What more can you say about multi talented Eddie Izzard?  Crossdresser, Comedian, Television and Film Star, Doctor…  What’s that you say…? Doctor?  Well it’s true but let’s get back to that a bit later, shall we?







This spring on FX Network, home of the hot new series DIRT with Courtney Cox and long running TG favorite Nip/Tuck, Eddie Izzard will be starring in the The Riches.







In production since December, Eddie plays an Irish-American grifter who, with his ex-con wife (Minnie Driver), seizes the opportunity to swap identities with a wealthy couple they find dead in a car crash. Eddie is among the executive producers of the show (formerly titled Lowlife), the pilot of which had to undergo reshoots. The criminally minded couple (Travelers) unleash themselves in an upscale neighborhood to which their stolen ID counterparts were moving. Eddie poses as an attorney and Ms. Driver must deal with pretentious neighbor women while she attempts to hide her addiction to cough syrup.







Regarding The Riches, FX network president and general manager John Landgraf has stated, “"Our audience comes to us because they want to be surprised. They want to be taken on that roller-coaster ride where the next rise or fall is never in clear view."







Eddie has been seen in many feature films including my personal favorites, The Cat’s Meow and Velvet Goldmine.  His legendary comedic performances have been captured on DVD and include Live at the Ambassadors (1993), Unrepeatable (1994), Definite Article (1996), Glorious (1997), Dress to Kill (1999), Circle (2002) and Sexie (2003). He will also reprise his role as Roman Nagel in the film Ocean’s Thirteen among other performances this coming year.







I had the great experience of meeting up with Eddie during the Circle tour in 2001, just before he won the Emmy Award for the famed Dressed To Kill which was taped for HBO.  Not only is he congenial and honest about his crossdressing, on or off stage, he knows who he is. Recently he stated “"I want to meet the top expert on (being) transgender and find out what the current thinking is, because I don't think I will agree. They keep talking about gender dysphasia, but that means confusion and I'm not confused. I know what I am.”







Oh yes, the Doctor part of the story. In July 2003, Eddie was made an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England for 'pro-Europe campaigning', 'his contribution to promoting modern languages and tolerance of other cultures and lifestyles' and for having 'transcended national barriers' with his humour. And on July 20, 2006 he received an honorary doctorate in Letters from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Sheffield, where he spent one year on an Accounting and Financial Management course in the early 80s. During his time at the University he established the since-defunct Alternative Productions Society in the Union of Students with the aim of promoting fringe-based arts.







Quoting the University of Sheffield: "It's very nice to be given this," said a smiling Izzard, dressed in a smart navy suit, with no nail varnish in sight. "It's only taken me 25 years to get a degree! Now I can put Doctor at the beginning of my name."







So yes, this spring on television, Dr. Izzard will be making a house call into your living room. He won’t be in a dress, but once more, he shows you and me in a good light.



One final quote from Dr. Izzard: “I've been a TV since I was 4. It hasn’t moved; it is my thing. I will wear what I want though. In my branch, of being a male lesbian of sorts, there's a big slice of boy stuff going on of course and I just enjoy being a bloke. I appreciate it more because I can express a more feminine side, and so I will go from wearing one to the other… I'll just keep moving it around so that the media can't really box me in too much.”







Check out Eddie’s website!







Check out the FX Network website!







Check this great Eddie Izzard Fan website!