James Corden Shares His Inspiring Story of How He Rose Into Stardom

FameJune 28, 2019

Ever since he was young, James Corden already noticed his ability to catch people’s attention. He realized back then he had the capability of making people laugh. However, he never expected it would be his life-long mission someday. James Corden shares how his humble beginnings helped him reach his late-night stardom and reinvent late-night American television.

The Blessing in Disguise

One of the renowned hosts of CBS’ The Late Late Show, James Corden, revealed he was convinced at first he wouldn’t become a great TV show host. He’s not even a stand-up comedian, so he has no idea how to charm the audience.

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Corden first shared his story while celebrating his 40th birthday in the late-night show in 2016.

Before being a talk show host, Corden was a writer and Tony-award actor. While he was a veteran in both screen and stage, he revealed accepting the job made him nervous because he never appeared on a talk show before. The only thing Corden had an experience when it comes to hooking people’s attention was when he was four years old.

The Past

While attending his younger sister’s christening, he remembered how he got the public’s attention while standing in front of the altar and they laughed when he made faces. Back then, his desire to become a performer overpowered his devotion to his studies. He remembered how his classmates would frown whenever he shared his goal with them. They would comment he needed something to fall back on in case he couldn’t achieve his dream.

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Corden reveals he decided to pursue his dreams despite people saying he should focus on his studies instead.

While they were right, Corden thought considering a second option (which you didn’t have the heart to do it in the first place) was a sign of giving up your dreams. He never considered giving up his goals, so he decided to pursue his dreams instead.

The Process

As early as 17 years old, Corden started auditioning in every play, and he landed his first stage appearance in Martin Guerre in 1996. He only had one single line to utter while standing far up the back in the said stage play. Corden felt honored and glorified to know he brought smiles to the faces of 20 or so audience who watched their stage play. However, he also realized he wanted to go beyond the four corners of the theater.

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After having numerous stage plays, Corden diverted his attention to the TV and film industry.

He soon builds up impressive credentials as he starred in prominent projects like Mike Leigh’s All or Nothing, the famous comedy Teachers, Fat Friends, Hollyoaks, as well as Little Britain. Corden also played in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys in 2004 while starring on Fat Friends.
The said ITV drama helped Corden to rise on his limelight as their series became a phenomenon hit. Along with his co-stars, they had their first international tour in the same year. They also had a Stateside run on Broadway. Two years later, Fat Friends got adapted into a feature film.

The Television Show Journey

Corden also ventured into creating his TV show together with his co-star Ruth Jones from Fat Friends. They produced Gavin & Stacey as part of BBC’s Three series in 2007. However, the TV show failed due to controversies Corden faced while managing the show.

He felt heartbroken and lost when he failed for the first time. Despite the loss and failures he’d endured, Corden never thought he’d met the CBS President Leslie Moonves, the very man who’d change the course of his life.

Together with Moonves, Craig Ferguson and David Letterman were planning to produce a new segment of the Late Late Show. Moonves said they wanted James Corden to be part of their network one way or another. They wanted him to host the late-night show.

The Success

While he still wanted to pursue his creativity, Corden realized he needed to think for his family’s well-being too (Corden’s wife was pregnant that time). So, in fall 2014, he became the new host of the late-night show. While breaching the American market was tough (since they didn’t know him yet), Corden reveals being a CBS host was the best decision of his life. He thanked Moonves and CBS for his success now.