for Archives

• He has worked as a lecturer / in educational roles in scriptwriting, e.g. student workshops. Borthwick Institute for Archives