Bio: Toby Stephens began his acting career while a stagehand at the Chichester Festival Theatre, in end-of-season productions mounted by the crew. In his brief professional career, he has already won the Sir John Gielgud Prize for Best Actor and the Ian Charleson Award for his performance in the title role of "Coriolanus" at the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1994. His other work at the RSC includes "Measure for Measure", "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Antony and Cleopatra", "Wallenstein", "All's Well That Ends Well" and "Unfinished Business". Stephens also starred in Peter Hall's production of "Tartuffe" at the Aldwych Theatre and has just finished filming The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996). His television appearances include A View from the Bridge (2012) and The Camomile Lawn (1992). He made his screen debut in Sally Potter's Orlando (1992).
Tivia: Son of the late Sir Robert Stephens and Dame Maggie SmithHas turned down Hollywood many times; he concentrates mainly on theater.His family has been involved in three of Britain's most successful literary and film franchises. Toby played a James Bond villain in Die Another Day (2002), and later went on to play Bond himself on the radio. His father, Robert Stephens, played Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings on the radio. His mother, Maggie Smith, plays Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films.Has the uncanny ability to master the American accent which, along with his smile and look, helped set him apart from the other actors reading for the part of Jay Gatsby and ultimately helped him land the role (a role he said he had the most fun playing and would do the part again in a heartbeat).After his parents' divorce when he was four years old, Stephens and his brother (actor Chris Larkin) grew up traveling back and forth across the Atlantic with their mother for her numerous acting engagements.Was considered for the role of "Robin" in Batman Forever (1995).Awarded the Sir John Gielgud Best Actor Award for his role of David Thacker in 'Coriolanus'.Attended the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.He and his mother, Maggie Smith, have both worked with Ian McKellen. Smith appeared with him in Richard III (1995), while Stephens worked with him in a BBC Radio adaptation of "Goldfinger". McKellen also played "Smith" when he hosted Saturday Night Live (1975). In addition, both McKellen and Robert Stephens have appeared in adaptations of "The Lord of the Rings".Became a father for the 1st time at age 38 when his wife Anna-Louise Plowman gave birth to their son Elijah Alistair Stephens on May 16, 2007.Became a father for the 3rd time at age 41 when his wife Anna-Louise Plowman gave birth to their daughter Kura Stephens in September 2010.Younger brother of Chris Larkin.In 1992, he and Tara Fitzgerald co-starred in the television miniseries "The Camomile Lawn." In 1996, they again co-starred in the adaptation of Anne Bront?'s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996). Both appeared again in Charlotte Bront?'s Jane Eyre (2006), but did not share screen time.Became a father for the 2nd time at age 40 when his wife Anna-Louise Plowman gave birth to their daughter Tallulah Tara Stephens on April 26, 2009.Older stepbrother of Quinn Hawkins.Stepson of Patricia Quinn.In 1999, appeared on Broadway in "Ring Round the Moon".Performing in Harold Pinter's play "Betrayal" at the Donmar Warehouse, London as the character of "Jerry". (June 2007)Was delivered via Caesarean section due to being in the breech position.