James May

James May

Acting

Born:
1963-01-16
Place of birth:
Bristol - England - UK

Biography

James Daniel May (born 16 January 1963) is an English television presenter, journalist and writer. May is best known as co-presenter of the motoring programme Top Gear alongside Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond. May has presented a variety of other programmes on themes including science and technology, childhood toys, cars, food and drink, and the plight of manliness in modern times. In addition he has released a variety of DVDs and books with similar themes, and writes a weekly column for The Daily Telegraph's motoring section. On Top Gear, May has the nickname "Captain Slow", for his careful driving style, a love of small, underpowered cars and habit of getting lost and distracted whilst driving. In a February 2007 episode of Top Gear he carried out a successful top speed test drive of a Bugatti Veyron at the Ehra-Lessien Volkswagen test track, reaching 407 kilometres per hour (253 mph). In July 2010 he repeated the attempt in the updated Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, reaching the vehicle's top speed of 417.6 kilometres per hour (259.5 mph), confirming that it had retaken the title as the fastest road car in production.

Known For

Filmography

James May: The Human Machine

James May: The Human Machine

2026
TV
The Grand Tour

The Grand Tour

8.22026Self
TV
The Grand-ish Tour

The Grand-ish Tour

6.92026Self
TV
James May's Shed Load of Ideas

James May's Shed Load of Ideas

6.12025
TV
The Not Very Grand Tour

The Not Very Grand Tour

6.72025Self
TV
James May's Great Explorers

James May's Great Explorers

7.82025James May
TV
James May and the Dull Men

James May and the Dull Men

7.02024Self - Host
TV
Joan Rivers at the BBC

Joan Rivers at the BBC

2024Self (archive footage)
Movie
Perfect Pub Walks

Perfect Pub Walks

7.02024Self
TV
Clarkson's Farm

Clarkson's Farm

8.52021Self
TV
Top Gear: A Tribute to Sabine Schmitz

Top Gear: A Tribute to Sabine Schmitz

9.02021Self
Movie
James May: Oh Cook!

James May: Oh Cook!

6.72020Self
TV
James May: Our Man in…

James May: Our Man in…

7.62020Self
TV
Top Gear - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Top Gear - Planes, Trains and Automobiles

8.02019
Movie
Al Murray's Great British Pub Quiz

Al Murray's Great British Pub Quiz

8.02019Team Captain
TV
James May's Big Trouble in Model Britain

James May's Big Trouble in Model Britain

7.52019Self - Presenter
TV
Top Gear: Winter Blunderland

Top Gear: Winter Blunderland

8.52018
Movie
Top Gear: The Best of the Specials

Top Gear: The Best of the Specials

8.32017James May
Movie
The Grand Tour

The Grand Tour

8.02016Self - Host
TV
James May: The Reassembler

James May: The Reassembler

7.32016Presenter
TV
James May's Build a Car in 24 Hours

James May's Build a Car in 24 Hours

2016Host
TV
Top Gear: The Races

Top Gear: The Races

2016Self
TV
Top Gear: From A-Z

Top Gear: From A-Z

2015Self (archive footage)
Movie
Top Gear From A-Z

Top Gear From A-Z

2015Self
TV
Top Gear: Ambitious But Rubbish

Top Gear: Ambitious But Rubbish

6.72015
TV
James May: Building Cars Live

James May: Building Cars Live

2015Creator
TV
Top Gear: The Big Send Off Special

Top Gear: The Big Send Off Special

8.52015
Movie
Top Gear: Greatest Hits

Top Gear: Greatest Hits

8.02015Himself
Movie
Top Gear: Australian Road Trip

Top Gear: Australian Road Trip

10.02015Himself
Movie
Top Gear: Patagonia Special

Top Gear: Patagonia Special

8.62014
Movie
James May's Cars of the People

James May's Cars of the People

7.82014Self - Presenter
TV
Top Gear: The Burma Special

Top Gear: The Burma Special

8.52014Himself
Movie
To Space & Back

To Space & Back

2013Narrator
Movie
Top Gear Festival: Sydney

Top Gear Festival: Sydney

2013Self - Presenter
Movie
Top Gear: The Great African Adventure

Top Gear: The Great African Adventure

8.52013Himself
Movie
Top Gear: The Worst Car In the History of the World

Top Gear: The Worst Car In the History of the World

7.22012Self
Movie
Dara O Briain's Science Club

Dara O Briain's Science Club

8.32012Himself
TV
Top Gear: Top Fails

Top Gear: Top Fails

2012Self
TV
Top Gear: Supercars Across Italy

Top Gear: Supercars Across Italy

8.12012Himself
Movie
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 5

Top Gear: The Great Adventures 5

8.02012Himself
Movie
Top Gear: The Challenges 6

Top Gear: The Challenges 6

7.02012
Movie
A Night with the Stars

A Night with the Stars

8.02011Self
Movie
A Night with the Stars

A Night with the Stars

2011Participant
TV
Top Gear's Top 40

Top Gear's Top 40

2011James May
TV
Top Gear: At the Movies

Top Gear: At the Movies

6.52011Himself
Movie
The Interceptors

The Interceptors

10.02011James Steed
Movie
James May's Things You Need To Know

James May's Things You Need To Know

7.52011Himself - Presenter
TV
Top Gear: The Challenges 5

Top Gear: The Challenges 5

7.52011Himself
Movie
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 4

Top Gear: The Great Adventures 4

8.42011Himself
Movie
Top Gear: Cars with Soul

Top Gear: Cars with Soul

9.02011Himself
Movie
Top Gear: The U.S. and Albania Road Trip

Top Gear: The U.S. and Albania Road Trip

8.22011Himself
Movie
Top Gear: Apocalypse

Top Gear: Apocalypse

6.42010Self
Movie
James May's Man Lab

James May's Man Lab

7.02010
TV
Top Gear: The Challenges 4

Top Gear: The Challenges 4

7.52010
Movie
Top Gear: The Great Adventures 3

Top Gear: The Great Adventures 3

8.72010
Movie
Top Gear: Romania Special

Top Gear: Romania Special

7.82010Himself
Movie
James May's Toy Stories - Airfix

James May's Toy Stories - Airfix

10.02009Self - Presenter
Movie
James May's Toy Stories

James May's Toy Stories

7.22009Himself - Host
TV
James May on the Moon

James May on the Moon

6.92009Himself - Presenter
Movie
James May at the Edge of Space

James May at the Edge of Space

7.32009Himself
Movie