Jeremy Swift Biography

Fast Facts

• Studied drama at the Guildford Drama School from 1978 to 1981
• Became interested in acting during school, where he would often lose interest in other subjects but was always excited about drama
• Made his screen acting debut in the film "Fords on Water" in 1983
• Began his career on the stage and performed throughout the 1980s in theater and television commercials
• Quote: "[on why he likes acting] "It is the expression of performance; sometimes the bursting out of an English placidity, and the chance to find yourself in scenarios that you would never find yourself in in real life․""
• Quote: "[on "Downhill"] "The project was very exciting because it had a great script, but we were allowed to tinker with it and do versions of scenes: that is how I would ideally like to work all of the time․""
• Best known for playing Mr․ Bumble in 2005's "Oliver Twist" and Arthur in "Gosford Park․"
• Has had a recurring role as Spratt on the hit series "Downton Abbey" since 2013