Coogan started out as a stand-up comic, as well as doing voice over work for adverts and impressions on Spitting Image. He teamed up with Chris Morris and Armando Ianucci, amongst others, on the Radio 4 comedy show On The Hour, where he helped give birth to his most famous creation Alan Partridge. Alan went on to have his own radio show and also appeared on TV in The Day Today and his own chat show Knowing Me, Knowing You. In 1997 he bounced back with the sitcom I'm Alan Partridge, which was followed by a second series in 2002.
Other Coogan creations include Tony Ferrino and Paul and Pauline Calf. Other TV shows include Coogan's Run and Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible. He also played Factory Records boss, Tony Wilson in the UK film 24 Hour Party People, Mole in Terry Jones' The Wind in the Willows and is set to star as Phineas Fogg in a remake of Around the World in 80 Days with Jackie Chan!