Last updated on the 8 July 2024 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born: December 22, 1962, Ipswich, England.

Ralph Fiennes’ father was a farmer and photographer, his mother was a writer and the household buzzed with artistic energy. Ralph was the eldest of six, four of whom would also pursue careers in the arts – a testament to the creative spark that ignited within the Fiennes family.

Despite his artistic lineage, Ralph’s path to acting wasn’t entirely straightforward. After attending schools in England and Ireland, he dabbled in painting and graphic design before eventually discovering a passion for theatre. This newfound enthusiasm led him to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he graduated in 1985.

Ralph Fiennes’ talent quickly blossomed on the London stage. He joined the Royal National Theatre, excelling in classical roles and captivating audiences with his nuanced performances. His talent for Shakespeare was particularly evident, and he soon found himself gracing the esteemed stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In 1992, Fiennes transitioned to film, taking on the brooding role of Heathcliff in “Wuthering Heights.” While the film itself received mixed reviews, Fiennes’ performance garnered critical acclaim, setting the stage for a meteoric rise in cinema. The following year proved to be a turning point, he played the chillingly ruthless Amon Goeth in Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”. His performance earned him his first Academy Award nomination and solidified his status as a powerful dramatic actor.

Ralph Fiennes continued to display his versatility throughout the 1990s and beyond. He captivated audiences as the complex quiz show host in “Quiz Show,” the tortured patient in “The English Patient” (another Oscar nomination), and the enigmatic Lord Voldemort in the “Harry Potter” series. He has also lent his voice to animated films like “The Prince of Egypt” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

While his film career flourished, Fiennes never abandoned his theatrical roots. He has continued to perform on stage throughout his career, taking on iconic roles like Hamlet and Richard II. In 2018, he even ventured into directing with a film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus.”

Ralph Fiennes was married briefly to actress Alex Kingston in the early 1990s, but the couple divorced a few years later. While he remains tight-lipped about his current relationship status, he has spoken openly about the importance of family and the influence his artistic siblings have had on his life.

WINNER|Film: Actor in a Supporting Role for Schindler’s List 1994

Suggested viewing

The English Patient (1996)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4

“The English Patient” is a romantic and tragic epic set in World War II. It revolves around the lives of four individuals in an Italian monastery. The story unfolds as the mysterious identity of a severely burned patient is revealed through his memories, intertwining love, betrayal and the devastating consequences of war.

Top cast: Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas, Naveen Andrews, Colin Firth, Julian Wadham, Torri Higginson, Jürgen Prochnow.

The Constant Gardener (2005)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4

“The Constant Gardener” is a gripping political thriller that follows a British diplomat named Justin Quayle. After his wife, Tessa, is killed in Kenya under suspicious circumstances, he embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind her murder. The film explores corruption, pharmaceutical conspiracies and the personal journey of justice and redemption.

Top cast: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy, Pete Postlethwaite, Richard McCabe, Donald Sumpter, Juliet Aubrey, Hubert Koundé.

Skyfall (2019)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.8

“Skyfall” is a captivating James Bond film that delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by the iconic MI6 spy. Bond’s loyalty to M is tested when a cyberterrorist targets her and the agency itself. As he confronts his past, Bond must stop the threat and protect those he cares about.

Top cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Judi Dench.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

During a prestigious competition between magical schools, Harry Potter finds himself chosen as a surprise competitor. He faces dangerous tasks and mounting suspicion as a dark force he thought vanquished returns, threatening not only the competition but the entire wizarding world.

Top cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Eric Sykes, Timothy Spall, David Tennant, Mark Williams, Ralph Fiennes.

The Reader (2008)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.6

A forbidden romance blossoms between a teenager and an older woman in post-war Germany. Years later, the young man, now a law student, is forced to confront his past when his former lover becomes a defendant in a war crimes trial, revealing a shocking secret that shatters his world.

Top cast: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, Lena Olin, Bruno Ganz, Jeanette Hain, Hannah Herzsprung, Karoline Herfurth, Volker Bruch.

The Duchess (2008)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.9

“The Duchess” is an engaging period drama based on the life of Georgiana Cavendish, the Duchess of Devonshire. Set in 18th-century England, it depicts her tumultuous marriage, political influence and struggles with societal expectations. The film explores themes of love, betrayal and the limitations faced by women in that era.

Top cast: Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell, Simon McBurney, Aidan McArdle, John Shrapnel, Alistair Petrie.

Page Eight (2011)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.8

“Page Eight” is a British spy thriller film directed by David Hare. The story revolves around Johnny Worricker, a long-serving MI5 officer, who uncovers a secret document that could potentially change the course of British politics. As he navigates through a web of deception and betrayal, he must decide where his loyalties lie.

Top cast: Bill Nighy, Rachel Weisz, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Felicity Jones, Tom Hughes, Judy Davis, Rakhee Thakrar, Saskia Reeves.

The Dig (2021)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.1

“The Dig” is a historical drama film based on a true story. Set in 1939, it follows the excavation of an ancient burial site at Sutton Hoo, England. As archaeologist Basil Brown and landowner Edith Pretty unearth remarkable artifacts, tensions arise between professional and personal interests, revealing the power of discovery and the fragility of human connections.

Top cast: Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan, Ken Stott, Ben Chaplin, Johnny Flynn, Lily James, Monica Dolan, Archie Barnes, Eamon Farren.

The Menu (2022)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 7.2

Margot and Tyler, a young couple, venture to a secluded island with the intention of dining at Hawthorne, an upscale restaurant managed by renowned chef Slowik. At Hawthorne, Slowik presents an extravagant molecular gastronomy menu that treats food as a form of conceptual art. However, the couple soon discovers that Slowik’s unique culinary style holds unexpected and startling surprises for the affluent patrons of the restaurant.

Top cast: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Paul Adelstein, John Leguizamo, Aimee Carrero.

Schindler’s List (1993)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 9.0

“Schindler’s List” is a gripping and poignant tale set during World War II. It depicts the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saves over a thousand Jewish lives by employing them in his factories. The film explores the atrocities of the Holocaust and Schindler’s transformation from opportunist to humanitarian.

Top cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagall, Embeth Davidtz, Malgorzata Gebel, Shmuel Levy, Mark Ivanir.

Ralph Fiennes full filmography @ Wikipedia