Early Life
Born in Merton, southwest London, on 20 August 1971 to Peter, a London Transport engineer, and Kathleen Williams, a lab technician, Williams was brought up in Banstead, Surrey. His parents appeared on The Friday Night Project when he was the guest star on the show.
Williams was educated at Collingwood Boys' School in Wallington (now Collingwood School) and the independent Reigate Grammar School (where he was a contemporary of Robert Shearman). He was a member of the National Youth Theatre, where he met Matt Lucas. Walliams studied drama at the University of Bristol from 1989 to 1992, one year below Simon Pegg.
Williams changed his name to Walliams ( /ˈwæliəmz/) when he joined the actors' trade union Equity, as there was already a member named David Williams. This was spoofed in a mock interview on Rock Profile, when Robbie Williams was continuously referred to as "Robbie Walliams".
Read more about this topic: David Walliams
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