Photo: Steve Bowbrick from Radlett, United Kingdom · License: CC BY 2.0 · Source: Wikimedia Commons
Simon Russell Beale
Actor
Born January 12, 1961 in Penang, Malaysia (65 years old)
Theatre
Sir Simon Russell Beale is a virtuosic English actor whose chameleonic command of classical and contemporary drama has established him as one of the finest stage performers of his generation, equally at home in Shakespeare, Chekhov, and contemporary works.
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Spotlight
Career Trajectory
Beginning as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral and later training as an opera singer after Cambridge, Simon Russell Beale pivoted decisively to acting, making his professional debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1986, where his comic brilliance and intellectual acuity quickly established him as an exceptional talent. Over four decades, he has built an unparalleled repertoire spanning Shakespeare, Chekhov, Molière, and contemporary drama, becoming the preeminent classical actor of his generation through performances of extraordinary nuance and vocal musicality. His 2022 Tony Award for *The Lehman Trilogy* and his 2019 knighthood represent the culmination of a career defined by artistic integrity, institutional loyalty, and an unwavering commitment to the highest standards of theatrical craft.
Career Highlight
Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for *The Lehman Trilogy* (2022)
Training & Education
St Paul's Cathedral School
Available Performances
Additional recordings will appear here as the catalog expands.