Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh, professionally known as Kenneth Branagh, is a British actor, producer, director, and screenwriter, who is well known for his film and TV adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays as well as for his work on blockbusters like ‘Thor’ and ‘Cinderella.’ With a background in dramatic arts and a successful career in both film and television, Branagh has received numerous accolades for his performances and contributions to the industry. He is a highly respected figure in the world of Shakespearean adaptations and has made these classic plays accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, Branagh has been recognized for his talent in writing, directing, and acting, being one of the few non-American actors to be nominated for Oscars in all three categories. With his impressive body of work and numerous honors, Branagh continues to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry.
Quick Facts
- Name: Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh
- Age: 63 Years, 63 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Lindsay Brunnock (m. 2003), Emma Thompson (m. 1989; div. 1995)
- Father: William Branagh
- Mother: Frances Branagh
- Partner: Helena Bonham Carter (1994–1999)
- Born Country: Northern Ireland
- Occupation: Actors, Directors
- Height: 5’10” (178 cm), 5’10” Males
- City: Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Education: Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art
Childhood & Early Life
Kenneth Charles Branagh was born on December 10, 1960 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Frances Harper and William Branagh. He belongs to a family of working class Protestants and has two siblings. When he was nine, his family left Ireland to settle in Reading, Berkshire, England. He received his early education at Grove Primary School, Whiteknights Primary School, and Meadway School in Tilehurst. During his time at Meadway School, he participated in school plays.
Career
Kenneth Branagh received training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and began his career as a stage actor. In 1982, he won the SWET Award for Best Newcomer for his performance in ‘Another Country’. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company and gained success with productions like ‘Henry V’. In 1987, he co-founded the Renaissance Theatre Company and had success with productions like ‘Twelfth Night’.
Kenneth Branagh became popular for his interpretations of Shakespeare’s works on both the big and small screens. He directed and starred in adaptations of ‘Henry V’, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, ‘Hamlet’, ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’, and ‘As You Like It’. However, his directorial career faced a setback with the failure of ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’.
In addition to his Shakespearean adaptations, Branagh directed non-Shakespearean films like ‘Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein’ and ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. He also appeared in non-Shakespearean films such as ‘Dead Again’, ‘Wild Wild West’, ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’, ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’, and ‘Valkyrie’.
Branagh’s career also includes TV films and radio performances. He received critical acclaim for his performance in the TV film ‘Conspiracy’ and earned an Emmy for his role. He also appeared in TV films like ‘Shackleton’ and played the title roles in radio versions of ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’.
In recent years, Branagh directed films like ‘Cinderella’, ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, and appeared in films like ‘Dunkirk’.
Major Works
One of Kenneth Branagh’s major works is ‘Henry V’, a film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play. Branagh directed and starred in the film, which received critical acclaim and was nominated for three Oscars. He won the British Academy Film Award for best direction.
Another major work is ‘Thor’, a superhero film based on Marvel Comics characters. Branagh directed the film, which was a commercial success and received critical acclaim. It starred Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Personal Life
Kenneth Branagh married actress Emma Thompson in 1989, but their marriage ended in 1995. He then had a long-term relationship with actress Helena Bonham Carter. He later married film art director Lindsay Brunnock in 2003.
Branagh is known for his regular meditation practice to maintain calm and balance. He is involved in charitable work and holds honorary positions in various organizations. He has also written books about his filmmaking career and released his autobiography, ‘Beginning’, in 1989. In 2015, he became the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.