Profiles

Determined to make it into acting, Mackenzie entered stand-up comedy, using various characters, such as Charlie Cheese and the teacher Mr Bagshaw. In fact, he spent eight years on the comedy circuit before making it onto TV with the 11 o'clock Show, and then, of course, as Gareth in The Office.

Now, he has a long list of feature films under his belt, from J J Barrie's Neverland to The Merchant of Venice and the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. But, as he explained to Pat Marsh, it's taken him several years to realise his ambitions.
 
"The idea did come to me late on. I didn't see any encouragement at my particular school, I'm sorry to say, and so it didn't really occur to me until my late teens and by that time I didn't really want to go to drama school. So it wasn't always my vocation I don't think. I joined the Orchard Youth Theatre in Dartford when I was about 15 and that's where I started to get my inspiration from. I didn't see myself as a stage actor, cinema was always my passion and that was always the dream - to get into movies. And I guess I've done it!"

Mackenzie has come along way from his family's semi-detached home in Sutton-at-Hone. There are still days when he can't believe how his life's changed.

"I've spent time in The Bahamas filming Pirates of the Caribbean and every morning I'd turn up on set and see these two huge pirate galleons and a hundred pirates surrounding me and think goodness how did I get here? I've never felt that I've missed out by not going to drama school except perhaps my knowledge of theatre; I don't have the depth of knowledge that I think you study at drama school. But as far as acting techniques I think that a lot of the time either you have that or you don't."

"My dad's a very creative man but he was born in a generation where you didn't get the opportunities that perhaps we get now and so he didn't follow it up. I spent a good few years on the dole and I think they were quietly worried but they never tried to discourage me so I have to thank them for that."

Former classmates from his primary school will remember Mackenzie as a quiet, small boy. He took part in the school plays and immersed himself in art. There was a teacher at his school called Mr Bagshaw, but Mackenzie is keen to point out that he is not the person depicted in his comedy stage act.

"It was therapy for me to put this guy on stage and I should stress that I took the name from another teacher who was a nice man. I think it was therapy for the audience too as they understood their position as pupils in the class and they let rip".

After years on the comedy circuit, Mackenzie's big break came when he landed a part in a brand new BBC series, The Office.

"There's been some incredible moments in my life, but the when I got the part of Gareth in The Office I remember it as being a turning point. I knew when I first read that script that this was going to be massive and it was an incredible piece of work. So when I knew I got the part I thought 'OK this is it - now doors will open'."

Well, doors did open, and film offers flooded in. Mackenzie seized the opportunity to play other parts.

"I think no matter what I do people will always remember Gareth first and foremost but the idea was to play a number of different varied parts to prove to myself as much as anyone else that I could do it."

With success, comes fame and Mackenzie has spent the past couple of years on a whirlwind of publicity, red carpets and film premieres. Not something he’s totally at ease with.

"I don't enjoy it particularly I have to admit but I understand it is part of the job - if you want to be a successful actor you get to be well-known. I've recently been to the World and European film premieres and they are quite ridiculous affairs - massive spectacles - a pair of spectacles in fact! It's not my natural habitat I don't feel particularly comfortable there."

Home for Mackenzie now is Peter Sellers’ old house in Muswell Hill, and after months spent away on the film sets, he enjoys nothing more than spending time at home with his family.

"My wife and my son came along at exactly the right time to remind me of my priorities so with a young son, I have no trouble keeping my feet on the ground."