Bio: Proclaimed by many critics as one of the best young actors of his generation, Benjamin John Whishaw was born in Clifton, Bedfordshire, to Linda (Hope), who works in cosmetics, and Jose Whishaw, who works in information technology. He has a twin brother, James. He is of French, German, Russian (father) and English (mother) descent.Ben attended Samuel Whitbread Community College where his interest in theatre grew and he became a member of the Bancroft Players Youth Theatre at Hitchin's Queen Mother Theatre. During his time there he rose to prominence in many productions, most notably If This Is a Man, based on the book of the same name by Primo Levi, a survivor of Nazi World War II prisoner of war camp. The play was taken to the Edinburgh Festival in 1995 where it garnered five-star reviews and great critical acclaim with Ben Whishaw getting rave reviews for his portrayal of Levi.Ben then enrolled in, RADA from where he graduated in 2004 and soon landed the role of Hamlet in Trevor Nunn's 2004 production making him one of the youngest actors to portray Hamlet on-stage. Hamlet opened to rave reviews with many critics hailing Ben as the next Laurence Olivier and applauding his portrayal of Hamlet with leading critics haling the birth of a star. Whishaw's film and TV credits include Layer Cake (2004) and Christopher Morris 2005 sitcom Nathan Barley (2005), in which he played a character called Pingu. He was named "Most Promising Newcomer" at the 2001 British Independent Film Awards (for My Brother Tom (2001)) and, in 2005, nominated as best actor in four award ceremonies for his Hamlet. He also played Keith Richards in the Stephen Woolley biopic Stoned (2005). Whishaw played in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) as Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, a perfume maker whose craft turns deadly getting raves once again for his stunning portrayal. Whishaw appeared in 2007's I'm Not There (2007) as one of the Bob Dylan reincarnations and in 2008 in Criminal Justice (2008) a TV series. He appears in the forthcoming films The Tempest (2010) and Bright Star (2009).
Tivia: Beat out Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom for the role of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille in Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006).At age 32, he is the youngest actor to portray Q in a James Bond film.Has a twin brother, James.His paternal grandfather, John Vladimir Stellmacher, was of German and Russian descent, and spied for the British during World War II, later taking the surname "Whishaw". His paternal grandmother, Olga Adele Bernard, was French. Ben's mother is of English background.Entered into a civil partnership with his partner Mark Bradshaw in August 2012. They met on the set of Bright Star (2009).Replaced Colin Firth as the voice of the title character in Paddington (2014). Whishaw was originally reluctant to take on the role and passed on it the first time around. He came on board when the film's director sent him a sincere letter in which he eagerly encouraged him to reconsider his choice.Met his husband, Australian composer Mark Bradshaw on the set while making Bright Star (2009), in 2008, and was civilly married in August 2012.Favorite actor is James Stewart.Favourite film is Vertigo (1958).Graduated from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).Played Hamlet to rave reviews at the Old Vic, London. (May 2004)Good friends with his Brideshead Revisited (2008) co-star Matthew Goode.Enjoys reading, painting and gardening in his spare time.Enjoys music, dance, visual arts and traveling.Favorite James Bond films are Dr. No (1962) and From Russia with Love (1963).Took in a couple of stray cats living in his neighborhood.Grew up in Bedfordshire, and attended the Bancroft Players Youth Theatre at the Hitchin's Queen Mother Theatre.Appearing in "His Dark Materials" at the Royal National Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner. (December 2003)Has played several characters who were writers, including a character inspired by Arthur Rimbaud in I'm Not There (2007), John Keats in Bright Star (2009), and Herman Melville in In the Heart of the Sea (2015); and fictional author Robert Frobisher in Cloud Atlas (2012).Starring off-Broadway as "Oliver" in "The Pride", by Alexi Kaye Campbell, directed by Joe Mantello. With Hugh Dancy, Adam James, Andrea Riseborough. (February 2010)Performing John Logan's "Peter & Alice" with Judi Dench at Noel Coward Theatre, London. Starring as Peter Llewellyn Davies. (May 2013)Father is a computer engineer and mother is a sales person.Confirmed to be one of the actors performing in 'His Dark Materials' at the Royal National Theatre. (August 2004)