A landmark photography project
Photography by Katie O'Neill & Harry Yeates
Steve Coogan is best known for his original character Alan Partridge and more recently his TV and cinema acting and screenwriting work in both the UK and the US. Born and raised in Middleton, North Manchester in 1965. Steve is one of six siblings from an Irish catholic family. He studied at Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School in Middleton and then drama at Manchester Polytechnic.
Steve as his alter ego, Alan Partridge
Steve began his career in the 1980s as a voice actor on 'Spitting Image' and came to prominence on the satirical news program 'The Day Today', where his character Alan Partridge first appeared. In 1999 Steve co-founded the production company Baby Cow Productions with his friend Henry Normal.
Steve grew in prominence in the film industry in 2002, after starring in The Parole Officer and 24 Hour Party People. He has since appeared in and had screen writing credits in many TV and film productions including
Around the World in 80 Days, Night at the Museum, Our Idiot Brother, Philomena, Stan and Ollie, The Lost King, The Reckoning - the Jimmy Saville story and Joker: Folie à Deux. For his work he has garnered numerous accolades including four BAFTA Awards and three British Comedy Awards as well as nominations for an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award.
Vanity Fair, 2012
Steve as Jimmy Savile in 'The Reckoning'
Steve’s younger brother Brendan was one of the original presenters of Top Gear, while his elder brother Martin became the lead singer of Manchester rock band the Mock Turtles.
THE SHOOT: Ancoats, Manchester
The area of Manchester where Steve's mum Kathleen was born
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Student reflection: Harry Yeates
Having photographed the first subject for the project in 2016, John Cooper Clarke, it was a lovely surprise to be invited back for the final shoot to photograph yet another great Mancunian (and personal hero of mine), Steve Coogan.
I've been a fan of Steve for as long as I can remember; from childhood classics like Around The World in 80 Days and Night At The Museum, to endlessly quoting his characters from The Day Today with my brothers (still my all time favourite British comedy series -- and I got to tell him as much!). I feel like his work is so prolific that it's hard to find someone who hasn't heard of him, or seen something he's in. And yet I was surprised to find whilst discussing the shoot that not many people realise he's a Manc! But upon meeting him, the Manchester spirit was very apparent, and he was true gent.
Of all the shoots I was lucky enough to take part in, this was by far the most relaxed. Steve seemed more nervous than we were! We photographed Steve in Ancoats, an area that featured prominently in the classic 24 Hour Party People (in a much less gentrified state!). Steve was a natural, and the shoot went very smoothly, not once did I feel we were being rushed for time or bothering him. As with any celebrity or public figure, you have these preconceived notions of how they will be... but I'm so glad to say that he was truly kind and patient, and I feel so lucky to have met yet another one of my heroes.
Once more I am eternally grateful and honoured to have been involved in the project, and want to extend my deepest gratitude to Harry and Katie, and everyone involved in making Greater Mancunians. To think that what started out as a tutor helping a student meet and photograph one of his heroes has turned into such an amazing collection of portraits is truly wonderful. I don't think I'll ever properly process it!
And hey, there's still plenty of Great Mancs out there… So watch this space!
Harry & Steve
