Kenneth Cranham Biography

Fast Facts

• Trained in acting at the National Youth Theatre and at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
• One of his big breaks came when he appeared in Joe Orton's play "Loot," which played on the West End and on Broadway
• Became interested in acting during school, although he briefly considered going to an art school instead of a drama school
• Made his screen acting debut in an episode of the TV series "City 68'" in 1967
• His first big break came when he appeared in a radio play that playwright Joe Orton heard and which lead to Orton asking him to be in his play "The Ruffian on the Stair," and later, in "Loot․"
• Created the role of the Inspector in Stephen Daldry's remake of the play "An Inspector Calls," which he played more than 800 times at the National Theatre, on the West End, and on Broadway
• Best known for his role as the title character in "Shine on Harvey Moon" and Dr․ Philip Channard/Channard Cenobite in "Hellbound: Hellraiser II․"
• Has often worked with playwright Harold Pinter, appearing in five different incarnations of Pinter's 1965 play "The Homecoming․"
• His acting hero during drama school was Colin Blakely, whom he would later appear with in the two-hander play "The Dumb Waiter․"
• Has appeared in a number of stage productions, including "The Doctor's Dilemma," "Gaslight," and "Passion․"