Ralph Fiennes on screen and stage
Ralph Fiennes is an English actor and director who has worked extensively on stage and screen. Regarded as one of the finest performers of his generation, Fiennes is known for his versatile performances across independent films, blockbusters, and the stage. Fiennes trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before becoming known as a Shakespeare interpreter, where he excelled onstage at the Royal National Theatre before having further success at the Royal Shakespeare Company. He made his feature film debut portraying Heathcliff in the historical film Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.
Fiennes has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Amon Göth in Steven Spielberg's holocaust epic Schindler's List as well as two Academy Awards for Best Actor for his portrayal of László Almásy in the Anthony Minghella's historical romance The English Patient and a Cardinal in Edward Berger's religious drama Conclave. Fiennes started his career acting in dramatic films such as Quiz Show, Oscar and Lucinda, The End of the Affair, and Sunshine. He further established himself with acting in diverse films such as Maid in Manhattan, The Constant Gardener, In Bruges, The Duchess, The Reader, The Hurt Locker, A Bigger Splash, Hail, Caesar!, The Menu, and 28 Years Later.
He earned critical and awards attention playing against type, taking on the comedic role of a charming concierge in the Wes Anderson comic adventure The Grand Budapest Hotel. He also gained international attention for portraying the villain Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter film series and Gareth Mallory / M in the James Bond action franchise films. He is also known for voicing roles in animated films such as The Prince of Egypt, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Kubo and the Two Strings, and The Lego Batman Movie.
Fiennes made his Broadway debut playing Prince Hamlet in the 1995 revival of the William Shakespeare play Hamlet where he won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play. He was Tony-nominated for playing a traveling faith healer in the Brian Friel play Faith Healer. On television, he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for playing a self-destructive Irish butler Bernard Lafferty in the HBO movie Bernard and Doris. He also acted in the BBC films Page Eight, Turks & Caicos, and Salting the Battlefield.
Fiennes is an Honorary Associate of London Film School and received the Stanislavsky Award in 2019.