Jonathan Lynn
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- April 3, 1943 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK
- Active Years
- 1967–2025 (59 Years)
- Total Credits
- 68 credits in database
Biography
Jonathan Lynn, born 3 April 1943 in Bath, Somerset, England, is an English stage and film director, producer, writer and actor. He is male and is listed with 57 known credits on The Movie Database, where his primary role is identified as directing. Lynn’s directing work includes the comedy films Clue, Nuns on the Run, My Cousin Vinny and The Whole Nine Yards. In television he co‑created and co‑wrote the political satire series Yes Minister. The TMDB profile records his birth date and notes his age as 83 years. His professional profile is catalogued under the “Directing” category in the database.
Career overview
Jonathan Lynn, born on 3 April 1943 in Bath, Somerset, England, is an English stage and film director who has also worked as a producer, writer and actor. Over the course of his career he has accumulated more than fifty credited projects, with a total of fifty‑seven entries listed in a major film database. His directorial work is most closely associated with comedy, and he has helmed a number of well‑known feature films that have become staples of the genre.
Among the movies Lynn directed are the ensemble mystery comedy Clue, the crime‑capers Nuns on the Run and My Cousin Vinny, and the later ensemble caper The Whole Nine Yards. In addition to his film work, Lynn contributed to television as a co‑creator and co‑writer of the acclaimed political satire series Yes Minister. His career reflects a consistent focus on intelligent, character‑driven humor across both the big and small screens, establishing him as a prominent figure in British comedic directing.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
68 titles- Bruce Willis : les secrets d'une icône (2025) as Self
- Clue (2022) Writer
- Who Done It: The Clue Documentary (2022) as Self
- An Accidental Studio (2019) as Self
- Yes, Prime Minister (2013) Writer
- Yes, Prime Minister (2013) Director
- Yes, Prime Minister (2013) Producer
- Yes, Prime Minister (2013) Creator
- Wild Target (2010) Director
- He's Such a Girl (2009) Executive Producer
- Vanity Fair (2004) Executive Producer
- Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? (2004) as Self
- The Fighting Temptations (2003) Director
- The Whole Nine Yards (2000) Director
- The Unforgettable Leonard Rossiter (2000) as Self
- One Man Band (1999) as Tailor's Assistant
- Trial and Error (1997) Director
- Trial and Error (1997) Producer
- Sgt. Bilko (1996) Director
- Greedy (1994) as Douglas
- Greedy (1994) Director
- My Cousin Vinny (1992) Director
- The Distinguished Gentleman (1992) Director
- Ferris Bueller (1990) Director
- 3 Men and a Little Lady (1990) as Vicar Hewitt
- Nuns on the Run (1990) Director
- Nuns on the Run (1990) Screenplay
- Life After Life (1990) Writer
- Suspicion (1987) Writer
- Yes, Prime Minister (1986) Writer
- Yes, Prime Minister (1986) Creator
- Clue (1985) Director
- Clue (1985) Story
- Clue (1985) Screenplay
- Into the Night (1985) as Tailor
- Diana (1984) as Twining
- Twee handen op een buik (1984) Theatre Play
- Arms and the Man (1983) Director
- American Playhouse (1982) as Gordon Cochrane 'Beaky' Thwaite
- American Playhouse (1982) Teleplay
- Outside Edge (1982) as Kevin
- The Funny Side of Christmas (1982) Writer
- Yes Minister (1980) Writer
- Yes Minister (1980) Creator
- Breaking Glass (1980) as Radio DJ
- Question Time (1979) as Himself - Panellist
- The Knowledge (1979) as Ted Margolies
- She Fell Among Thieves (1978) as Gaston
- Dinner at the Sporting Club (1978) as Cyril Benson
- BBC2 Play of the Week (1977) as Gaston
- Pleasure at Her Majesty's (1976) as Self
- Bar Mitzvah Boy (1976) as Harold
- The Good Life (1975) as Window Cleaner
- My Brother's Keeper (1975)
- The Internecine Project (1974) Screenplay
- Romance with a Double Bass (1974) as Leader of the Orchestra
- Romany Jones (1972) Writer
- Doctor in Charge (1972) as Danny Hooley
- Colditz (1972) as Bergman
- The House That Dripped Blood (1971)
- Rumour (1970)
- On the Buses (1969) Writer
- Doctor in the House (1969)
- The Merchant of Venice (1969) as Tubal
- Nearest and Dearest (1968) Writer
- The Jazz Age (1968) as Harry Plant
- Prudence and the Pill (1968) as Chemist's Assistant
- Twice a Fortnight (1967)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jonathan Lynn best known for?
Jonathan Lynn is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Who Done It: The Clue Documentary (2022), Wild Target (2010), Vanity Fair (2004), The Whole Nine Yards (2000).
When and where was Jonathan Lynn born?
Jonathan Lynn was born on April 3, 1943 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.
How many credits does Jonathan Lynn have?
Jonathan Lynn has accumulated over 68 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1967 to 2025.
What is Jonathan Lynn's background in cinema and television?
Jonathan Lynn, born 3 April 1943 in Bath, Somerset, England, is an English stage and film director, producer, writer and actor. He is male and is listed with 57 known credits on The Movie Database, where his primary role is identified as directing. Lynn’s directing work includes the comedy films Clue, Nuns on the Run, ...
Jonathan Lynn by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Good Life (1975) as Window Cleaner — aged about 32
- Colditz (1972) as Bergman — aged about 29
- BBC2 Play of the Week (1977) as Gaston — aged about 34
- American Playhouse (1982) as Gordon Cochrane 'Beaky' Thwaite — aged about 39
- Into the Night (1985) as Tailor — aged about 42
- The House That Dripped Blood (1971) — aged about 28
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