Joseph Marcell Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for a TV Land Award for Best Broadcast Butler for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in 2004
• Trained in acting by taking lessons from Nina Finbergh at age 18 and then joining the American company Shakespeare and Company
• Joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1972 and spoke his first line in a production of "Coriolanus․"
• Wanted to become an actor after seeing "Black New World" during World Theatre Season in Aldwych, London
• Quote: "(On "Fresh Prince"): "They came and found me and decided to make me famous․․․For a classically trained actor to get a part in 'Fresh Prince' through Shakespeare․․․was sheer luck and grace but meant that people are willing to take chances on me․""
• Best known for his role as Geoffrey the Butler in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air․"
• Has performed in a number of Shakespeare plays, including "King Lear," "Much Ado About Nothing," and "As You Like It․"
• Had a guest role on the 1988 "Doctor Who" serial "Remembrance of the Daleks․"
• Has served as a member of the board of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London
• Originally wanted to be a metallurgist or electrical engineer, and was training in the industry before becoming an actor