Ralph Fiennes – biography, photos, facts, family, affairs, height and weight 2020

Biography of Ralph Fiennes

Ralph Fiennes is a British actor trying himself also as a film director. He became famous in the mid-90s owing to the legendary films «Schindler’s List» and «The English Patient» (1996).

Early years

Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes was born in Ipswich on December 22, 1962. The boy was the first-born in the family of a writer Jennifer Lash and photographer Mark. The couple subsequently had five more children, including adopted son Michael Emery, who was adopted at the age of 11. His father tried several types of occupation: farming, repair of buildings, until he stopped at the photography.

The Fiennes family often moved from place to place, traveled all over England and Ireland, so Ralph had time to study in several schools. He finished his study at Bishop Wordsworth’s School, and then entered the faculty of painting at Chelsea College of Art, but realized that he wanted to be an actor and in 1983 moved to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. At different times Sean Bean, Alan Rickman, and Anthony Hopkins graduated from this prestigious institution.

Acting career

In 1986, Ralph finished his studies and a year later joined the British Royal National Theater. In 1988, the actor moved to the Royal Shakespeare Theater. There, in 1995, Fiennes was awarded the Tony Award for roles in the plays «Hamlet», «King Lear» and «Coriolanus».

The actor attracted the attention of filmmakers: his first work was released on television ‒ a small role in the «Prime Suspect» (1991) with Helen Mirren. And in the world cinema he made his debut in «Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights» (1992), and immediately in one of the leading roles and with the famous partner Juliette Binoche.

Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche in «Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights»

Recognition was not long in coming too: participation in the drama of Steven Spielberg «Schindler’s List» (1993) brought not only fame, but also a number of nominations: Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA. The latter obeyed him at the first attempt. The character of the commandant of the fascist concentration camp Amon Göth will later be called the best in Fiennes’s career.

Ralph Fiennes in the movie «Schindler’s List»

The film called «The English Patient» (1996) with Ralph’s participation became a real classic of the genre of drama. The film in which Fiennes starred as Count László de Almássy, won the Oscar as the best film of the year, but the actor was awarded only a nomination.

Ralph Fiennes in the film «The English Patient»

A rare failure during Fiennes’s entire career can be considered the «The Avengers» (1998). Even the star composition with Uma Thurman and Sean Connery did not save the movie from the failure at the box office. And for his unconvincing play, in the opinion of the founders of the Golden Raspberry Award, Ralph acted as an involuntary competitor of this anti-award.

Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman in «The Avengers»

In «The Prince of Egypt» (1998), the actor made his debut as a dubbing actor and voiced Ramesses. A year later he discovered a new cinematographic profession for himself and produced «Onegin» (1999), in which he also played the lead character. The roles of Tatiana and Olga got Liv Tyler and Lena Heade.

On the set of the film «Maid in Manhattan»

In 2002, Fiennes appeared on screen in two completely different films, but equally important for his career. He expanded the range of his images in a romantic comedy with Jennifer Lopez «Maid in Manhattan» (2002), as well as again met with Anthony Hopkins on the set in a gloomy and intricate «Red Dragon» (2002). After some interval, Ralph returned to the BAFTA shortlist with a role in «The Constant Gardener» (2005).

In the same year Fiennes appeared in the image of the great and terrible Lord Voldemort in the next part of the saga of a young wizard called «Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire» (2005). Many hours of complex makeup made the actor unrecognizable and so horrible that once a child burst into tears when he saw the evil wizard on the set. The main antagonist of fantasy appeared in three more films, and what is more, the importance of the character grew. They were: «Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix» (2007), «Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ‒ Part 1» (2010), «Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ‒ Part 2» (2011).

Ralph Fiennes in the image of the great and terrible Lord Voldemort

In 2009, at the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, Ralph claimed statuettes simultaneously in two categories: for his role in the miniseries «Bernard and Doris» (2006) and for the historical drama «The Duchess» (2008), but failed at both points.

Almost every film with the participation of Fiennes became cult: fans of black comedies appreciated his role in «In Bruges», and the character of Older Michael Berg in the film «The Reader» (2008), in which Kate Winslet also starred, touched all lovers of sensual dramas.

In the film «Coriolanus» Ralph Fiennes acted as an actor and director

Ralph skillfully combined not only absolutely different roles, but also the career of the actor with the film director. For example, in 2010, Fiennes released the film «Coriolanus», appearing in the director’s chair for the first time. The film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play was listed in the participants of the Berlin International Film Festival and fought for BAFTA.

In 2012, he received a proposal to replace Judi Dench in the role of M in «Skyfall».

Fiennes is a dedicated fan of James Bond: in his childhood he spent all pocket money for accessories and books about an agent of the British Special Forces. After learning about the role, his brothers and sisters laughingly talked about their hope that the current fee will cover those children’s spending.

While working on the film called «The Grand Budapest Hotel» (2014) directed by Wes Anderson, Ralph relied on the image of a real concierge from the Brown’s Hotel in London, who he often watched. This character was named as one of the best in the career of the actor, and Fiennes was again nominated for the Golden Globe.

Ralph Fiennes in the film «The Grand Budapest Hotel» (trailer)

The ability not to be held hostage by one character part made Ralph one of the most sought-after actors. The combination of several shooting processes allowed him to appear immediately in two major films in 2015: the Britisher continued to play M’s character in «Spectre», as well as starred in «Hail Caesar!» directed by Coen brothers.

Ralph Fiennes in the film «Hail Caesar!»

Ralph returned to dubbing: he voiced the Moon King in «Kubo and the Two Strings»(2016) and Alfred in «The Lego Batman Movie» (2017).

Personal life of Ralph Fiennes

In 1993, the actor married his colleague Alex Kingston, whom he met while studying. Their marriage officially existed only 4 years, but they parted even earlier.

After that, for almost 10 years, until 2006, Ralph had a love affair with Francesca Annis. According to rumors, the reason for their parting was a short affair between Fiennes and a singer from Romania.

The Fiennes are related to the members of the royal family of Great Britain, although it’s a very distant kinship.

Ralph Fiennes in kinship with members of the royal family of Great Britain

In 2017 he received Serbian citizenship. Ralph is bound with this country in many respects. He repeatedly worked there, arrived there on personal matters and even was present at the inauguration of the country’s President Aleksander Vucic.

Ralph Fiennes in The Graham Norton Show

He is the ambassador of UNICEF. Within the framework of the projects of this organization he visited several countries: Uganda, Romania, and India. He is the member of the organization «Against Racism» based in Canada.

Ralph Fiennes now

The actor remains productive and is preparing for the fans a few resounding movie premieres in the near future. One of the most anticipated is the comedy film called «Holmes and Watson» (2018). Its story is based on a sketch of the comedy show SNL, which has been aired since 1975. The leading roles in the unusual interpretation of the characters of Arthur Conan Doyle played Will Ferrell and John Cree Riley, and Fiennes transferred to the screen the character of Moriarty.