Colin Mochrie Bio
Colin Andrew Mochrie (born November 30, 1957) is a Scottish-born Canadian actor and improvisational comedian best known for his long-running appearances on the British and American versions of the improvisational television show Whose Line Is It Anyway? He is a veteran of stage improv and sketch theatre and has worked extensively in Canadian television, film, and live performance.
Mochrie developed a reputation for dry timing, quick character work, and collaborative stage play. He has co-written and co-produced Canadian sitcoms with his wife, Canadian actress Debra McGrath, and his work has earned multiple Canadian Comedy Awards, a Gemini Award, and a Writers Guild of Canada award.
Early Life and Background
Colin Andrew Mochrie was born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, and emigrated with his family to Canada in 1964. His family first settled near Montreal before moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, where he grew up as the oldest of three children and where his early interest in performance eventually took shape.
Mochrie attended Killarney Secondary School and, after graduating as valedictorian, enrolled at Studio 58 at Langara College for three years. At Studio 58 he discovered improvisational comedy and soon after joined the Vancouver TheatreSports League, where he began performing improvisation professionally.
Path to Celebrity
Mochrie built his early career in Vancouver with the TheatreSports League, meeting fellow improviser Ryan Stiles during that period. Following Expo 86 he moved to Toronto and joined The Second City comedy troupe, performing with the national touring company and meeting Debra McGrath, who was then a director with the company.
During his Second City years Mochrie co-wrote and starred in productions and directed seasons of the touring company. His stage work and touring performances established his profile in Canadian comedy and led to television opportunities and recurring collaborations with other improvisers.
Colin Mochrie Career
Early Career (1977–1988)
Mochrie’s professional career began in the late 1970s and moved into improvisational theatre in the early 1980s when he joined the Vancouver TheatreSports League. He honed short-form improv games and sketch work and became known locally for his dry delivery and strong ensemble instincts.
After relocating to Toronto, Mochrie worked with The Second City National Touring Company, co-writing and starring in multiple productions and serving as a director for the touring company. His stage experience provided a foundation for television appearances and commercial work across Canada.
Breakthrough (1988–2006)
Mochrie first auditioned for the Channel 4 British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1989 and, after an initial period of setbacks, became a regular on the UK series. He spent seven years as a regular cast member on the British show and developed many of the crowd-favorite characters and bits that defined his public persona.
Following the end of the UK run in 1998, Mochrie joined the American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? hosted by Drew Carey and appeared on every episode from the series debut in August 1998 through the ABC finale in 2006. His partnership with fellow improviser Ryan Stiles and frequent collaborations with performers such as Brad Sherwood became a career hallmark during this period.
Outside Whose Line, Mochrie expanded into Canadian television roles, co-starring in series such as Blackfly and appearing on This Hour Has 22 Minutes from 2001 through 2003. He also hosted and appeared on game shows, variety specials, and numerous commercials, becoming a familiar face in Canadian media.
Notable Works and Milestones
Mochrie’s signature work remains his long association with both the British and American versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway? He co-created and performed in touring two-man shows with Brad Sherwood beginning in 2002, released a DVD of their performances, and continued to tour internationally. Mochrie has also co-written and co-produced Canadian sitcoms with Debra McGrath, including Getting Along Famously and She’s the Mayor, and has performed in televised special events and charity appearances.
Colin Mochrie Award Nominations
Mochrie’s career has attracted nominations across Canadian comedy award programs and television honors. He has been nominated multiple times for Canadian Comedy Awards and received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Lead Performance in a Web Program or Series for his work on the Mass Hysterical webcast project, reflecting both live and recorded work in his later career.
Colin Mochrie Awards Won
Mochrie has won multiple awards recognizing his contributions to comedy and television. His honors include Canadian Comedy Awards, among them being named Canadian Comedy Person of the Year in 2013, a Gemini Award for work on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, and a Writers Guild of Canada award for writing on that series.
Colin Mochrie Family
Mochrie has been married to Canadian actress Debra McGrath since January 8, 1989. The couple have one daughter, Kinley Mochrie, born in 1990. He is related by marriage to Canadian actor Munro Chambers, who is a nephew-in-law.
Personal Life
Mochrie lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with his wife. He has been publicly supportive of his daughter Kinley, and in 2017 he revealed, with Kinley’s permission, that she is transgender; Mochrie has addressed online harassment directed at his family and has used public appearances to support inclusivity.
Beyond stage and television work, Mochrie has been active in live improv tours, collaborative stage events such as Hyprov, and special projects that combine music and comedy. He has continued to perform in television revivals, guest roles, and touring stage shows into the 2010s and 2020s, maintaining a presence as a widely recognized improviser and television personality.