James Broadbent Biography

James Broadbent, actor

Birthplace: Lincoln, England, United Kingdom

Birthdate: May 24, 1949

Sign: Gemini

James "Jim" Broadbent was born to Roy Laverick Broadbent and Doreen "Dee" (née Findlay), both artists and amateur actors. The young Broadbent also had a twin sister, who died at birth. Theater apparently was in their blood. His father turned a former church into a theatre, which was later named for him after his death in 1971

Broadbent was educated at Leighton Park School, and briefly attended art college before moving on to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. After graduation, Broadbent began picking up regular theatrical work for the National Theatre of Brent and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He would make his cinematic debut in a minor role in 1978. During this time he gained a reputation as one of the most versatile and dependable character actors in the business.

His career would start building in 1980, when he got supporting roles in "Breaking Glass," "Dogs of War," Terry Gilliam's "Time Bandits" and "Birth of a Nation." He would appear in nearly 30 other films and TV programs in that decade, including films such as "Gilliam's Brazil," "Superman IV" and a number of Rowan Atkinson's "Black Adder" episodes (in several different roles).

His versatility was put to the test in the 1990s, and he usually rose up to the occasion. He played just about every character possible from tough cops to a parody of "Doctor Who" (the "shy" Doctor). Among the more notable productions were "The Crying Game" (1992), "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994), "The Borrowers" (1997), "The Avengers" (1998), "Doctor Who: The Curse of the Fatal Death" and "Topsy-Turvy" (both 1999).

Most historians would say that 2001 was his breakout year. It was also during this time he earned a new reputation, that as of an actor who helped his female leads get nominated for major film awards like the Oscar. Film roles included "Bridget Jones's Diary" with Renee Zellweger, "Moulin Rouge!" with Nicole Kidman and "Iris" with Dame Judy Densch. Broadbent didn't do to bad himself, picking up the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in "Iris."

Since then, Broadbent has enjoyed a steady diet of A-list movies. The list includes Boss Tweed in "Gangs of New York" and Wackford Sqeers in "Nicholas Nickelby" (2002). In 2004, he played Lord Kelvin in Jackie Chan's interpretation of "Around The World in 80 Days" and recapped his role as Bridget's father in "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason." From there he played Professor Kirke in "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" (2005), Inspector Frank Butterman in Simon Pegg's "Hot Fuzz," Dean Charles Stanforth in "Indiana Jones IV" (2008). In between all this, he starred in the TV series "Longford" (2006), where he won a BAFTA for best TV actor.

It looks like his future is also secure. The list of potential blockbusters he'll be in this year include "Inkheart," "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" and "The Damned United," all slated for 2009. Besides his Oscar, his awards shelf includes two BAFTA Awards, an Emmy and two Golden Globe Awards.