Ralph Fiennes

Cast · Director · Writer

Born

December 22, 1962 · Ipswich, Suffolk, England, UK

Birth name

Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes

“You don’t play villains like they are villains. You play them like you see them, and you try to make them human beings.” Ralph Fiennes is a distinguished English actor known for his versatile and nuanced performances. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he joined London's National Theatre in 1987 and the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1989. His career began with a television role in A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia (1991) and his film debut in Wuthering Heights (1992). Fiennes gained prominence with his role as a Nazi commandant in Schindler’s List (1993), earning an Academy Award nomination and solidifying his film career. He continued to receive critical acclaim for Quiz Show (1994) and The English Patient (1996), earning another Oscar nomination. Fiennes won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Hamlet in the 1995 Broadway production. His career includes a wide range of roles, such as a novelist in The End of the Affair (1999), a serial killer in Red Dragon (2002), and a widower in The Constant Gardener (2005). He gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, as well as roles in Clash of the Titans (2010), Skyfall (2012), and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). Fiennes has also showcased his comedic skills in A Bigger Splash (2015) and Holmes & Watson (2018), and his dramatic range in Official Secrets (2019). In addition to acting, Fiennes has directed several films: Coriolanus (2011), The Invisible Woman (2013), and The White Crow (2018). His voice work includes roles in animated films such as The Prince of Egypt (1998) and The LEGO Movies (2017, 2019). Fiennes continues to be a prominent and versatile figure in film and theatre.