Kenneth Branagh

Date of Birth:
December 10th 1960

Current Role

Esteemed actor and director, Kenneth Branagh starred as the title role of Chekov's Ivanov at the Wyndham's Theatre.

Early Life

ranagh was born in Belfast in 1960. Educated at Grove Primary School, His family relocated to Reading to avoid the growing civil tensions in Northern Ireland and Branagh attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

Career Highlights

Branagh became a major name to theatre audiences in the UK after a successful tour with the Birmingham Repertory Company. Performing three plays under the title Renaissance Shakespeare on the Road, Branagh starred in Judi Dench's directorial debut production of Much Ado About Nothing and Hamlet and went on to adapt Shakespeare plays for the cinema.

Branagh also starred as the title role of Chekov's Ivanov (2007) at the Wyndham's Theatre and has appeared in films including Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, Mary Shelly's Frankenstein (which he also directed) and Valkyrie with Tom Cruise.

Interesting Facts

• Branagh can speak Italian
• He received an honorary Doctorate in Literature from Queen's University in Belfast
• Branagh claims to support both Tottenham Hotspur and Glasgow Rangers football clubs

Awards

Kenneth Branagh's major award titles include:

• An Emmy for his portrayal of Reinhard Heydrich in the TV film Conspiracy.
• A BAFTA for Henry V
• The Golden Quill
• The CBE from Her Majesty the Queen