Kevin Allen Biography

Date of Birth: September 15, 1962

Born in Swansea, Wales, Kevin Allen's feature film directing and screenwriting debut, Twin Town (1997), was a portrayal of his hometown as seen through the eyes of two brothers. In this black comedy, Swansea was riddled with drugs, poverty, crime, corruption and violence as the boys set out to avenge their father who has been the victim of an accident.

Allen began his career as an actor, attending theater school in London. His first television appearance was on The Comic Strip presents, written and directed by his older brother, Keith. Kevin made his feature film acting debut with a small role in The Supergrass (1985), in which his brother played a lead role. Allen then landed the regular role of Slasher Bates on the TV sitcom Hardwicke House in 1987, but the series was pulled after two episodes due to public outcry about the offensive content. He continued to work in feature films, TV movies and miniseries before landing another recurring role in the 1995 TV series The Thin Blue Line, starring Rowan Atkinson. After being cast in a supporting role in the Oscar-nominated hit Trainspotting (1996) starring Ewan McGregor, Kevin decided to make the move into directing. His first feature, the aforementioned Twin Town, was executive-produced by Trainspotting director Danny Boyle and producer Andrew Macdonald. As well as making his directorial debut in 1997, Allen played a role in Spice World (1997), starring the Spice Girls. He concentrated on his second directorial effort, The Big Tease (1999) starring Frances Fisher and Craig Ferguson, then took time off from directing to act in the American film The Skulls, filmed in Canada and starring Joshua Jackson (2000). Allen moved back into the director's chair with his biggest budget feature to date - the U.S. comedy sequel Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004).

Allen lives in London and has also appeared on stage in productions such as A Prayer for Wings, directed by Joan Plowright for The Bush Company and Berlin Bertie, directed by Danny Boyle for the Royal Court.

Filmography (director):

Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London (2004)
The Big Tease (1999)
Twin Town (1997)

Filmography (actor):

The Skulls (2000)
The Big Tease (1999)
Spice World (1997)
Twin Town (1997)
Different for Girls (1996)
Trainspotting (1996)
Eat the Rich (1987)
The Supergrass (1985)