The fame of British actor Ben Whishaw skyrocketed after he portrayed the character of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in the drama film "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" (2006). With his sophisticated appearance, dramatic abilities, and wide range of roles in film, Whishaw has become a star not only in British cinema but also on the world.
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Actor Ben Whishaw
Childhood
Benjamin John Whishaw was born on October 14, 1980, in Bedfordshire, along with his twin brother. Although his parents Jose and Linda were not involved in the creative professions, they had a passion for the theater.
Ben Whishaw has a twin brother, but they don’t look alike
Ben demonstrated his talents from an early age: he performed in school theater productions and sang in a band. After finishing school, he was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, which has produced such world-renowned actors as Alan Rickman, Anthony Hopkins, and Michael Caine.
Ben Whishaw in his youth
Ben made his film debut in the drama "My Brother Tom" in 2000, while still a student at the Academy. In the film, he played a teenager who runs away from his abusive father. Critics at the time already recognized his extraordinary dramatic abilities and had no doubt that a brilliant future awaited him.
Ben Whishaw in the film My Brother Tom
Acting Career
After graduating from the Royal Academy in 2003, Ben joined the Royal National Theatre at the Old Vic and quickly became one of the leading actors in the company. One of his most poignant works in the theater was his leading role in the play "If This Is a Man," based on the memoirs of Primo Levi, a former prisoner of Auschwitz.
Ben Whishaw on stage
While performing in the play, Ben continued to work in film. Among his notable works during this period were his portrayal of the drug addict, Sidney, in the drama "Layer Cake" (2004), which also starred Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy, and his role as Keith Richards in the rock-and-roll film "Stoned," which was dedicated to the life and mysterious death of Rolling Stones co-founder Brian Jones, played by Leo Gregory.
Ben Wishaw in Stoned
Ben’s work in the theater brought him popularity and numerous awards. His portrayal of Hamlet was hailed as the best since the great Laurence Olivier, and it was in this production that Tom Tykwer first saw him. After securing the rights to create a film adaptation of Patrick Süskind’s novel "Perfume," Tykwer knew that bringing the character of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to life on screen would be a formidable challenge for any actor.
On the set of the film Perfume
Tykwer had already cast Alan Rickman and Dustin Hoffman for the film’s main roles, but the character of Grenouille still remained uncast. Despite considering many well-known actors, Tykwer could not find the right fit. However, after seeing Ben perform on stage, he immediately decided to offer him the role that would bring him worldwide recognition.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) - Interview with Ben Whishaw
Grenouille, who was both pitiful and majestic, looked natural whether in rags or in a golden embroidered coat, and he marked the birth of a new star in the world of cinema. The film received rave reviews and became one of the most significant events in the early 21st century. For his performance, Ben Whishaw was honored with the European Film Award for Best Actor.
Ben Whishaw - a star of British and world cinema
After the extraordinary success of "Perfume," Ben began to receive numerous offers, but as he had a passion for art-house cinema more than commercial cinema, he selectively approached the roles he was offered. In the surrealist drama film "I’m Not There" (2007), which was dedicated to the legendary Bob Dylan, he played a character reminiscent of the French poet Arthur Rimbaud.
The following year, he played the role of an aristocratic bisexual suffering from alcoholism in the drama "Brideshead Revisited." His co-stars in these films included Christian Bale, Greta Scacchi, Heath Ledger, and Emma Thompson.
Ben Whishaw in the film Brideshead Revisited
In the 2008 crime drama series "Criminal Justice," the actor played the role of a young man accused of murdering a girl he spent the night with. David Westhead played the role of the father who seeks to get his wayward but innocent son acquitted, and the series also starred Eddie Marsan and Pete Postlethwaite. The show attracted a vast audience and shed light on the problems of the modern British legal system, receiving critical acclaim for the subtle and nuanced performance of Ben Whishaw.
Ben Whishaw in the series Criminal Justice
The actor’s next triumph was his portrayal of the great poet John Keats in the film "Bright Star." Ben’s depiction of the genius who dies of tuberculosis and experiences tender feelings for his beloved confirmed his unique gift for transformation and mastery. Abby Cornish played the actor’s partner in this poignant drama.
Ben Whishaw in the film Bright Star
In the science fiction film "Cloud Atlas," the actor appeared in several different roles, alongside Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, James D’Arcy, and Jim Broadbent.
Ben Whishaw and Jim Broadbent in the film Cloud Atlas
In the same year, the actor played the lead role in the historical drama "The Hollow Crown," which was based on Shakespeare’s play, as well as the role of Q in the 23rd James Bond film, in which Daniel Craig played the character of James Bond. The spy thriller also starred Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, and Judi Dench.
Ben Whishaw and Daniel Craig in the film Skyfall
In Terry Gilliam’s cyberpunk film "The Zero Theorem," Ben played alongside Christoph Waltz and David Thewlis.
A still from The Zero Theorem
The year 2015 brought several films featuring Ben’s talents for his fans. Ben played the role of Sonny in the drama "Suffragette," which was dedicated to the women’s struggle for civil rights. The roles of suffragettes were played by Helena Bonham Carter, Carey Mulligan, and Meryl Streep.
Ben Whishaw in the film Suffragette
In the historical drama "In the Heart of the Sea," Ben played a role of one of the crew members who faced a difficult trial after a whale attacked their ship. Also in that year, the actor appeared in another action movie about James Bond, once again playing the role of Q, and in the drama "The Danish Girl," which starred Eddie Redmayne and Matthias Schoenaerts.
Ben Whishaw in the series London Spy
In the TV series "London Spy", Ben Whishaw played the role of Danny, a romantic and politically uninvolved young man who fell in love with the mysterious Alex. After the death of his lover, Danny takes a risky step, trying to uncover the spy secrets of modern Britain.
SKYFALL | Bond meets Q
In 2017, the actor lent his voice to the charming bear Paddington, and a year later he played in the political series "A Very English Scandal", in which he played the lover of the leader of the Democratic Party.
In 2018, Ben took part in the filming of "Mary Poppins Returns" with Emily Blunt in the lead role. He played the grown-up ward of Lady Perfection - Michael.
Scene from the film Mary Poppins Returns
In 2019, the actor appeared in the film adaptation of Charles Dickens’ "The Personal History of David Copperfield" alongside Tilda Swinton, Dev Patel, and Hugh Laurie.
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In 2020, he starred in "Surge," a film in which he played the main role of a quiet customs officer named Joseph, leading a joyless life until he snaps and starts committing small transgressions and eventually serious crimes, shaking up all of London. For this role, the actor received the Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It is noteworthy that Ben Wishaw worked on the screenplay with director Aneil Karia for six years.
Ben Whishaw in the film Surge
In October 2021, the long-delayed premiere of the 25th Bond film "No Time to Die" took place. Ushering returned to his role as Q, the developer of spy technology, who provides Agent 007 with technical innovations.
Scene from the film No Time to Die
Ben Whishaw’s Personal Life
Ben has always understood that he is attracted to people of his own gender, but he was hesitant to openly acknowledge it, as he has stated himself.
During the filming of the movie about John Keats, "Bright Star," Ben had a fateful encounter with Australian composer Mark Bradshaw, which prompted him to come out. Since 2009, the two have been living together, although they do not publicize the details of their personal life.
Ben Whishaw and his husband Mark Bradshaw
Ben enjoys talking about his hobbies, which include gardening, traveling, and reading books.
Ben Whishaw Now
In 2022 Ben Whishaw was working on the film "Limonov: A Ballad About Eddy" about the Russian writer and political figure Eduard Limonov. Ben Whishaw plays the lead role. The film is directed by Kirill Serebrennikov, for whom this film is a debut in English-language cinema. Victoria Miroshnichenko plays the role of Limonov’s wife. The filming started in May 2022.
