Born into a large Irish Catholic family, Coogan started out as a stand-up comic and mimic, whilst working in Ipswich, as well as doing voice-over work for adverts and impressions on Spitting Image. In 1988, he did impressions of Prince Charles which featured on the Urban label release "Don't Believe The Hype" by Acid House artist Mista E. The impressions were also used as jingles in 1988/89 on the Radio 1 FM Friday night dance music show Jeff Young's Big Beat. He also acted on the observation round on The Krypton Factor in 1989.Coogan is one of nine children. He was born and raised in Middleton, Greater Manchester. One of his brothers, Brendan, is a former Top Gear presenter, and another, Martin, was the lead singer of the early 1990s band The Mock Turtles. All the brothers attended the Cardinal Langley RC High School.
A favourite of the British tabloids, Coogan's personal life has made headlines since the early 1990s. In August 2005, the News of the World stated that rock star Courtney Love had claimed to be pregnant with Coogan's child, following a two-week long fling the pair allegedly had while staying at the same hotel, although this claim has been dismissed by both parties. The news came a month after Coogan had divorced his wife, Caroline Hickman, (whom he married in 2002) on the grounds that the marriage had irretrievably broken down. He has a daughter, Clare, from a previous relationship with Anna Cole. He is dating China Chow.
Coogan has a few other relatives who are also involved in the arts in Britain and America. One of which is associated with the West-End London theater and another who does freelance singing and acting in and around Chicago.
On the commentary for Season 2 of "I'm Alan Partridge", Coogan states that he is a socialist who enjoys paying taxes, whilst discussing the eponymous character's investigation by the Inland Revenue.
Owen Wilson controversy
In August 2007, the New York Post wrote that Coogan was being "blamed" in a story following Owen Wilson's suicide attempts for allegedly supplying the actor with hard drugs. Courtney Love said after Wilson's failed attempts, "I was just out of rehab, and he was right there with the drugs. I tried to warn Owen. I tried to warn his friends. I hope from the bottom of my heart that Owen stays the hell away from that guy." Steve Coogan responded through Access Hollywood, denying Love's accusations and offering support to Wilson. "My thoughts are with my friend Owen at this difficult time, but I do want to set the record straight and say that the allegations...are completely and utterly false," he said.
Comments