James Kimberley Corden, affectionately known as the "chunky unit," was born in Hillingdon, London, England, and spent his formative years in Buckinghamshire, England, the son of Margaret (Collins),a dedicated social worker, and Malcolm Corden, a talented musician.
He embarked on a journey of self-discovery, studying drama at the prestigious Jackie Palmer Stage School, before moving on to Holmer Green Senior School, nestled near High Wycombe. Despite possessing little academic ambition, James found solace in the world of acting, making his screen debut in the critically acclaimed Shane Meadows film TwentyFourSeven (1997).
His early roles in television drama series paved the way for his breakthrough performance as a teenage member of a slimming club in the British TV comedy-drama Fat Friends (2000). This marked the beginning of a successful career in television, with notable appearances on the London stage in Alan Bennett's play "The History Boys."
As he continued to hone his craft, James met the talented Welsh actress Ruth Jones, and together they co-created the sitcom Gavin & Stacey (2007),which went on to become a massive hit, winning numerous awards, including British Film Academy awards for Best Comedy Show and Best Comedy Actor for James.
James also cleverly persuaded three of his "History Boys" colleagues to make cameo appearances as Gavin's stag party friends in the show. In 2011, he achieved widespread recognition as a stage actor in the acclaimed farce 'One Man, Two Guv'nors,' which transferred from London to Broadway, marking the beginning of his transatlantic success.
James Corden's remarkable journey culminated in 2015 when he became the host of CBS's The Late, Late Show, cementing his status as a household name.