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Last updated on the 6 June 2024 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: May 27, 1970 Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.Â
Joseph Fiennes’ family tree brims with artistic talent. His father, Mark Fiennes, was a photographer and farmer, while his mother, Jennifer Lash, was a novelist. Even more remarkably, several of his siblings have carved successful paths in the arts: his brother Ralph is a renowned actor, while his sisters Martha and Sophie are directors and his brother Magnus is a composer.
Joseph Fiennes’ early life was steeped in artistic influence. Though briefly educated in Ireland, his formative years were spent in Salisbury, England. He initially explored visual arts, attending art school in Suffolk for a year. However, the pull of the stage proved stronger. He joined the Young Vic Youth Theatre, a turning point that ignited his passion for acting. This newfound focus led him to the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he studied for three years, graduating in 1993.
Fiennes’ career blossomed quickly. His stage debut came in the West End production of “The Woman in Black,” followed by roles in classics like “A Month in the Country.” His talent caught the eye of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he spent two seasons performing in diverse productions such as “Son of Man” and “Troilus and Cressida.” This classical grounding proved invaluable as he transitioned to screen acting.
Joseph Fiennes’ film debut arrived in 1995 with “A Feast at Ludlow.” However, it was his portrayal of William Shakespeare himself in 1998’s “Shakespeare in Love” that catapulted him to international fame. The film was a critical and commercial darling, earning him an Academy Award nomination and solidifying his place as a rising star. He continued to showcase his versatility, taking on roles like the ambitious explorer Sir Robert Dudley in “Elizabeth” (1998) and the steely Commisar Danilov in the war drama “Enemy at the Gates” (2001).
Fiennes’ television career has also been impressive. He garnered acclaim for his portrayal of the revolutionary leader Martin Luther in the 2003 miniseries “Luther.” He has also graced the small screen in shows like “FlashForward” (2009) and “American Horror Story: Asylum” (2012). More recently, he has starred in the Hulu series “The Handmaid’s Tale,” showcasing his ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters.
Joseph Fiennes married Maria Dolores Dieguez in 2009 and the couple have two children.
Suggested viewing
Camelot (2011)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.4
Thrust onto the throne after his father’s death, a young, untested King Arthur must unite a war-torn kingdom with the guidance of the powerful sorcerer Merlin, all while facing the challenges of leadership and the seductive whispers of dark magic.
Top cast: Joseph Fiennes, Jamie Campbell Bower, Tamsin Egerton, Eva Green, Peter Mooney, Claire Forlani, Philip Winchester, Sinéad Cusack, Sean Pertwee, James Purefoy.
Related to
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0
Venice, 1596. Bassanio begs his friend Antonio, a prosperous merchant, to lend him a large sum of money so that he can woo Portia, a very wealthy heiress; but Antonio has invested his fortune abroad, so they turn to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender and ask him for a loan.
Top cast: Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, Joseph Fiennes, Lynn Collins, Zuleikha Robinson, Kris Marshall, Charlie Cox, Heather Goldenhersh, Mackenzie Crook.
Elizabeth (1998)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4
The story of the ascension to the throne and the early reign of Queen Elizabeth the First, the endless attempts by her council to marry her off, the Catholic hatred of her and her romance with Lord Robert Dudley.
Top cast: Cate Blanchett, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush, Christopher Eccleston, John Gielgud, Richard Attenborough, Fanny Ardant, Eric Cantona, Vincent Cassel.
Related to
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1
Young Shakespeare is forced to stage his latest comedy, “Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate’s Daughter,” before it’s even written. When a lovely noblewoman auditions for a role, they fall into forbidden love and his play finds a new life (and title). As their relationship progresses, Shakespeare’s comedy soon transforms into tragedy.
Top cast: Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Tom Wilkinson, Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Colin Firth, Ben Affleck, Simon Callow.
Enemy at the Gates (2000)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2
During the brutal battle of Stalingrad a gifted but inexperienced soldier emerges as a deadly sniper, boosting his nation’s morale. A famed enemy sniper is sent to eliminate him, igniting a tense game of cat and mouse amidst the war’s devastation.
Top cast: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Rachel Weisz, Joseph Fiennes, Bob Hoskins, Ron Perlman, Eva Mattes, Gabriel Thomson, Matthias Habich.
More WW2 Eastern Front
