Addison Cresswell

Addison Lee Cresswell (28 June 1960 – 23 December 2013) was a British comedy talent agent and producer.
He was notable for finding many stand-up "alternative" comedians at venues such as the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, promoting them and finding spots for them on television and radio over a 30-year period from the 1980s. He has been called "one of the most influential people in British comedy".

Cresswell was born in Kensington, London. His father, Peter Cresswell, was the dean of arts at Goldsmiths College, University of London. His younger brother, Luke, became a founder of the dance and percussion group Stomp. He was educated at St Luke's Primary School (Brighton), Longhill High School (Rottingdean), and Brighton Polytechnic, where he studied graphic design and was the student entertainments officer.

As Ents Officer at Brighton Polytechnic, he booked bands such as U2, Killing Joke, Joy Division, New Order and Madness.

He founded 'The Comedy Boom' with club promoter and comedian Ivor Dembina in Edinburgh in 1987.It was the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's first venue for Stand-Up Comedy. The performance poet and comedian John Hegley was Cresswell's first client. He founded a production company called Wonderdog with Paul Merton and Julian Clary who he had met at 'The Comedy Boom'. His client list went on to include: Jonathan Ross, Lee Evans, Michael McIntyre, Alan Carr, Kevin Bridges and Rich Hall. He was behind Live at the Apollo, which was hosted by Michael McIntyre and Stand Up for the Week on Channel 4 Television from 2010.

He founded and ran the Off the Kerb talent agency which has a television division called 'Open Mike Productions'. He organised the Channel 4 Comedy Gala annually in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Cresswell died of a heart attack on 23 December 2013 at the age of 53; Cresswell is survived by his wife, Shelley.