Here's What You Need To Know About James Corden

If there's a name you should be sure to learn today in order to not feel behind the times tomorrow, it's James Corden. The Wrap announced Tuesday that the 35-year-old Brit is the reported successor to Craig Ferguson's seat as Late Late Night host and he's about to crash into the American consciousness. But by no means does this make him a newbie: Corden's been around quite a while.

The most recent, most widely recognizable credits on Corden's IMDb page are from the Keira Knightly/Mark Ruffalo film Begin Again, and from the much-anticipated Rob Marshall adaptation of Sondheim's Into the Woods. But Corden's more than just some guy on the periphery of American recognition — that'd be like claiming Stephen Merchant's main activity was starring in Hello Ladies. Corden's a Tony winner, a comedy writer, a producer, a presenter — and if this Late Late Night gig's any indication, he's only just beginning. So here's what you need to know.

Corden played a very lovable character in Doctor Who

Let's start with one of the roles that gave him some undeniable cult cred, and the one that'll have the most people squinting their eyes and going "...where do I know that guy from?" To Doctor Who fans around the world, Corden is also known as Craig Owens.

He made his first appearance in "The Lodger" as the Doctor's roommate and then later went on to become the father of an adorable baby who goes by the name of Stormageddon. It was all very delightful.

He won a Tony in 2012

I said this above, but the fact still stands: Corden took home the 2012 Tony for Best Actor in a Play thanks to his leading role in One Man, Two Guvnors. That comedic production hopped from the National Theater to London's West End before it landed on Broadway.

He Used to Be Roommates With Dominic Cooper

In real life he didn't live with the Doctor, but he did live with someone who was once rumored to be the next Doctor. Corden and Dominic Cooper met after starring in a production of The History Boys together at The National Theater. That roommateship is also how he met his wife — who he thanked in that Tony speech up there back when she was his "Baby Mama" and girlfriend; Cooper's the one who introduced them. Cooper then stuck around for an awkwardly long time. From an interview with Radiotimes in Feb 2014:

Indeed, he has only just moved out of Corden’s home after introducing him to his future wife, then overstaying his welcome by hanging on until after the couple were expecting their first child — despite already having a place a few doors away. “When there was a cot at the end of my bed I thought, I really have to go to my own house!”

He's, like, super British

In case that wasn't clear. He was born in Hillingdon, Greater London. Looks like CBS was looking for someone to follow in Ferguson's footsteps of hardcore representing the British Isles. You can witness both the powerful Britishness and his hosting abilities in this episode of Never Ming the Buzzcocks:

And in case it wasn't clear that he's already super successful in Britain:

He co-created and co-starred in Gavin & Stacey

After starring from 2000 to 2005 in the British show Fat Friends , Corden co-created (and co-starred in) British sitcom Gavin & Stacey , which became a breakthrough hit. An American version of the show, called Us & Them and starring Alexis Bledel and Jason Ritter came thisclose to being aired by Fox. Corden won a BAFTA for his role in the original show.

He's starring in Into The Woods

He's not just in Into the Woods — he's one of the main characters.

Get used to his face, people.

Images: BBC; Disney; Getty Images