Biography of Benedict Cumberbatch

July 19, 1976
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch was born on 19 July 1976 in London, the son of actors Timothy Carlton and Wanda Ventham. After completing the Brambletye School in West Sussex, attended Harrow School and started acting. Once completed the studies required for a year goes to teach English in Tibet, in a monastery; then, back in Britain, studying drama at Manchester University. After graduating, he attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, continuing his studies in the field of acting. Meanwhile, began dating Olivia Poulet, a girl known to the University: their relationship will last twelve years.

The years 2000

In 2002 his debut on television in Benedict Cumberbatch film "Fields of Gold" and appearing in several tv series. In 2004, thanks to his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in "Hawking", won the Golden Nymph in the Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo as best actor in a television movie, and gets a nomination for best actor at Bafta.

The abduction in South Africa

In 2005 is the protagonist of "To the Ends of the Earth" miniseries inspired by the trilogy by William Golding, where plays the role of Edmund Talbot. During filming, despite himself the victim of a nasty episode: while in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, is kidnapped by a gang of local criminals together with two colleagues, Theo Landey and Denise Black. After being tied up and stripped of money he was carrying, is conducted in the countryside: manages to escape, however, thanks to the sudden appearance of some lights, that frighten the kidnappers just before these proceed to the killing of the kidnapped.

Subsequent work

Afterwards, recovered from the trauma, Benedict Cumberbatch plays at the Almeida Theatre in "Hedda Gabier", also presented at the Duke of York's Theatre: thanks to her character, Tesman, is nominated for best supporting actor at the Laurence Olivier Awards. In 2006 is at the cinema with "Amazing Grace", in which she played William Pitt: the film tells the story of William Wilberforce, the leader of the movement against slavery that in 1807 he manages to get the abolition of the slave trade and, about twenty-five years later, the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. Thanks to this role, best British newcomer is nominated to Cumberbatch London Critics Circle Film Awards. After having starred in "The other Boleyn Girl", in 2007 he appeared in the television adaptation of the book "Stuart: A Life Backwards", alongside Tom Hardy; the following year, thanks to his efforts in "The Last Enemy", is nominated for outstanding lead actor in a miniseries for the Satellite Award. The most important industry Awards nomination does not stop: in 2009, when she starred in the film "Creation", dedicated to the life of Charles Darwin, Cumberbatch plays the role of Bernardo in the adaptation of "Small Island" for the small screen, and was again nominated for a Bafta; at the same period was also "Miss Marple is too easy", in which he impersonates Luke Fitzwilliam.

The years 2010

In 2010 Cumberbatch is part of the cast of "The Whistleblower", while at the theatre is at the Old Vic in London with "The Children's Monologues", directed by Danny Boyle and produced by Dramatic Need. During the same period, started acting in "Sherlock," tv series created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss for the Bbc, where the protagonist's face, the detective Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous character born from the pen. In 2011 is back on stage in the theater in an adaptation of "Frankenstein": at the Royal Natonal Theatre, plays alternately the monster and Dr. Frankenstein, alongside Jonny Lee Miller. To the movies instead, lend her face and voice to Peter Guillam in the big-screen adaptation of the novel "the mole", by John le Carre: Tom Hardy cast includes Gary Oldman, Colin Firth and, while it is directed by Tomas Alfredson. After having starred in "War Horse", directed by Steven Spielberg, at the end of "GQ" magazine 2011 Cumberbatch is appointed by the actor of the year. After having ended his relationship with Olivia Poulet, starts an affair with Anne James, London decorator, which, however, he separates already in 2012. In 2013 Benedict Cumberbatch is directed by J.J. Abrams in the sequel to "Star Trek": its role is to Khan/John Harrison, antagonist of the Enterprise. Subsequently, he is star of "the fifth power", Bill Condon's film that has the face of Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks. In November 2014, it is reported that Benedict will star in "Doctor Strange", a film which will be released in cinemas in 2016. At the same time, he announces his engagement to Sophie Hunter. Meanwhile, his worldwide fame is amplified due to its interpretation of the mathematician Alan Turing in the film by Morten Tyldum "The Imitation Game": a role that allows him to be nominated as best actor-drama for a Golden Globe and Academy Award for best actor.
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