Joseph Fiennes

Joseph Alberic Fiennes (pronounced "Fines") (born 27 May, 1970) is a British actor. He is perhaps best known for his work in the theatre and his portrayal of William Shakespeare in the 1998 film Shakespeare In Love.

Career

After leaving art school, Fiennes worked with the Young Vic Youth Theatre. He continued his training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His first professional stage appearance was in the West End in The Woman in Black, followed by A Month in the Country opposite Helen Mirren. Fiennes, then, was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for two seasons.

Fiennes made his television debut as Willy in The Vacillations of Poppy Carew. His first feature film was 1996's Stealing Beauty, co-starring Liv Tyler. In 1998, Fiennes appeared in two films that were nominated at the Academy Awards: he played Robert Dudley opposite Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth and he also portrayed William Shakespeare opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in his most popular film to date Shakespeare in Love, which won the award for Best Picture. Following the success of Shakespeare In Love, Fiennes turned down a 5 picture deal from a major studio and withdrew from mainstream cinema. Instead he chose to return to the theatre. He remains highly selective of his work and has famously turned down major film productions in order to appear on stage.

Fiennes has also worked in other mediums. In 2003 he lent his voice to the film Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas in which he played Proteus. The same year he starred in the limited-release film Luther, playing Martin Luther, and he also appeared in The Merchant of Venice , in which he portrayed Bassanio.

In 2006, he will appear in The Darwin Awards opposite Winona Ryder and Running With Scissors once again teaming him up with Gwyneth Paltrow. Fiennes will return to the theatre again this year in the one-man play Unicorns, Almost about World War II poet Keith Douglas at the Old Vic .

In Spring 2006, he will be in South Africa to commence filming Goodbye Bafana with director Bille August. Fiennes will portray James Gregory, author of the book Goodbye Bafana: Nelson Mandela, My Prisoner, My Friend.

Personal life

Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, Fiennes is the son of novelist Jennifer Lash and photographer Mark Fiennes. The youngest of six siblings, he was raised in West Cork, Ireland. He is the brother of actor Ralph Fiennes, film makers Sophie Fiennes and Martha Fiennes, composer Magnus Fiennes and, his twin, Jacob Fiennes, a conservationist. His foster brother, Michael Emery, is an archaeologist. He is a cousin of Sir Ranulph Fiennes and eighth cousin of HRH, the Prince of Wales.

An avid philanthropist, Fiennes is involved with several charities, focusing mainly on the elimination of poverty and fundraising for breast cancer research. Fiennes travelled to Angola in 2003 to highlight the work of the Christian Aid charity.

He helped raise funds for the organization by presenting a three part report for BBC News the same year. He is also an ambassador for the Prince's Trust.

Selected filmography

The Red Baron (2007)
Running with Scissors (2006)
The Darwin Awards (2006)
The Great Raid (2005)
The Merchant of Venice (2004)
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (2003) (voice)
Luther (2003)
Killing Me Softly (2002)
Enemy at the Gates (2001)
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Elizabeth (1998)
Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence (1998)
Stealing Beauty (1996)

Selected plays

The Woman in Black, Fortune Theatre London (1993)
A Month In The Country, Belyaev, Guildford, Richmond and the Albery Theatre London (1994)
A View From The Bridge, Rodolpho, Guildford, Bristol Old Vic, Strand Theatre London (1995)
Son Of Man, Jesus Christ, Royal Shakespeare Company, London (1996)¦¦(1997)
Les Enfants du Paradis, Lacenaire, Royal Shakespeare Company, London (1996)
Troilus and Cressida, Troilus, Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford Upon Avon and London (1996)