One of four stars of the London and New York revues Beyond the Fringe and Beyond the Fringe (with Jonathan Miller, Alan Bennett, and Dudley Moore). Later created scatological comedy routine "Derek & Clive" with Moore.


He was one of five comedians pictured on a set of UK postage stamps issued 23 April 1998. His caricatured likeness was on the 63p stamp. The other comedians honored were Tommy Cooper (20p), Eric Morecambe (26p), Joyce Grenfell (37p), and Les Dawson (43p). Was a member of the prestigious Cambridge University Footlights Club and, later, became President of the Footlights Club. Father was a diplomat. Had two daughters with his first wife, Wendy Snowden: Lucy, born in 1964, and Daisy born in 1965. Daisy is an artist. He had his daughter Lucy appear in a sketch for Not Only, But Also during the 3rd episode of the series. Lucy was an infant at the time. The segment was "Incidents in the Life of my Uncle Arly" (an Edward Lear poem). He and his third wife Lin lived in separate homes 100 yards apart in Hampstead. Has won two Special Tony Awards: in 1963, along with his "Beyond the Fringe" co-stars Alan Bennett, Jonathan Miller and Dudley Moore, "for their brilliance which has shattered all the old concepts of comedy," in a show that was recreated in a television version of the same title, Beyond the Fringe (1964) (TV); and in 1974, shared with co-author and co-star Dudley Moore for their show "Good Evening."