biography
| name: |
Branagh, Kenneth (Charles)
|
pronunciation:
[brana]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1960– )
|
| biography:
| Actor and director, born in Belfast, NE Northern Ireland, UK. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1984. In 1987 he co-founded and became co-director of the Renaissance Theatre Company, starring in successful tours in 1988 and 1989, and in 1998 co-founded the Shakespeare Film Company. His film credits as director/actor include the remake of Henry V (1989, BAFTA best actor), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), a 4-hour film production of Hamlet (1997), and a musical version of Love's Labour's Lost (2000). Other film appearances include In the Bleak Midwinter (1995) and Wild, Wild West (1999). Television performances include Shackleton (2002) and Conspiracy (2002, Emmy). In 1990 he was named European Actor of the Year, and in 2000 received the Gielgud Award in recognition of his theatrical achievements. In 2001 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters by the Shakespeare Institute for his work in bringing Shakespeare to a popular audience. In 2001 he directed The Play What I Wrote, the comedy tribute to Morcambe and Wise. He returned to the stage after an absence of 10 years to play the lead in Richard III at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield in 2002. He was married to actress Emma Thompson (1989–96). |
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