A graduate of New York City’s High School of Music and Arts and Bard College, Christopher Guest grew up idolizing the comedy of Peter Sellers, particularly his many turns as Inspector Clouseau in the Pink Panther movies. Guest made his Broadway debut in 1970 in a revival of Room Service and two years later he co-starred in Moonchildren. Today, Guest’s early acting accomplishments have been obscured in light of his extensive work for National Lampoon during the 1970’s. He wrote several articles for the magazine and was a writer/performer for the Lampoon’s radio programs, record albums and stage reviews. He also wrote for Lily Tomlin and shared an Emmy award with her in 1976 for one of her landmark TV specials.

Guest’s big break came in 1983 with the release of the satirical film classic This is Spinal Tap – the wicked parody of an English heavy metal band on the way down. Guest not only penned the script but also brilliantly played Spinal Tap lead guitarist Nigel Tufnel – the musician whose amplifier goes not just to ten, but eleven! Guest has since parlayed his Spinal Tap association into something of a second career, touring with fellow "Tap" member Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, composing many of the group’s songs and releasing a second mockumentary in 1992.

Guest followed Spinal Tap with a choice role in another Rob Reiner movie The Princess Bride, playing the evil Count Rubin. He was also a regular Saturday Night Live during the 1984-85 season, part of the cast that included Martin Short and Billy Crystal which saved the show from certain cancellation.

Guest made his directorial debut in the Hollywood satire The Big Picture (1989) and also took the helm for the made for TV movie remake of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1993). He also kept his acting chops in shape with a role in A Few Good Men (1992). In 1996, Guest reunited with Tap alumni McKean and Shearer for the musical numbers for the critically praised comedy Waiting For Guffman. Guest also directed Chris Farley’s last picture Almost Heroes (1998) but couldn’t resist his urges for parody for long as evidenced in his hit movie from 2000 Best in Show.

Tackling the world of Championship Dog Shows, Best in Show brought together a number of Guest’s Waiting for Guffman cast members including SCTV alums Eugene Levy and Catherine O’Hara, as well as Fred Willard and Michael McKean, all gifted improvisational comedians who managed to create last year’s sleeper movie hit. One can only hope Guest has more of these mockumentaries up his sleeve.

Credit: olywa.net