Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Benedict Cumberbatch Biography

Birth Name:Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch

Birth Place:Hammersmith, London, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Benedict Cumberbatch received the Order of the British Empire Award in 2015 from Queen Elizabeth II
He has received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations, as well as a BAFTA nomination
Often supports The Prince's Trust, an organization aimed at helping disadvantaged youths receive jobs, education and training
Won a Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year in 2013
Won a Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film for "Sherlock" in 2012
Won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in the 2011 play "Frankenstein․"
Spent a year at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
Studied drama at the University of Manchester
Born to actors Timothy Carolton and Wanda Ventham
Made his West End debut with his role in "Hedda Gabler" in 2005
Spent a year teaching English at a Tibetan monastery before training to become an actor
Made his screen acting debut in the TV movie "Fields of Gold" in 2002
Quote: "It still makes me giggle that I'm paid to act, let alone doing the kind of work I'm doing at this level and having actual choices․"
Quote: "I've been very lucky at what's happened in my career to date, but playing something as far from me as possible is an ambition of mine ․․․ I'd love to have a really broad sweep of characters․"
Quote: "Should it all end tomorrow, I can definitely say there would be no regrets․ I am very lucky, and I know it․ I really have lived 5,000 times over․"
Became a brand ambassador for Jaguar in 2014
Benedict Cumberbatch was kidnapped in South Africa
Voiced the character Angel Islington in the BBC Radio version of "Neverwhere" in 2013
Benedict Cumberbatch's parents on Sherlock are also his parents in real life
Well-known for his Alan Rickman impersonation, which he has demonstrated on both "The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon" and "The Simpsons․"

Awards

2004Golden Nymph-Television Films - Best Performance by an Actor: winner
2005BAFTA TV Award-Best Actor: nominated
2006Golden Nymph-Mini-Series - Best Performance by an Actor: winner
2008ALFS Award-British Breakthrough - Acting: nominated
2008Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2010BAFTA TV Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2010Dagger-Best Leading Actor: winner
2010Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2011BAFTA TV Award-Best Actor: nominated
2011British Independent Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2011Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actor: winner
2011National Television Award-Most Popular Drama Performance: nominated
2011OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2011TV Quick Award-Best Actor: nominated
2012ACCA TV-Best Actor (TV Movie or Mini-Series): nominated
2012BAFTA TV Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
2012COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2012Dagger-Best Leading Actor: winner
2012Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries: winner
2012Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actor: winner
2012IGN Award-Best TV Hero: nominated
2012IGN Award-Best TV Actor: winner
2012INOCA TV-Best Performance in a Miniseries or TV Movie: winner
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2012TV Quick Award-Best Actor: winner
2013Britannia Award-British Artist of the Year: winner
2013BFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2013Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actor: winner
2013Capri Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
2013Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries: nominated
2013Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actor: nominated
2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2013Hollywood Film Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
2013Halfway Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013National Television Award-Most Popular Male Drama Performance: nominated
2013NFCS Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2013OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2013PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2013PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2013WAFCA Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2014Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2014ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2014BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: winner
2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
2014British Independent Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
2014CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
2014Dagger-Best Leading Actor: nominated
2014Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries: nominated
2014DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014DFCC-Best Actor: nominated
2014Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2014Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2014Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actor: nominated
2014Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2014EuroCinema Hawai'i Award-Best Actor: winner
2014Hollywood Film Award-Actor of the Year: winner
2014ICP Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2014MTV Movie Award-Favorite Character: nominated
2014MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
2014Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actor in a Television Film: nominated
2014National Television Award-Radio Times - TV Detective: winner
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2014PCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
2014Georges Award-Best Foreign Villain of the Year: nominated
2014Georges Award-Best Foreign Villain of the Year: nominated
2014Georges Award-Best Foreign Villain of the Year: nominated
2014Georges Award-Best Foreign Duo of the Year: nominated
2014SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2014SFFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
2014Individual Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014TV Quick Award-Best Actor: winner
2014Teen Choice Award-Choice Animated Movie: Voice: nominated
2014UFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2015Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2015BAFTA TV Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
2015BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
2015Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Lead Actor (Mejor Actor): nominated
2015COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
2015Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year - Actor: nominated
2015Empire Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2015HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015IOFCP Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2015IFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015IFTA Award-Best International Actor: winner
2015IOMA-Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista): nominated
2015ALFS Award-British Actor of the Year: nominated
2015ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
2015National Film Award-Best Actor: winner
2015National Television Award-Outstanding Drama Performance: nominated
2015OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2015Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
2015Georges Award-Best Foreign Hero of the Year: winner
2015Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2015VFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in an Action Movie: nominated
2016Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
2016OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie: nominated
2016Georges Award-Best Foreign Hero of the Year: nominated
2016Audience Award-Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro): winner
2016Individual Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017BAFTA TV Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
2017Palmarés blogos de oro-Best Actor in a TV show (Mejor Actor en una serie): winner
2017Empire Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actor: nominated
2017OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: nominated
2017TV Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2017Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Fantasy: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: nominated
2018Gold Derby TV Award-Movie/Limited Series Actor: nominated
2018INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie: nominated
2018National Film and Television Award-Best Actor: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: nominated
2018Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2019BAFTA TV Award-Best Leading Actor: winner
2019Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actor: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor of the Decade: nominated
2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2019HFCS Award-Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance: nominated
2019Blimp Award-Favorite Male Voice from an Animated Movie: nominated
2019Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2019The BAM Award-Best Cast: nominated
2020Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble of the Decade: nominated
2021AFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2021BOFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2021CFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2021DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2021DFCC-Best Actor: winner
2021FFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021GWNYFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021IFJA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021ICP Award-Best Performance: winner
2021Sierra Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021LAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021NFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
2021NYFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2021NYFCO Award-Best Actor: winner
2021PFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2021PCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2021PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2021PCA Award-Best Male Leading Role: winner
2021SEFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2021SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021VHS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021WFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actor: winner
2022Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2022Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2022EDA Award-Best Actor: winner
2022AFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
2022BOFA-Best Actor: winner
2022CIC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: winner
2022CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
2022CinEuphoria-Best Actor - International Competition: nominated
2022COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: winner
2022COFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2022Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022DFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
2022DFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Dorian Award-Film Performance of the Year: nominated
2022Días de Cine Award-Best Foreign Actor: winner
2022GAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
2022Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2022Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2022Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2022HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022HCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022HFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
2022ICFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022ICS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022IFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2022LEJA Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2022ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: winner
2022ALFS Award-British/Irish Actor of the Year: nominated
2022MNFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022MCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022NCFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2022NDFS Award-Best Actor: winner
2022OFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2022OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: winner
2022OFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
2022Audience Award-Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro): winner
2022SDFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022SFBAFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2022Sant Jordi-Best Actor in a Foreign Film (Millor actor en pel·lícula estrangera): winner
2022Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: winner
2022SFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022SFCS Award-Best Villain: winner
2022TFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
2023CCA Super Award-Best Actor in a Superhero Movie: nominated