Stephen Mangan, the actor known for his ubiquitous presence on television and stage, has revealed that his children jokingly call him 'Uncle Stephen' because he is away from home so frequently. The 58-year-old star, currently performing in the West End play The Truth, admitted that his busy schedule has led to this lighthearted nickname from his three sons.
Nickname Origin
Speaking about his time away, Mangan recalled returning from a six-month stint in New York for the Broadway transfer of The Norman Conquests. During that period, his youngest son Jack was just two years old. Upon his return, one of his children greeted him with 'Hello, Uncle Stephen!'—a joke orchestrated by his wife, actress Louise Delamere. 'I couldn’t complain: it was a good joke,' Mangan said with a smile.
Current West End Role
Mangan is currently starring in The Truth at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, a production that runs until September 9. The play, a comedic yet cynical exploration of infidelity among two couples, features Mangan in every scene for the full 90-minute duration. 'It’s very clever, a never-ending series of shocking reveals. It’s why I love doing theatre so much,' he explained. 'There’s nothing to beat 860 people gasping and laughing by turn.' The cast also includes Janie Dee, Sarah Hadland, and Ardal O’Hanlon.
Balancing Family and Career
Mangan, who is married to actress Louise Delamere, is father to Harry (18), Frank (15), and Jack (10). He acknowledges that performing eight times a week is anti-social for family life but notes that he typically only does a play once every two years. 'On the whole, I only do a play once every two years,' he said. 'But I couldn’t resist this one.' He also revealed that he will begin rehearsals for a new, undisclosed production overlapping the end of The Truth.
Reflecting on his wife's support, Mangan said, 'She’s an actress—she understands. For instance, the Norman Conquests transferred to Broadway. Those opportunities don’t come along all that often. But, even though we had a two-year-old at the time and I was away for six months, she was incredibly supportive.'
Career Highlights
Mangan's career spans stage, television, and radio. He is known for his role in Green Wing, which he says gave him a profile. He also co-presented Landscape Artist of the Year with Joan Bakewell and now hosts it solo. Additionally, he appears on Celebrity Gogglebox with his sister Anita, and they have collaborated on nine children's books. He also hosts a three-hour radio show for Classic FM every Sunday afternoon.
Reflecting on his early career, Mangan recalled turning down TV offers to focus on regional theatre, replicating the old repertory system. 'In those days, you were an actor, or you were not an actor,' he said. 'You certainly wouldn’t also work as a presenter, and to appear in an advert would be to prostitute your art. But that simply is no longer the case.'
Personal Loss and Motivation
Mangan's mother, Mary, died of bowel cancer at age 45, and his father, James, died of a brain tumour at 63. He cared for his mother for a year before attending RADA, having his final audition just 10 days after her death. 'It meant that I didn’t give one hoot about whether I was offered a place—I was consumed by grief,' he said. His father's death occurred during the filming of Green Wing, forcing him to balance play-acting in a hospital by day and visiting his father in a real one at night.
Fitness and Future Plans
Mangan keeps fit by running and completed the London Marathon last year in under four hours, planning to do it again next April. 'I watched both my parents die,' he said. 'That concentrates your mind when it comes to fitness.' A Tottenham Hotspur supporter and season ticket holder for 31 years, he jokes about the team's lack of success: 'We can’t always enjoy success in every department of our lives.'
Looking ahead, Mangan hopes to write his own play and remains open to a musical, despite joking that it would be too hard. After more than 30 years of acting, he is content: 'I’m delighted to be busy in stuff that genuinely interests me. What more can you ask as an actor? Variety is the spice.'
