Gary Kemp
Born: 1959-10-16 in Islington, London, England, UK
Known For: Acting
Biography
Gary Kemp was born in Islington, London in October 1959. On his 10th birthday, he got his first guitar from his parents. In the 70s, he and his younger brother, Martin Kemp, went to learn drama at Anna Scher's acting school. Then, in 1978, Gary Kemp formed "The Makers". After Richard Miller left, his brother replaced him on bass. That's when Gary changed the name to Spandau Ballet. Spandau's break came in March 1980 when they were filmed for a documentary on ITV. When the documentary was broadcast, the record companies were bursting out of their ears. They chose to sign to Chrysalis, as they were offered the most money. For 10 years, they had hits like "To Cut a Long Story Short" (1980), "Chant No. 1 (I don't need this pressure on)" (1981), "True" (1983), "Gold" (1983), "Only When You Leave" (1984) and "Through the Barricades" (1986). After Spandau Ballet completed a tour in 1987, Gary and Martin decided to go into acting once again. They auditioned for the part in The Krays (1990) and, in 1989, they played "Ronald" and "Reggie". Soon afterwards this, Spandau Ballet would split. During the '90s, Gary continued to act, most notably playing a part in The Bodyguard (1992). In 1999, Gary was involved in a court battle over £1,000,000 royalties against John Keeble, Steve Norman and Tony Hadley, his 3 other bandmates. Gary won the case. However, in March 2009, all 5 members of Spandau Ballet called a truce, and they announced on the HMS Belfast in London that they would be reuniting for a world tour later in the year.
Filmography
2025
- Bowie: The Final Act as Self
- Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World as Self
- I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol as Self
2024
- The Making of Do They Know It's Christmas? as Self
- Beyond The Alps as Gary
2023
- The Kemps: All Gold as Self
2022
2020
- TV Story Superstar as Self (archive footage)
- Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets - Live At The Roundhouse as Self - Guitar, vocals
- The Kemps: All True as Self
2015
- Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism as Cregg
- Assassin as John Alberts
- Spandau Ballet - LIVE at Wiltern Theatre as Self
2014
- Spandau Ballet: True Gold as Self
- Soul Boys of the Western World as Self - Guitar, Spandau Ballet
2013
- Art Is... as Collector
2012
2011
2010
- The Rapture as Professor Anderson
- Spandau Ballet: The Reformation Tour 2009 - Live at the O2 as Self
2009
- O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar as Self (archive footage)
2008
2007
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show as Self
2006
- The One Show as Self
2005
- Girls and Boys - Sex and British Pop as Self
- African Megaflyover as Narrator
2003
- Murder Investigation Team as Dennis McKay
2001
- Murder in Mind as Jamie Holt
- Dog Eat Dog as Jesus
- The New Romantics: A Fine Romance as Self
1999
- Where Are They Now? as Self
1995
- Take Out the Beast as Fox
1994
- Magic Hunter as Max
1993
- Killing Zoe as Oliver
- The Big Story as Self - Ronnie Kray (archive footage)
1992
- The Larry Sanders Show as Jake Woodward
- Later... with Jools Holland as Self
- The Bodyguard as Sy Spector
- Ice Pawn as Misha Orlov
- Paper Marriage as Aiden Carey
1990
- The Krays as Ronald Kray
- Spandau Ballet: Live from the N.E.C. as Self
1986
- Casualty as Matthew Merriman
- Spandau Ballet - Live from the N.E.C. as Self
1985
- Live Aid as Self
- Friday People
1982
- Wogan as Self
- Champs-Elysées as Self - Spandau Ballet
1977
- The BRIT Awards as Self
1972
- Hide and Seek as Chris
1971
- Never Go with Strangers as Pete