Renowned British actor Martin Freeman highlighted the enduring influence of classic slapstick comedy during his hosting duties at the Slapstick Festival in Bristol. Freeman, best known for his role as Tim in The Office, expressed how comedic giants like Laurel and Hardy shaped his early career.

Freeman openly admitted to his admiration for Oliver Hardy, stating, “Part of my stuff really was just doing bad impressions of Oliver Hardy,” he said. “That exasperated look to camera is just me doing an Oliver Hardy impersonation.”

According to Freeman, humor without words continues to be a powerful tool in today’s media landscape. “It’s a very big skill in our current culture to make people laugh with no words,” he emphasized.

Freeman’s sentiment about the simplicity and laughter-inducing nature of comedy mirrored the ethos of The Office, which he starred in from 2001 to 2003. “I’m still very proud of that show,” he mentioned.

Freeman went on to share the nostalgic moments he experienced sharing the set with his fellow cast members. “A lot of us bonded over things like Spinal Tap, The Simpsons, and Laurel and Hardy,” he noted. These classic comedies serve as a testament to the enduring genre of slapstick and how it resonates across generations.

After his success in The Office, Freeman’s career has taken exciting turns. He essayed the complex role of Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit trilogy and continued his pursuit of diverse roles as Dr. John Watson in the Sherlock series and protagonist Lester Nygaard in the darkly comedic series Fargo.

While Freeman has taken on serious and challenging roles, his love for comedy remains unshaken. “I’ve always loved laughing and occasionally making people laugh, if you can,” he said. “There is nothing like a room full of people laughing.”

The Slapstick Festival, to which Freeman lent his star power, continues with a diverse lineup. On Saturday, audiences will enjoy performances and discussions featuring Stephen K Amos, Robin Ince, and Rick Wakeman. The festival concludes on Sunday with a special show dedicated to the 1970s sitcom The Goodies, followed by a talk between Adam Hills and Ben Elton, touching upon Elton’s roles in shows like Blackadder and The Young Ones.

Martin Freeman’s remarks at the Slapstick Festival underscore the universal language of laughter and the profound impact of classic comedy. From The Office to The Hobbit, Freeman’s journey through the bustling world of entertainment highlights the enduring charm of humor and the limitless possibilities it offers to actors.