English actor and producer Colin Andrew Firth was born 64 years ago in Grayshott, Hampshire, is divorced and has 3 children.
As a kid, Colin spent some of his childhood years in other countries, namely Nigeria and the US, due to his parents’ jobs. Back to England, he went to secondary school and also attended drama workshops when he was 10 years old. He hated school, but when he went to college, there was a very energetic English Literature teacher who greatly inspired Colin who started loving this subject and helped him proceed with his studies. Afterwards, Firth moved to London and joined a youth theatre, got a job and furthered his studies in a drama school.
In 1983, Colin performed in the theatrical play ‘Hamlet’ and the following year debuted in the movie ‘Another Country’ alongside actor Rupert Everett. Until the mid-90s, Firth starred in about 20 movies and TV films such as ‘The Secret Garden’, ‘Valmont’, ‘Femme Fatale’, ‘Playmaker’ and ‘Circle of Friends’. In 1995, he made a career breakthrough and became surprisingly famous when he interpreted the character of Fitzwilliam Darcy in the the TV mini-series ‘Pride & Prejudice’, which was very successful worldwide.
In the last 3 decades, Firth continued with his acting career and appeared in over 60 movies, 13 TV productions and 2 theatrical plays. Some of the most significant, popular films include ‘The English Patient’, ‘Bridget Jones’ trilogy, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, ‘Love Actually’, ‘Mamma Mia!’, ‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘The King’s Speech’, ‘Gambit’, ‘Conspiracy’, ‘Fourplay’ and ‘The Staircase’. He is presently filming the upcoming TV series ‘Young Sherlock’.
Apart from acting, Colin has published a couple of books and is also an active philanthropist who supports several charitable institutions, particularly regarding tribal people’s rights and global poverty.
During his career so far, Colin received 11 awards amongst which there are an Academy, a Golden Globe, 3 Screen Actors Guild and a British Academy Film. Firth received an honorary doctorate from Winchester University and was also awarded an honorary fellowship from London University of Arts. In 2011, for his services to drama, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire and also received a star from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The following year, Colin was made Freeman of the City of London.
*Image: no infringement intended. Source: fandango.com