Raph_PH, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Derek Jacobi
Actor
Born October 22, 1938 in Leytonstone, United Kingdom (88 years old)
Theatre
Sir Derek George Jacobi is an English actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen as well as for his work at the Royal National Theatre, he has received numerous accolades including a Tony Award, a British Academy Television Award, two Laurence Olivier Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He was given a knighthood for his services to theatre by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Signature Roles
4 Signature Roles3 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
After emerging from Cambridge's celebrated Footlights in the early 1960s, Jacobi secured his place in theatrical history with a landmark Hamlet at the National Theatre, establishing himself as the preeminent interpreter of Shakespeare's most psychologically complex roles. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he has commanded the stages of the RSC, the West End, and the Old Vic, while simultaneously achieving iconic status in television through his unforgettable turn as Claudius in I, Claudius. His mastery of classical text, combined with a commanding stage presence and vocal precision, has secured his position as one of the last great inheritors of the Gielgud-Olivier legacy.
Career Highlight
Landmark performance as Hamlet at the National Theatre (1960s), which established him as the preeminent interpreter of Shakespeare's most demanding roles; later knighted for services to drama
At a Glance
- Voice
- Actor
- Nationality
- United Kingdom
- Born
- 1938 · Leytonstone, United Kingdom
Training & Education
Leyton Sixth Form College
Principal Houses
Engagements
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Available Performances
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