Ben Kingsley

Ben Kingsley

Ben Kingsley at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival
Name	Ben Kingsley
Birth name
Birth date	Birth date -1st March 1966
Birth place	Snainton, North Riding of Yorkshire, England
Death date
Death place
Alma mater
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1966–present
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Ben Kingsley (born Krishna Pandit Bhanji; 31 December 1943) is an English actor with a career spanning over five decades. He is known for his versatile roles in both film and television, and he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, a BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Early Life

Ben Kingsley was born in Snainton, North Riding of Yorkshire, England. His father, Rahimtulla Harji Bhanji, was a doctor of Indian descent, and his mother, Anna Lyna Mary, was an actress and model of English and European Jewish descent. Kingsley attended Manchester Grammar School and later studied at Pendleton College and De La Salle College in Salford, where he developed an interest in acting.

Career

Early Career

Kingsley began his acting career in the theatre, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967. He made his London West End theatre debut in 1966 and quickly established himself as a talented stage actor.

Breakthrough and Film Career

Kingsley's breakthrough role came in 1982 when he portrayed Mahatma Gandhi in the film Gandhi, directed by Richard Attenborough. His performance earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, catapulting him to international fame.

Following Gandhi, Kingsley appeared in a variety of films, showcasing his range as an actor. Notable films include Schindler's List (1993), Sexy Beast (2000), House of Sand and Fog (2003), and Hugo (2011).

Recent Work

In recent years, Kingsley has continued to work in both film and television. He played the role of Trevor Slattery in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Iron Man 3 (2013) and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021). He also starred in the television series Perpetual Grace, LTD (2019).

Personal Life

Kingsley has been married four times and has four children. He was knighted in 2002 for his services to the British film industry.

Legacy

Ben Kingsley is widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation. His ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity has earned him critical acclaim and a lasting legacy in the world of cinema.

Also see

• List of British Academy Award winners and nominees
• Royal Shakespeare Company
• Gandhi (film)
• Schindler's List