Derek Jacobi Biography

Fast Facts

• Began performing on the stage while attending an all-boys school, playing female parts until his voice changed
• Continued in school productions while studying history at the University of Cambridge
• A leading performance in Edward II earned him professional jobs after graduation
• Portrayal of Henry VIII impressed Laurence Olivier, who invited him to become one of the founding members of the newly formed National Theatre
• After numerous stage and screen appearances, breakthrough role came as the stammering emperor in the 1976 television series I, Claudius
• Gained international attention in Kenneth Branagh's film productions of Shakespeare's Henry V (1989) and Hamlet (1996) as well as his thriller Dead Again (1991)
• His Doctor Who work includes performing on an audio drama and a webcast, and playing Professor Yana in the episode of the TV series titled "Utopia
• " Shortly after civil unions were granted in England in 2005, legalized his 27-year relationship with actor Richard Clifford
• Has the rare distinction of attaining both Danish and British knighthood