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Colin Firth

A classically trained British theater actor, Colin Firth is a veteran of film, television and stage. Firth first charmed American audiences when he starred opposite Renee Zellwegger in the hit British comedy BRIDGET JONES' DIARY and continues to captivate audiences around the world.

In 2006 Firth appeared in the BBC's BORN EQUAL, directed by Dominic Savage (OUT OF CONTROL). The film, which was shot with improvised dialogue, follows a wealthy business man (Firth) as he struggles to help the less fortunate and finds himself inevitably drawn into their lives. Next for Firth was the independent film AND WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER opposite Jim Broadbent for Number 9 films. Based on the best selling memoir by Blake Morrison, the story follows a father and son's tumultuous relationship. Coming up in 2007 for Firth is the remake of the popular 1954 film ST. TRINIAN'S, where he will star alongside Rupert Everett, Lena Heady and Mischa Barton.

Firth appeared in the film NANNY MCPHEE with his Last Legion co-star, Thomas Sangster, which was written by and also starred Emma Thompson. He also appeared in Atom Egoyan's controversial film WHERE THE TRUTH LIES opposite Kevin Bacon. Adapted from the acclaimed novel by the same name, the story is a dark thriller about the breakup of a celebrated comedy duo surrounding a mysterious murder and the journalist (Alison Lohman) who seeks to uncover the mystery. The film screened in competition at the 2005 Cannes International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Also in 2005, Firth starred in the Universal/Working Title hit BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON. Firth reprised his role as Mark Darcy opposite Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant in the film, which is based on Helen Fielding's best-selling novel. The film broke numerous box office records internationally and grossed over 250 million dollars worldwide.

In 2004, Firth appeared in the critically-acclaimed film GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING opposite Scarlett Johanssen. Based on the best selling novel by Tracy Chevalier, Firth portrayed the 17th century artist Johannes. GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING screened at the Telluride Film Festival, the Toronto Film Festival, the Hollywood Film Festival, the London Film Festival and the San Sebastian Film Festival. The film won both the L'Hitchcock D'Or and the L'Hitchcock d'Argent at the Dinard Festival of British Films. Firth was nominated for a European Film Award for his performance in the film.

The previous year Firth appeared in the Universal film LOVE ACTUALLY, written and directed by Richard Curtis (FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, NOTTING HILL). He appeared in the film with an outstanding ensemble cast including Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Liam Neeson, Laura Linney and Keira Knightley. At the time of its release, LOVE ACTUALLY broke box office records as the highest grossing British romantic comedy opening of all time in the UK and Ireland and is the largest opening in the history of Working Title Films to date.

In 2002, Firth was seen starring opposite Rupert Everett and Reese Witherspoon in the Miramax Film, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. Prior to that, Firth appeared in the Academy Award nominated film SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE directed by John Madden. Firth portrayed Lord Wessex, the evil husband to Violet De Lesseps, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.

In 1996, Firth appeared in the multi-Oscar nominated film, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, opposite Kristen Scott Thomas and Ralph Fiennes. His other film credits include the Marc Evans thriller TRAUMA, WHAT A GIRL WANTS, HOPE SPRINGS, RELATIVE VALUES, A THOUSAND ACRES, with Michelle Pfeiffer and Jessica Lange, APARTMENT ZERO, MY LIFE SO FAR, THE SECRET LAUGHTER OF WOMEN, Nick Hornby's FEVER PITCH, CIRCLE OF FRIENDS, PLAYMAKER, and the title role in Milos Forman's VALMONT opposite Annette Bening.

On the small screen, Firth is infamous for his breakout role in 1995, when he played Mr. Darcy in the BBC adaptation of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE for which he received a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor. In March 2004, Firth hosted NBC's legendary series SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 2001 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in the critically acclaimed HBO film CONSPIRACY and has also received the Royal Television Society Best Actor Award and a BAFTA nomination for his work in TUMBLEDOWN. His other television credits include CELEBRATION, WINDMILLS ON THE CLYDE: MAKING DONOVAN QUICK, DONOVAN QUICK, THE WIDOWING OF MRS. HOLROYD, DEEP BLUE SEA, HOSTAGES, and the mini-series NOSTROMO. His London stage debut was in the West End production of 'Another Country' playing Benett. He was then chosen to play the character Judd in the 1984 film adaptation opposite Rupert Everett.

Firth is an active supporter of Oxfam International, an organization dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world. He is a Co-director of Oxfam's Café Progreso, a chain of coffee bars founded with the intention of creating fair trade opportunities for coffee cooperatives in Ethiopia, Honduras and Indonesia.

Colin Firth resides in London, England.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2007.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Colin Firth Facts

OccupationActor
BirthdaySeptember 10, 1960 (63)
SignVirgo
BirthplaceGrayshott, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom
Height6' 1½" (1m87)  How tall is Colin Firth compared to you?
Awards2011 Academy Awards: Best Actor (for The King's Speech)
2011 Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama (for The King's Speech)
2011 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Best Male Actor in a Leading Role (for The King's Speech)
2011 BAFTA Awards: Actor in a Leading Role (for The King's Speech)
2010 BAFTA Awards: Actor in a Leading Role (for A Single Man)

Selected Filmography

Conspiracy
Bridget Jones's Baby
Shakespeare In Love
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Mamma Mia! The Movie
The Bank Job
Love Actually
Genius
The King's Speech
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