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Ralph Fiennes Biography

Birth Name:Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes

Birth Place:Ipswich, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Director, Camera department

Fast Facts

  • Patron to the Constant Gardener Trust, a charity that funds basic education to slums in Kenya
  • The Literary and Historical Society presented him with the James Joyce Award in 2007
  • Won the 2001 William Shakespeare Award from the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D․C
  • As a UNICEF UK ambassador, has done charitable work in India, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda and Romania
  • Received a 2014 lifetime achievement award at the Göteborg Festival in Sweden
  • Attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
  • Born to photographer Mark and writer Jennifer Fiennes
  • Is the brother of director Martha Fiennes
  • Is the older brother of fellow actor Joseph Fiennes
  • Made his West End debut with his role in "Brand" in 2003
  • Quote: "The process of making a film is a mad lottery․ Whenever you get the feeling that you're making something special, you have to quickly squash it because you are so often proved wrong․"
  • Has been known to play villains who are both sadistic and uncompromising
  • Has played a number of mysterious characters with unknown pasts
  • Decided that he was playing the evil wizard Voldemort correctly in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" when he realized that the children watching the filming were scared of him
  • Is an eighth cousin of Charles, Prince of Wales

Awards

  • 1993ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1993BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1993LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1993NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1994Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1994BAFTA Film Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 1994CFCA Award-Most Promising Actor: nominated
  • 1994CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1994DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1994MTV Movie Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: nominated
  • 1994NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1995ALFS Award-British Actor of the Year: winner
  • 1996Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1996ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actor: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
  • 1997SEFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 1998Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
  • 1998Stinker Award-Worst Actor: nominated
  • 1999Annie-Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
  • 1999European Film Award-European Actor: winner
  • 1999OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Film Award-Best Family Actor: nominated
  • 1999Razzie Award-Worst Actor: nominated
  • 1999Razzie Award-Worst Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2000BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2000Genie-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2001ALFS Award-British Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2002EFA People's Choice Award-Best European Actor: nominated
  • 2003Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2003Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2003ALFS Award-British Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2003Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Liplock: nominated
  • 2003VVFP Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2004Chainsaw Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2005British Independent Film Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Annie-Best Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
  • 2006BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2006Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006INOCA-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006ALFS Award-British Actor of the Year: winner
  • 2006MTV Movie Award-Best Villain: nominated
  • 2006OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Teen Choice Award-Movie - Choice Rumble: nominated
  • 2006Teen Choice Award-Movies - Choice Sleazebag: nominated
  • 2006WIN Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2007Scream Award-Most Vile Villain: winner
  • 2008British Independent Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008British Independent Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor: nominated
  • 2008Golden Nymph-Television Films - Best Performance by an Actor: nominated
  • 2008OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2008Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2009ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2009Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: winner
  • 2009ICS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2009IFTA Award-Best International Actor: nominated
  • 2009ALFS Award-British Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2009WAFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2010DFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2011Golden Berlin Bear-: nominated
  • 2011Douglas Hickox Award-: nominated
  • 2011IFJA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2011Scream Award-Best Villain: winner
  • 2011Bronze Horse-Best Film: nominated
  • 2011Yoga Award-Worst Foreign Actor: winner
  • 2012Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012BAFTA Film Award-Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer: nominated
  • 2012Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2012MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
  • 2012OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Fight: winner
  • 2013EDA Special Mention Award-Most Egregious Age Difference Between the Leading Man and the Love Interest: nominated
  • 2014Felix-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2014ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2014DFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2014DFCC-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014FFCC Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2014Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2014IFJA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2014ICP Award-Best Lead Actor: winner
  • 2014Halfway Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2014OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
  • 2014SDFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2014SEFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2014TFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014UFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2014WAFCA Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
  • 2015COFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2015CinEuphoria-Best Actor - International Competition: nominated
  • 2015Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy Movie: nominated
  • 2015CCOP-Best Actor (Melhor Actor): nominated
  • 2015DFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2015GAFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2015GAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2015Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2015ICS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2015INOCA-Best Actor: winner
  • 2015IOFCP Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2015NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2015Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016Golden Unicorn Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2016IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016ICP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016Halfway Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016TFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2016VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017Felix-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2017BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2017Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2017Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 2018BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2018Tokyo Grand Prix-Best Film: nominated
  • 2018Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Artistic Contribution: winner
  • 2019Lost Weekend Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2019Golden Unicorn Award-Best Foreign Film with a Russian Connection: nominated
  • 2020Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble of the Decade: nominated
  • 2020National Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2021Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2022IFJA Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2022NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2022VHS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2023CinEuphoria-Best Actor - International Competition: nominated
  • 2023COFCA Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2023CCA Super Award-Best Actor in a Horror Movie: winner
  • 2023DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2023Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2023Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2023HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2023ICFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2023ALFS Award-British/Irish Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2023SDFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2023Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2024Saturn Award-Best Actor in a Film: nominated
  • 2024Astra Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2024DFCC-Best Actor: winner
  • 2024European Film Award-European Actor: nominated
  • 2024FFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024IFJA Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2024Sierra Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024NYFCO Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024OAFFC Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2024PCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2024SDFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024SFBAFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024SFCS Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
  • 2024SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2024TFCA Award-Outstanding Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2024FCA Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2024WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actor in Film: winner
  • 2025Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2025EDA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025AFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actor: nominated
  • 2025BOFA-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025CinEuphoria-Best Actor - International Competition: nominated
  • 2025CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: nominated
  • 2025COFCA Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2025Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025DFCS Award-Best Lead Performance by an Actor, Male: nominated
  • 2025DFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025Chainsaw Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2025GAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: winner
  • 2025Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2025Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2025Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: winner
  • 2025HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025HFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2025ICFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025IFTA Award-Best International Actor: winner
  • 2025KCFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025LEJA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: winner
  • 2025MNFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025MCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025NDFS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025NDFS Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2025OFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2025OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2025OFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2025Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
  • 2025PCA Award-Best Male Leading Role: nominated
  • 2025PCA Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
  • 2025Outstanding Performer of the Year Award-: winner
  • 2025Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
  • 2025UFCA Award-Best Lead Performance, Male: nominated
  • 2025WFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2026CinEuphoria-Best Supporting Actor - International Competition: nominated