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Simon Russell Beale

Birth Place: Penang, MALAYSIA

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Simon Russell Beale BIO

Simon Russell Beale's theatre career began with plays at the Traverse and Lyceum Theatres in Edinburgh. His first London appearance was in William Gaskill's Royal Court production of Women Beware Women.

For the National Theatre: Timon of Athens, Collaborators (in the Cottesloe and Olivier theatres), London Assurance, Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Life of Galileo, The Alchemist, Jumpers (also West End and New York, where he was nominated for a 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor), Humble Boy (also West End), the title role in Hamlet (2000 Evening Standard Best Actor, Critics' Circle Award for Best Shakespearean Performance and the Boston Critics' Association Outstanding Actor in a Large Company), Battle Royal, Candide (2000 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical), Summerfolk, Money, Othello, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Volpone (1996 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor).

For the RSC, Simon Russell Beale has performaed in : The Tempest, King Lear, Ghosts, the title roles in Richard III and Edward II, The Seagull, Troilus and Cressida, The Man of Mode and Restoration.

West End: Death Trap
Other theatre: Bluebird, The Winter's Tale, The Cherry Orchard, Monty Python's Spamalot, The Philanthropist (2005 Evening Standard and Critics' Circle Best Actor), Uncle Vanya, Twelfth Night (both winning him 2002 Evening Standard, Critics' Circle and Olivier Awards for Best Actor and Drama Desk award nominations in the US. For Uncle Vanya: Village Voice Obie for Best Actor), Julius Caesar, Macbeth and The Duchess of Malfi.

Ballet
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland


TV
American Experience, Dunkirk, The Young Visiters, Great Historians: Gibbon, A Dance to the Music of Time (1997 Royal Television Society Best Actor and BAFTA Best Actor), Persuasion and The Mushroom Pickers. He is the presenter of BBC Four's Sacred Music.


Films
My Week with Marilyn, The Deep Blue Sea, The Gathering, Alice in Wonderland, An Ideal Husband, The Temptation of Franz Schubert and Hamlet.


Radio
Extensive recording credits, including The Complete George Smiley, War and Peace; Oscar in The Trials of Oscar Wilde, The Sisterhood, Waiting for Godot, Art and A Dance to the Music of Time.


Narrations

Several books, three roles for the Shakespeare CD Series, and a 10-part television series on The National Trust. Also a 10-part series on The National Trust and presenter of Sacred Victoria, Symphony and Sacred Music.


Concerts

First Night of the Proms, Ivan The Terrible, Artaxerxes, Façade, Music and Poetry: Auden and Britten, The Firebrand of Florence and Stravinksy Promenade.


Simon Russell Beale is an associate of the National and Almeida theatres, and an associate artist of the RSC. In 2003 he was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the Arts.

Simon Russell Beale Photos

Simon Russell Beale STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2022
EBENEZER [Replacement]

[West End]
2022
JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2021
Henry Lehman

[Off-Broadway]
Park Avenue Armory North American Premiere, 2019
Performer

[West End]
Original West End Production, 2018
Performer

[London]
Bent, LGBT+, London, National Theatre, George Mackey, Simon Russell Beale, 2017
Performer

[West End]
2013
Roote

[West End]
National Theatre Production, 2011
Joseph Stalin

[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Sydney Bruhl

[West End]
London Production, 2006
King Arthur [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
King Arthur [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
George

[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1999
Performer


Simon Russell Beale Movies

Orlando
[ 1992 ] Earl of Moray
Jane Austen's Persuasion
[ 1995 ] Charles Musgrove
Hamlet
[ 1996 ] Second Gravedigger
An Ideal Husband
[ 1999 ] Sir Edward
The Gathering
[ 2002 ] Luke Frer
National Theatre Live: London Assurance
[ 2010 ] Sir Harcourt Courtly
The Deep Blue Sea
[ 2011 ] Sir William Collyer
National Theatre Live: Collaborators
[ 2011 ] Joseph Stalin
My Week with Marilyn
[ 2011 ] Cotes-Preedy
Timon of Athens
[ 2012 ] Timon
King Lear
[ 2014 ] Lear
Into the Woods
[ 2014 ] Baker's Father
The Legend of Tarzan
[ 2016 ] Mr. Frum
The Death of Stalin
[ 2017 ] Lavrenti Beria
My Cousin Rachel
[ 2017 ] Couch
Royal Shakespeare Company: The Tempest
[ 2017 ] Prospero
Operation Finale
[ 2018 ] David Ben-Gurion
Mary Queen of Scots
[ 2018 ] Robert Beale
Museo
[ 2018 ] Frank Graves
Radioactive
[ 2019 ] Professor Lippmann
The Tragedy of King Richard the Second
[ 2019 ] King Richard II
The Lehman Trilogy
[ 2019 ] Henry Lehman
A Christmas Carol
[ 2020 ] Scrooge, Simon Russell-Beale
Benediction
[ 2021 ] Robbie Ross
Operation Mincemeat
[ 2021 ] Winston Churchill
The Outfit
[ 2022 ] Roy
Thor: Love and Thunder
[ 2022 ] Dionysus

Simon Russell Beale TV Shows

MI-5
Home Secretary, William Towers
Penny Dreadful
Ferdinand Lyle

Simon Russell Beale Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy


winner
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Lehman Trilogy

Evening Standard Awards - 2015 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeTemple

Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Simon Russell BealeBluebird


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2012 - Best Actor

Simon Russell Beale, Collaborators

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, The Winter's Tale


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2005 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2005 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeThe Philanthropist

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Simon Russell Beale, Jumpers


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya


winner
Obie Awards - 2003 - Performance

Simon Russell Beale, Uncle Vanya


winner
Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Featured Actor - Play

Simon Russell Beale, Twelfth Night


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeUncle Vanya


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeTwelfth Night

Olivier Awards - 2002 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHumble Boy

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHamlet


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2000 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeHamlet


winner
Olivier Awards - 2000 - Best Actor in a Musical

Simon Russell Beale, Candide

Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Actor

Simon Russell BealeOthello

Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Simon Russell BealeTroilus And Cressida, RSC

Olivier Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role

Simon Russell BealeMan Of Mode, Restoration, Playing With Trains and Some Americans Abroad

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Musical

Richard Kagan, Leader of the Pack

Simon Russell Beale Videos

Simon Russell Beale News


Gayle Rankin Joins HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season Two


Back for season two is Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham. Watch the trailer video now!

Sandra Oh, Ann Harada & More to Star in THE WELKIN at Atlantic Theater Company


The complete cast has been revealed for the American premiere of The Welkin, written by Lucy Kirkwood and directed by Sarah Benson at Atlantic Theater Company. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: GUYS AND DOLLS, DEAR ENGLAND, and More Take Home The Casting Directors' Guild Casting Awards; Full List!


The Casting Directors’ Guild has announced the winners for the 2024 CDG Casting Awards. Check out the full list of winners here, as well as photos from the night!

Video: Watch the Trailer For STARZ's MARY & GEORGE With Julianne Moore


STARZ sets the premiere date for its highly anticipated, audacious psychodrama “Mary & George” and releases seductive key art and trailer starring Academy Award-winner Julianne Moore (Still Alice) and Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue). The seven-part limited series is inspired by the scandalous true story. Watch the video trailer!

The Jamie Lloyd Company Splits From ATG


Jamie Lloyd has announced that The Jamie Lloyd Company is now a fully independent production company, following his successful 10-year partnership with Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG).

Stage Door Jonny Will Appear In Conversation With Emily Mortimer And Alessandro Nivola At Jermyn Street Theatre


Jermyn Street Theatre has announced the second live edition of the hit podcast Stage Door Jonny following this Summer's sell-out show which featured Nicholas Hytner and Simon Russell Beale.

Emma Corrin Becomes Patron Of MGCfutures


MGCfutures has announced that Emma Corrin becomes a patron, joining Judi Dench, Dawn French, Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Daniel Radcliffe, Simon Russell Beale, Sheridan Smith, Aidan Turner, David Walliams and Ben Whishaw who already support the work of the charity.

Julianne Moore-Led MARY & GEORGE to Stream on STARZ With Nicholas Galitzine


STARZ has acquired the U.S. and Canada rights to “Mary & George”, an audacious historical psychodrama starring Academy Award-winner Julianne Moore (Still Alice) and Nicholas Galitzine (Red, White & Royal Blue), about a treacherous mother and son who schemed, seduced and killed to conquer the Court of England and the bed of King James I.

15 Stars You May or May Not Have Known Were in SPAMALOT


With Spamalot returning to Broadway, we're taking a walk down memory lane and reflecting on some of the stars who have appeared in previous productions of the musical. From Broadway to London, Chicago, touring productions, Las Vegas, the Hollywood Bowl, and more, there have been many faces you may recognize who have taken on these roles. 

Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective to Make U.S. Debut At Shriver Hall Concert Series


Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective makes its U.S. debut at Shriver Hall Concert Series with a program featuring major quintets from American composers Amy Beach and Florence Price, as well as works by Franz Schubert and George Walker.

Review: THE SCORE, Theatre Royal Bath


If the multi award-winning TV drama Succession taught us anything, it’s that no one can take Brian Cox’s place. Fans of the Scottish actor will be pleased to know that he commands centre stage – with Logan Roy-esque verve – in Trevor Nunn’s The Score, a new play by actor-playwright OIiver Cotton at Theatre Royal Bath.

Interview: Producing Artistic Director, Sean Hagerty of The Curtain in Jersey City Producing “Romeo & Juliet”


We had the opportunity to interview The Curtain’s Producing Artistic Director, Sean Hagerty about his career and 'Romeo & Juliet.'

BBC to Run Extensive Shakespeare Season to Celebrate 400th Anniversary of First Folio


The BBC is celebrating this extraordinary anniversary with an ambitious season of content across TV, Radio, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sounds exploring why, 400 years on, Shakespeare's relevance and influence is as strong as ever. A wealth of programming featuring major actors and leading experts, including new documentaries, performance, music, drama, comedy, news coverage and the best of the BBC archive, as well as special items on flagship BBC shows, will celebrate the man, his world and his timeless writing.

A SPAMALOT Recap- Everything You Need to Know!


The search for the grail will continue on Broadway this fall! Direct from a sold out run at the Kennedy Center, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT will return to Broadway at the St. James Theatre.

Michael Grandage Will Direct Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans in the World Première of BACKSTAIRS BILLY


The world première of Marcelo Dos Santos' new play Backstairs Billy looks at a pivotal moment in the 50 year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon.

SPUTNIK SWEETHEART, Max Wilkinson's UNION and More Set For Arcola Theatre's Summer/Autumn 2023 Lineup


With their production of Sasha Hails’ Possession about to open at the company’s home base, Arcola Theatre, led by Artistic Director Mehmet Ergen and Executive Director Leyla Nazli, has announced their new season.

Christine Allado, Emma Hatton, and Alexia Khadime Perform in an Exclusive New Concert, Available to Stream Now


A Spotlight On Leading Ladies, a concert featuring West End stars Alexia Khadime (currently playing Elphaba in Wicked), Christine Allado (Hamilton, Prince of Egypt) and Emma Hatton (Wicked, Evita, We Will Rock You) will be available to stream for a limited time only. 

Simon Russell Beale to Appear at Shakespeare's Globe's MOVING STORIES, in Support of the UN Refugee Agency


On Sunday 25 June, Shakespeare’s Globe will host ‘Moving Stories’ in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in support of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. The event will include sketches, short plays and songs examining the experiences of refugees, and responses to the crisis.

Simon Russell Beale and Nicholas Hytner Will Appear In Conversation With Stage Door Jonny At Jermyn Street Theatre


Jermyn Street Theatre has announced an addition to their Summer season.  On Sunday 4 June at 6.00pm the theatre will stage the first ever live version of acclaimed actor Jonathan Cake's podcast Stage Door Jonny. 

Simon Russell Beale FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Simon Russell Beale been in?

Simon Russell Beale has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Simon Russell Beale been in?

Simon Russell Beale has appeared on London's West End in 8 shows.

What was Simon Russell Beale's first West End show?

Simon Russell Beale's first West End show was Candide which opened in 1999

What awards has Simon Russell Beale been nominated for?

Simon Russell Beale has been nominated for various awards throughout his career, including Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for "The Lehman Trilogy," Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "The Lehman Trilogy," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for "The Lehman Trilogy," Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for "Temple," Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for "Bluebird," Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for "Collaborators," and Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "The Winter's Tale." He has also received nominations for Best Actor in various productions like "The Philanthropist," "Jumpers," "Uncle Vanya," "Twelfth Night," "Humble Boy," "Hamlet," "Candide," "Othello," and "Troilus And Cressida, RSC." Additionally, he received nominations for Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role at the Olivier Awards for his roles in "Man Of Mode," "Restoration," "Playing With Trains," and "Some Americans Abroad." Beale was also part of the cast nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Leader of the Pack."

What awards has Simon Russell Beale won?

Simon Russell Beale has won several awards for his performances, including the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for "The Lehman Trilogy," the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor for "Collaborators," "The Philanthropist," and "Uncle Vanya," the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor - Play and Performance for "Uncle Vanya," the Olivier Award for Best Actor for "Uncle Vanya" and "Hamlet," and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor - Play for "Twelfth Night." He also won the Obie Award for his performance in "Uncle Vanya," and the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for "Candide."

What is Simon Russell Beale next theatre project?

Simon Russell Beale's next show will be A Christmas Carol - The Bridge which opens on 12/6/2022 on West End.

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