Felix Dexter
A pioneering Black British comic whose sharp, character-driven humor carved a unique space in UK television and inspired a generation of performers.
1961–2013 (age 52)·British actor and comedian·Birthday: July 26·Baby Boomers
Biography
Born in Saint Kitts and raised in London, Felix Dexter arrived on the comedy scene with a quiet force, becoming a foundational figure in the 1990s wave of Black British talent. He was a core member of the groundbreaking BBC sketch show 'The Real McCoy,' where his gift for mimicry and creating vivid, often satirical characters shone. Dexter’s career was a tapestry of performance, moving seamlessly from stand-up to acclaimed radio series like 'The Lenny Henry Show' and memorable television roles in 'Absolutely Fabulous' and 'The Crouches.' His work, characterized by its intelligence and warmth, never shouted but always resonated, offering a nuanced portrayal of the Black British experience that was both specific and universally funny. His untimely death in 2013 left a distinct void in the cultural landscape.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Felix was born in 1961, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Felix Was Born
The biggest hits of 1961
#1 Movie
101 Dalmatians
Best Picture
West Side Story
#1 TV Show
Wagon Train
Felix's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1961Born
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1966Started school
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1974Became a teenager
Nixon resigns the presidency
Gas: $0.53/galHome: $22,600Min wage: $2.00/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"The Way We Were" — Barbra StreisandBest Picture: The Godfather Part II
1977Could drive
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1979Could vote
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Turned 21
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1991Turned 30
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
2001Turned 40
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 50
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Died at 52
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
Key Achievements
- Was a core cast member and writer on the seminal BBC sketch series 'The Real McCoy,' which launched numerous Black British comedy careers.
- Created and starred in the BBC Radio 4 series 'The Lenny Henry Show,' showcasing his talent for character comedy and voice work.
- Appeared in a significant recurring role as a client in the hit BBC sitcom 'Absolutely Fabulous.'
- Performed a one-man show, 'Felix Dexter's Massive Attack,' at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Did You Know?
He originally trained and worked as a barrister before pursuing comedy full-time.
Dexter was a talented impressionist, with his take on Nelson Mandela being particularly noted.
He was posthumously awarded the 'Outstanding Achievement in Comedy' award at the 2014 Black International Film Festival.
“I just wanted to show us as we are, in all our shades.”
