Biography
This page uses content from the Ben Whishaw biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.
Ben Whishaw, born 14 October 1980, is an English actor. He is a graduate of RADA. Whishaw is best known for his breakthrough role as Hamlet and is turning up on several film projects including Tom Tykwer's Perfume: The Story of a Murderer and the new Bob Dylan biopic, I'm Not There.
Biography
Background and early theatre work
Wishaw grew up in Bedfordshire, and attended the Bancroft Players Youth Theatre at Hitchin's Queen Mother Theatre.
During his time with the group, he first rose to prominence during collaborations with their offshoot theatre company, Big Spirit. He was involved in many productions - perhaps most notably, If This Is A Man (also performed as The Drowned & The Saved).
This was a piece devised by the company based on the book of the same name by Primo Levi, one of the few survivors of Nazi prisoner of war camps in World War II. This harrowing and moving book was adapted into a physical theatre piece by the group and taken to the 1995 Edinburgh Festival where it garnered 5-star reviews and great critical acclaim.
Whishaw played the character of Levi in this and subsequent productions of the show.
Hamlet and breaking into the movie biz
As the lead in Trevor Nunn's 2004 young-cast production of Hamlet at the Old Vic, he received highly favourable reviews. The role was shared with Al Weaver in an unusual arrangement that saw Whishaw playing all nights except for Mondays and matinées. Nunn is reported to have made this arrangement due to the youth of the two actors playing the lead, to relieve some of the pressure on each. It was Whishaw, however, who featured most prominently in the marketing materials and in the majority of reviews.
Whishaw's film and TV credits include Layer Cake and Chris Morris's 2005 sitcom Nathan Barley, in which he played a character called Pingu. He was named 'Most Promising Newcomer' at the 2001 British Independent Film Awards (for My Brother Tom) and, in 2005, nominated as best actor in four award ceremonies for his Hamlet.
In the spring of 2005, Whishaw received lots of press for his turn as a drug dealer in Philip Ridley's post-apocalyptic fringe play Mercury Fur. Fur was notable especially for the fact that at every performance, at least six audience members walked out of the brash and violent play. Whishaw followed up this role with an equally challenging and controversial role in Perfume.
Current projects
Whishaw has just wrapped Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, the highly anticipated adaptation of the German novel of the same title, directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) and starring Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman. Whishaw plays the lead role of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a perfume maker whose craft turns deadly. The film was released in Germany in September 2006, and will be released in the U.S. in December (presumably so it can be considered for the Golden Globes and Oscar races).
He has also just signed on to play Bob Dylan in Todd Haynes' new biopic, according to Variety. The odd project will feature at least nine actors, including several woman, to play Dylan at different stages in his life. No word yet on what facet Whishaw will be portraying. The film will also star Heath Ledger (who replaced Colin Farrell), Michelle Williams, Christian Bale, Richard Gere, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Adrien Brody.
Filmography
- 1999 - The Trench
- 1999 - The Escort (Mauvaise passe)
- 2000 - Other People's Children (TV series)
- 2001 - Baby (Short film)
- 2001 - My Brother Tom
- 2003 - Ready When You Are Mr. McGill (TV)
- 2003 - The Booze Cruise (TV series)
- 2003 - 77 Beds (short film)
- 2004 - The Merchant of Venice
- 2004 - Enduring Love
- 2004 - Layer Cake
- 2005 - Nathan Barley (TV series)
- 2005 - Stoned
- 2006 - Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
- 2007 - I'm Not There
External links
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