Get to know award-winning British actor and comedian James Corden. Monday CBS announced he'll slide into Craig Ferguson's seat on "The Late Late Show" following a string of late-night-host shake-ups this year.
In August, The Wrap speculated Corden would take over, but now CBS' Chair of Entertainment Nina Tassler says it's official. She referred to the actor as the "ultimate multi-hyphenate" and said:
"James Corden is a rare entertainment force who combines irresistible charm, warmth and originality with a diverse range of creative instincts and performance talent."
In the U.S., 36-year-old Corden is best known for his performance on Broadway in "One Man, Two Guvnors," which won him a Tony award. (Video via Broadway.com)
He is also well-known throughout his home country and has hosting experience presiding over TV events such as pop music's Brit Awards.
He's no stranger to American screens, either. U.S. audiences might have seen him in the 2013 movie "Begin Again" with Keira Knightley or the Hulu comedy series "The Wrong Mans."
But Corden's lengthy resume aside, The New York Times seemed to think CBS overlooked the potential pool of hosts. In his own words, media writer Bill Carter said CBS made this kind of statement:
"Nothing mattered more than finding a standout talent for the 12:35 a.m. show; not the fact that Mr. Corden is a virtual unknown in the United States, nor that CBS has again passed over every female comic in the business to add another man to the long roster of late-night stars. (The current tally: 12 men, zero women.)"
The Los Angeles Times, among others, reported Joel McHale, Neil Patrick Harris and Aisha Tyler were all rumored to be in the running for the late, late spot.
Hollywood Reporter called the move "anything but conventional" but was impressed by Corden's U.K. following on social media. In an interview with Tassler, the magazine asked if an "untested" Corden was a potential risk. Her response:
"I think that in this day and age, audiences like to be a part of the discovery process. And once they begin to seek out his content on their own, they're going to love what they see."
Corden will take over for Ferguson as he steps down in December. This summer CBS also announced Comedy Central comedian Stephen Colbert will be taking over David Letterman's tenure on "The Late Show" after Letterman's 21 years as the host. Colbert's start time has not been announced.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
