Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw
6.5
Ben Whishaw photo 1 Ben Whishaw photo 2 Ben Whishaw photo 3 Ben Whishaw photo 4
Name:
Ben Whishaw
Real name:
Benjamin John Whishaw
Who is:
Birth date:
(45 y.o.)
Place of birth:
Clifton, Bedfordshire, UK
Height:
5'10 ft ( )
Relationship:
single
Birth Sign:
( characteristic )
Chinese zodiac:
Links:

Photos: Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw Biography

British actor Ben Whishaw shot to fame after bringing Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to life in "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" (2006). His refined appearance, dramatic abilities, and impressive range of roles have made Whishaw a star not only in British cinema but on the world stage.
Pictured: Ben Whishaw
Pictured: Ben Whishaw

Early Life

Benjamin John Whishaw was born alongside his twin brother on October 14, 1980, in Bedfordshire. Though Ben and James's parents didn't work in creative fields, they were theater enthusiasts like most Brits.
Ben Whishaw has a twin brother, but they don't look alike at all
Ben Whishaw has a twin brother, but they don't look alike at all
Ben showed his talents early on: he performed in school theater and sang in a band. After graduating, he enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the same institution that produced stars like Alan Rickman, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Michael Caine.
Ben Whishaw as a young man
Ben Whishaw as a young man
Ben made his film debut in 2000 while still a student at the Academy, appearing in Dom Rotheroe's drama "My Brother Tom." He played a teenager escaping from an abusive father. Critics immediately recognized Ben's exceptional dramatic abilities and predicted a bright future ahead.
Ben Whishaw in "My Brother Tom"
Ben Whishaw in "My Brother Tom"

Acting Career

After graduating from the Royal Academy in 2003, Whishaw joined the Old Vic's Royal National Theatre and quickly became one of the company's leading actors. His starring role in "If This Is a Man," based on Primo Levi's memoirs as an Auschwitz survivor, stands as one of Ben's most powerful theatrical performances.
Ben Whishaw on stage
Ben Whishaw on stage
While working in theater, Ben continued his film career. His most significant roles during this period include playing drug addict Sidney in "Layer Cake" (2004), alongside Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy, and portraying Keith Richards in "Stoned," about the life and mysterious death of Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones (played by Leo Gregory).
Ben Whishaw in "Stoned"
Ben Whishaw in "Stoned"
His theater work brought the young actor widespread recognition and numerous awards. His performance as Hamlet was hailed as the best since the legendary Laurence Olivier—and it's where Tom Tykwer discovered him. When the director acquired the rights to adapt Patrick Süskind's novel in 2005, he knew that bringing Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to the screen would require exceptional talent.
On the set of "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer"
On the set of "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer"
Tykwer had already cast Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman in major roles, but Grenouille remained uncast. After considering many established actors without finding the right fit, Tykwer saw Ben on stage and immediately knew he'd found his lead. The role would launch Whishaw to international stardom.

The pathetic yet magnificent Grenouille, looking equally natural in rags and gold-embroidered doublets, revealed the birth of a new star to the world. The film earned rave reviews and became one of the most striking events in cinema at the start of the 21st century. For this work, Ben Whishaw was awarded the European Film Award for Best Actor.
Ben Whishaw - star of British and world cinema
Ben Whishaw - star of British and world cinema
After "Perfume's" extraordinary success, Ben started getting tons of offers, but with a passion for art-house cinema rather than commercial fare, he approached the proposed roles selectively. In the 2007 surrealist drama "I'm Not There", dedicated to the legendary Bob Dylan, he played a role referencing French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
Ben Whishaw in "I'm Not There"
Ben Whishaw in "I'm Not There"
The following year, he played a bisexual aristocrat struggling with alcohol addiction in the drama "Brideshead Revisited". Ben's partners in these films were Christian Bale, Greta Scacchi, Heath Ledger, and Emma Thompson.
Ben Whishaw in "Brideshead Revisited"
Ben Whishaw in "Brideshead Revisited"
In the 2008 crime drama series "Criminal Justice", the actor played a young man accused of murdering a casual girlfriend he'd spent the night with. David Westhead played the father fighting for an acquittal for his wayward but innocent son, with Eddie Marsan and Pete Postlethwaite also starring in the series. The project attracted a massive audience, exposing problems in the modern British justice system and earning critical acclaim that highlighted Ben Whishaw's nuanced performance.
Ben Whishaw in the series "Criminal Justice"
Ben Whishaw in the series "Criminal Justice"
The actor's next triumph was playing the great poet John Keats in "Bright Star". Whishaw's portrayal of the genius dying of consumption while experiencing tender feelings for his beloved confirmed his unique gift for transformation and mastery. Abbie Cornish was the actor's partner in this piercing drama, with Paul Schneider also appearing in the film.
Ben Whishaw in the film "Bright Star"
Ben Whishaw in the film "Bright Star"
In the sci-fi epic "Cloud Atlas", the actor appeared in several different roles, joining Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, James D'Arcy, and Jim Broadbent.
Ben Whishaw and Jim Broadbent in "Cloud Atlas"
Ben Whishaw and Jim Broadbent in "Cloud Atlas"
That same year, the actor took the lead role in the historical drama "Richard II", based on Shakespeare's play of the same name, and played Q in the 23rd Bond film, with Daniel Craig as James Bond. The spy thriller also starred Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, and Judi Dench.
Ben Whishaw and Daniel Craig in "007: Skyfall"
Ben Whishaw and Daniel Craig in "007: Skyfall"
In the cyberpunk "The Zero Theorem" by brilliant American Terry Gilliam, Ben starred alongside Christoph Waltz, who played a mad computer genius, and David Thewlis.
Ben Whishaw in "The Zero Theorem"
Ben Whishaw in "The Zero Theorem"
2015 brought fans of Ben's talent several films featuring his work. Ben played the role of Sonny in the drama "Suffragette," dedicated to women's fight for civil rights. The suffragette roles were performed by Helena Bonham Carter, Carey Mulligan, and Meryl Streep.
Ben Whishaw in "Suffragette"
Ben Whishaw in "Suffragette"
In the historical film "In the Heart of the Sea," Ben played one of the crew members who faced a brutal ordeal after a sperm whale attacked their ship. That same year, the actor appeared in another James Bond action film, once again playing agent Q, and in the drama "The Danish Girl," which starred Eddie Redmayne and Matthias Schoenaerts.
Ben Whishaw in "London Spy"
Ben Whishaw in "London Spy"
In the miniseries "London Spy," Whishaw played Danny, a romantic young man far removed from political games who falls in love with the mysterious Alex. After his lover's death, Danny takes a dangerous step, attempting to unravel the espionage secrets of modern Britain.
SKYFALL | 007 Meets Q – Daniel Craig, Ben Whishaw | James Bond
In 2017, the actor lent his voice to the charming bear Paddington, and a year later starred in the political series "A Very English Scandal," in which he played the lover of the Liberal Party leader. Fearing exposure of the scandalous affair, the politician (Hugh Grant) decides to kill his young lover.

In 2018, Ben joined the cast of "Mary Poppins Returns" starring Emily Blunt in the title role. He played the grown-up ward of the practically perfect nanny – Michael Banks.
A shot from the movie "Mary Poppins Returns"
A shot from the movie "Mary Poppins Returns"
In 2019, the actor appeared in the Charles Dickens adaptation "The Personal History of David Copperfield" alongside Tilda Swinton, Dev Patel, and Hugh Laurie.

2020 brought "Surge", where Ben Whishaw took the lead role as Joseph, a mild-mannered airport security officer living a joyless existence. One day he snaps and tears through London on a spree that starts with petty offenses and escalates to serious crimes. The performance earned him the jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Notably, Ben Whishaw developed the screenplay with director Aneil Karia over six years.
Ben Whishaw in the movie "Surge"
Ben Whishaw in the movie "Surge"
In October 2021, the long-delayed premiere of the 25th Bond film "No Time to Die" finally arrived. Whishaw returned as Q, the tech wizard who supplies Agent 007 with cutting-edge gadgets.
A shot from the movie "No Time to Die"
A shot from the movie "No Time to Die"
In May 2022, production began on "Limonov: The Ballad of Eddie" about Russian writer and political figure Eduard Limonov. Ben Whishaw landed the lead role. The film was directed by Kirill Serebrennikov, marking his English-language debut. Limonov's wife was played by Viktoria Miroshnichenko.

In May 2023, Whishaw picked up his third BAFTA TV award for the lead role in medical drama "This Is Going to Hurt" – he played exhausted doctor Adam Kay working in a hospital. Critics unanimously praised his performance as brilliant.
Ben Whishaw in doctor's scrubs holding a medical instrument, still from the series This Is Going to Hurt
Ben Whishaw in the series "This Is Going to Hurt"
Source: IMDb
Around that time, he was filming the short "Good Boy" at the Glastonbury Festival. This directorial debut from Tom Stewart featured Whishaw alongside Marion Bailey in a bank robbery attempt that doesn't go according to plan.

A standout moment came with Ira Sachs' provocative film "Passages", released the same year. In this emotional drama, Ben played Martin, the husband of a volatile German filmmaker who suddenly begins an affair with a woman. The film earned four Independent Spirit Awards nominations, including Best Supporting Male for Ben.

Work wrapped on "Limonov: The Ballad" around the same time. The film made it into competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where it sparked divided reactions: some praised the bold direction and Ben's charisma, while others felt the movie romanticized a controversial figure too much.
Ben Whishaw in a long wig and aviator glasses, still from Limonov
Ben Whishaw in "Limonov: The Ballad"
Source: IMDb
Between all these projects, Ben managed to return to the stage. In September 2024, he performed in Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot" at Theatre Royal Haymarket for the first time in 25 years. It was a dream come true. When Ben was 18, he saw the play at Barbican Theatre and quit art college the next day, deciding to become an actor.

Ben Whishaw's Personal Life

Ben always knew he was attracted to men, but by his own admission, he was too shy to be open about it.

Meeting Australian composer Mark Bradshaw during the filming of "Bright Star," the John Keats biopic, pushed Ben to come out publicly. The two lived together from 2009 in a civil partnership, but kept the details of their life private.
Ben Whishaw and Mark Bradshaw
Ben Whishaw and Mark Bradshaw
The relationship ended in 2022. Demanding work schedules and constant travel simply eroded what they once had. The split was amicable – they even continued living together for a while, both seeing other people.

Ben found new love in 2023. That summer, he was spotted in Greece with actor Kadiff Kirwan, his co-star from "This Is Going to Hurt." Kadiff played Dr. Julian, Ben's character's rival.
Ben Whishaw and Kadiff Kirwan take a selfie
Ben Whishaw and Kadiff Kirwan
Source: Reddit
In December 2024, on Jessie Ware's "Table Manners" podcast, Kirwan called Ben his "other half." But even after that, neither Ben nor Kadiff have officially commented on their relationship. Both are known for fiercely guarding their private lives from press and fans.

Ben loves talking about his hobbies: he gardens, travels, and reads.

Ben Whishaw Now

Netflix dropped the spy thriller "Black Doves" at the end of 2024, with Ben Whishaw as its star. He transformed into Sam Young, a refined assassin and champagne lover with a dark past who returns to London to protect an old spy friend played by Keira Knightley. The series got renewed for a second season before it even premiered – unprecedented for director Joe Barton. Season two filming kicked off in late September 2025.
Ben Whishaw with long hair in a coat holding a gun
Ben Whishaw in "Black Doves"
Source: IMDb
February 2025 saw the world premiere of Ira Sachs's "Peter Hujar's Day." Ben played legendary photographer Peter Hujar in a film capturing a single day in the famous artist's life. The actor admitted he'd long admired Hujar's work, but preparing for the role proved challenging – no video footage of the photographer exists, so he had to rely solely on memories from people who knew him.

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