Mark Rylance, English actor, director, and playwright

Sir David Rylance: A Luminary of Stage, Screen, and Philanthropy

Sir David Mark Rylance Waters, born on 18 January 1960, stands as one of the most distinguished figures in contemporary performing arts. Hailed as an English actor, playwright, and theatre director, Rylance's career is marked by extraordinary versatility and a profound commitment to his craft, earning him critical acclaim across global stages and screens.

A Groundbreaking Career in Theatre

Rylance's profound impact on theatre began after his rigorous training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London. His professional stage debut came in 1980 at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, setting the foundation for a career that would redefine theatrical excellence.

Pioneering Leadership at Shakespeare's Globe

A pivotal chapter in Rylance's career was his tenure as the first artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London, a role he held from 1995 to 2005. His leadership was instrumental in establishing the reconstructed Globe as a vibrant hub for classical theatre, deeply committed to exploring original practices and bringing Shakespeare's plays to life with historical authenticity and contemporary resonance. His vision helped cement the Globe's reputation as a world-leading theatrical institution.

Olivier and Tony Award Triumphs

Rylance's exceptional talent has been consistently recognized with theatre's highest honours. On London's West End, he twice received the coveted Olivier Award for Best Actor, first for his nuanced portrayal in Much Ado About Nothing in 1994, and subsequently for his iconic and electrifying performance as Johnny "Rooster" Byron in Jez Butterworth's modern classic, Jerusalem, in 2010. The latter role became synonymous with his theatrical prowess, captivating audiences with its raw energy and profound depth.

His influence extends across the Atlantic to Broadway, where he boasts an impressive collection of three Tony Awards. He secured two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play: for his comedic brilliance in the revival of Marc Camoletti's farce Boeing Boeing in 2008, showcasing his masterful command of physical comedy; and again for his unforgettable reprisal of Johnny "Rooster" Byron in Jerusalem in 2011, solidifying his status as a theatrical force. Demonstrating his remarkable range, he also won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2014 for his acclaimed cross-gender performance as Olivia's maid, Maria, in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, a production originating from the Globe. Further testament to his consistent excellence, he received Best Actor nominations for his titular role in Richard III in 2014 and for his compelling performance as King George III in Farinelli and the King in 2017.

Rylance holds a unique position in theatre history, being one of only eight actors to have twice won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play. Furthermore, his simultaneous nominations for Richard III and Twelfth Night in 2014 make him one of only six actors ever to be nominated in two distinct acting categories in the same year, underscoring his extraordinary versatility and impact on the stage.

Acclaim in Film and Television

While celebrated for his theatre work, Rylance has also built a formidable filmography, seamlessly transitioning his nuanced acting style to the screen.

Diverse Early Film Roles

His early film appearances spanned a variety of genres and artistic visions, including Peter Greenaway's visually distinctive Prospero's Books (1991), the period drama Angels and Insects (1995), the German-Swiss film Institute Benjamenta (1996), Patrice Chéreau's critically acclaimed Intimacy (2001), and the historical drama The Other Boleyn Girl (2008). These roles showcased his ability to inhabit complex characters in diverse cinematic landscapes.

Global Recognition with Steven Spielberg Collaborations

Rylance garnered widespread international attention and critical adulation for his subtly profound portrayal of Rudolf Abel, a Soviet spy, in Steven Spielberg's Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies (2015). His performance, characterized by quiet dignity and understated humanity, earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor, marking his dramatic ascent in the world of cinema. This collaboration led to further significant roles with Spielberg, including the whimsical title character in The BFG (2016), a live-action adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved children's book, where his motion-capture performance brought the gentle giant to life. He also portrayed the enigmatic creator James Halliday in the science fiction adventure Ready Player One (2018), based on the popular novel, demonstrating his versatility across different film genres and technological demands.

Beyond his work with Spielberg, Rylance delivered memorable performances in other high-profile films, including Christopher Nolan's epic World War II drama Dunkirk (2017), where his role as a civilian sailor exemplified quiet heroism, and Aaron Sorkin's compelling Vietnam War court drama The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020), in which he portrayed the prominent defence lawyer William Kunstler.

Award-Winning Television Performances

On television, Rylance has received equally significant accolades. He won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for his compelling portrayal of Dr. David Kelly in the 2005 Channel 4 drama The Government Inspector, a role that delved into the real-life political scandal surrounding the prominent weapons expert. He further cemented his television legacy with his nuanced and captivating performance as Thomas Cromwell in the 2015 BBC Two mini-series Wolf Hall, based on Hilary Mantel's acclaimed historical novels. For this role, he received widespread critical praise and was nominated for both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, reinforcing his status as a master of dramatic storytelling across all mediums.

Advocacy and Influence

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Sir David Rylance is a dedicated advocate for various causes. He serves as a patron of the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT), supporting global theatrical innovation. He is also a patron of Peace Direct, a London-based charity committed to empowering local peace-builders in areas affected by conflict worldwide, and of the British Stop the War Coalition, reflecting his profound commitment to peace and social justice. In recognition of his extensive influence and contributions, he was deservingly included in the prestigious Time 100 list of the world's most influential people in 2016.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sir David Rylance

What are Sir David Rylance's major awards and recognitions?
Sir David Rylance has received numerous prestigious awards including two Olivier Awards for Best Actor, three Tony Awards (two for Best Actor in a Play and one for Best Featured Actor), an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor, and two BAFTA TV Awards for Best Actor. He was also named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People.
What is Sir David Rylance best known for in theatre?
In theatre, Sir David Rylance is highly celebrated for his groundbreaking tenure as the first artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London (1995-2005). His performances in plays like Jerusalem (West End & Broadway), Boeing Boeing (Broadway), and Twelfth Night (Broadway) have earned him significant acclaim and multiple Olivier and Tony Awards.
What are some of Sir David Rylance's most notable film roles?
His most prominent film roles include Rudolf Abel in Steven Spielberg's Bridge of Spies (for which he won an Academy Award), the title character in Spielberg's The BFG, James Halliday in Ready Player One, and significant roles in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk and Aaron Sorkin's The Trial of the Chicago 7.
Which television roles have earned Sir David Rylance awards?
On television, he is renowned for his award-winning performances as Dr. David Kelly in Channel 4's The Government Inspector (2005) and as Thomas Cromwell in the BBC Two mini-series Wolf Hall (2015), both earning him BAFTA TV Awards for Best Actor.
What is Sir David Rylance's connection to Shakespeare's Globe?
Sir David Rylance served as the first artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe in London from 1995 to 2005. During his decade-long tenure, he played a crucial role in shaping the theatre's artistic direction, focusing on original practices and establishing it as a world-renowned centre for Shakespearean performance.