Pegg was born in Gloucester and studied drama at the University of Bristol. In 1993 he moved to London and gigged on the stand-up comedy circuit before breaking into television comedy in Six Pairs of Pants, Faith in the Future, Big Train and Hippies.
Other credits include World War II mini-series Band of Brothers and the Factory Records story 24 Hour Party People.
He is currently working with Spaced director Edgar Wright on a zombie film to be called Shaun of the Dead.