Len Goodman is a British professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television personality. He was born on April 25, 1944, in London, England.
Goodman started dancing at a young age and went on to become a professional dancer. He won the British Exhibition Championships four times and the World Cup Championships twice. He also became a well-respected dance teacher, coaching many professional dancers and celebrities.
Goodman's television career started in the 1990s when he became a judge on the British dance competition show, "Come Dancing." He later became a judge on the show's successor, "Strictly Come Dancing," which premiered in 2004. He quickly became known for his catchphrases and his strict but fair judging style.
Goodman's popularity on "Strictly Come Dancing" led to him becoming a judge on the American version of the show, "Dancing with the Stars," in 2005. He remained a judge on the show until 2020.
In addition to his television work, Goodman has appeared in several films and TV shows, including "The Producers" and "Dance with Len Goodman." He has also released instructional dance DVDs and books.
Goodman has been married twice and has two children. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Kent in 2011 for his services to dance and entertainment.