David Frost Biography and Photos

Sir David Paradine Frost, OBE (born 7 April 1939) is an English satirist, writer, journalist and television presenter, best known as a pioneer of political satire on television and for his serious interviews of political figures. As of 2009, he hosts the weekly programme Frost Over The World, on Al Jazeera English.

David Frost was born at Tenterden, Kent, the son of a Methodist minister, the Rev. W.J. Paradine Frost. In his youth he started training as a Methodist Local Preacher but did not complete. He attended Barnsole Road Primary School in Gillingham, Kent, then Gillingham Grammar School and finally Wellingborough Grammar School. He subsequently won a place at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated with a First in English. He had turned down a contract with Nottingham Forest Football Club to attend university.

At Cambridge, he edited the student newspaper, Varsity, and the literary magazine, Granta. He was also secretary of the famous Footlights drama society, which included actors such as Peter Cook and John Bird.

After leaving university, he became a trainee at Associated-Rediffusion and worked for Anglia Television. At the same time, he kept up his cabaret performances.

He is married to Lady Carina née Stapleton-Fitzalan-Howard, a daughter of the 17th Duke of Norfolk. He was previously married (1981-82) to Lynne Frederick, widow of Peter Sellers. He was also engaged to American actress Diahann Carroll in the early 1970s. In 1993, Frost was honoured with a knighthood.

Originally a play by Peter Morgan that was developed from a series of interviews, Frost/Nixon was presented both in London and on Broadway. The play was adapted into a motion picture, starring Michael Sheen as David Frost, Frank Langella as Richard Nixon, directed by Ron Howard, and released in 2008. Frost/Nixon has been nominated for 5 Golden Globe awards: Best Motion Picture Drama, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score, as well as 5 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing.