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Ben Kingsley

Actor Date of birth 31st December 1943
Place of birth Scarborough, Yorkshire, England
Year of debut 1972
First feature film Fear Is The Key

Awards

  • Academy Awards won1
  • Academy Awards nominated4
  • BAFTA Awards won2
  • BAFTA Awards nominated3
  • Golden Globe Awards won1
  • Golden Globe Awards nominated4
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Biography

Ben Kingsley was raised in Salford by his Kenyan father and English mother. After graduating from university, he pursued a career in acting. He made his stage debut in 1966 in A Smashing Day. A year later, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. In 1982 he got global attention for his role in Gandhi. He has since starred in movies ranging from Schindler’s List to Sexy Beast. In 2010 he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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Ben Kingsley's films

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Did you know?

  • Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Bhanji. He changed his name in his thirties as he supposedly didn’t want to be typecast as an ethnic actor. He chose the surname Kingsley after his grandfather’s nickname, King Clove.
  • Aged 23, he provided music for A Smashing Day. The play was produced by the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. During the production, he met John Lennon and Paul McCartney. They were impressed with his music and tried to persuade him to become a musician. Instead, he chose his first love, acting.
  • From 1966 to 1967 he played Ron Jenkins on Coronation Street.
  • He was awarded a CBE in 2000.
  • He has been married four times and he is the father of four children. He married his fourth wife, Daniela Lavendar, in 2007.

Awards

  • Academy Awards won1

    • 1982 Actor in a Leading Role - Gandhi

  • Academy Awards nominated4

    • 2003 Actor in a Leading Role - House Of Sand And Fog
    • 2001 Actor in a Supporting Role - Sexy Beast
    • 1991 Actor in a Supporting Role - Bugsy
    • 1982 Actor in a Leading Role - Gandhi

  • BAFTA Awards won2

    • 1982 Actor - Gandhi
    • 1982 Outstanding Newcomer to Leading Film Roles - Gandhi

  • BAFTA Awards nominated3

    • 1993 Actor in a Supporting Role - Schindler's List
    • 1982 Actor - Gandhi
    • 1982 Outstanding Newcomer to Leading Film Roles - Gandhi

  • Golden Globe Awards won1

    • 1983 Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Gandhi

  • Golden Globe Awards nominated4

    • 2004 Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - House Of Sand And Fog
    • 2002 Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Sexy Beast
    • 1992 Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Bugsy
    • 1983 Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Gandhi

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