2/5 – Happy Birthday, Christopher Guest

When the gods of music and comedy merge, Christopher Guest becomes their mavin. This performer gave us Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap, the greatest ‘mocumentary' about a heavy metal band.  He was the guitarist who had amps that go to ‘eleven' and had guitars with infinite sustain.

This Rob Reiner-directed film is considered one of the best comedies ever made. Christopher turned this one time gig into a career with the fictional band that has included sequels and recordings.

Lately, Christopher has been working with the same ensemble in a number of improvisational films such as Best in Show, A Mighty Wind and For Your Consideration.

Fun Fact:  Christopher Guest is also The Lord Haden-Guest AKA Baron Guest.  He holds a British Peerage with The House of Lords.  That means is wife Jamie Lee Curtis is Baroness Guest.  It is not often one sees a topless Baroness in the movie Trading Places.

Christopher Guest writes and plays hilarious characters, but he is famously normal in his every day life.

And reportedly very hard to interview, but we'll let you decide for yourself after seeing this.

a quick-cut of bits from various interview that show Christopher Guest at his likeably snarky best