Benedict Cumberbatch
BRITISH THEATER,
MOTION-PICTURE
AND TELEVISION ACTOR
MOTION-PICTURE
AND TELEVISION ACTOR
Benedict Cumberbatch, in full Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch, acclaimed British motion-picture, theatre, and television actor known for his portrayals of intelligent, often upper-crust characters, for his deep resonant voice, and for his distinctive name.He gained widespread popularity playing a modernSherlock Holmes in the television series Sherlock and subsequently garnered a succession of substantial roles
in mainstream features.
in mainstream features.
Born July 19, 1976, London, England
I've seen and swam and climbed and lived and driven and filmed. Should it all end tomorrow, I can definitely say there would be no regrets. I am very lucky, and I know it.
"
— Benedict Cumberbatch
about his life
CHILDHOOD & EARLY LIFE
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch was born and raised in London, England. His parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton, are both actors. He is a grandson of submarine commander Henry Carlton Cumberbatch, and a great-grandson of diplomat Henry Arnold Cumberbatch.
CAREER
Cumberbatch has worked in theatre, television, film and radio. His breakthrough on the big screen came in 2004 when he portrayed Stephen Hawking in the television movie Hawking (2004). In 2010, he became a household name as Sherlock Holmes on the British television series Sherlock (2010).
In 2011, he appeared in two Oscar-nominated films — War Horse (2011) and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011). He followed this with acclaimed roles
in the science fiction film Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), the Oscar-winning drama 12 Years a Slave (2013), The Fifth Estate (2013) and August: Osage County (2013).
In 2014, he portrayed Alan Turing in The Imitation Game (2014) which earned him a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, British Academy of Film and Television Arts and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. In May 2014, he joined the cast of the film Black Mass.
Filming Doctor Strange
Benedict in the movies
of the hobbit as the dragon
of the hobbit as the dragon
In 2018, Cumberbatch voiced the title character in the film The Grinch, and provided the voice and did performance capture for the tiger Shere Khan in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. In 2019 he appeared briefly as British Colonel Mackenzie in Sam Mendes' World War I film 1917.
Cumberbatch attended Brambletye School and Harrow School. Whilst at Harrow, he had an arts scholarship and painted large oil canvases. It's also where he began acting. After he finished school, he took a year off to volunteer as an English teacher in a Tibetan monastery in Darjeeling, India. On his return, he studied drama atManchester University. He continued his training as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art graduating with an M.A. in Classical Acting. By the time he had completed his studies, he already had an agent.
Young Benedict Cumberbatch
Cumberbatch starred as Doctor Strange in both the eponymous film released in November 2016, in Avengers: Infinity War in April 2018, and in Avengers: Endgame in April 2019. He starredas electricity titan Thomas Edison in the film The Current War in September 2017.
63
films
12
awards
20
nominations
MARRIAGE
& LOVE LIFE
& LOVE LIFE
Cumberbatch's engagement to theatre and opera director Sophie Hunter, whom he has known for 17 years, was announced in the "Forthcoming Marriages" section of The Times newspaper on November 5, 2014.
Benedict with his wife Sophie Hunter
On February 14, 2015, the couple married at the 12th century Church of St. Peter
and St. Paul on the Isle of Wight followed by a reception at Mottistone Manor. They have two sons, Christopher Carlton (born 2015) and Hal Auden (born 2017).
and St. Paul on the Isle of Wight followed by a reception at Mottistone Manor. They have two sons, Christopher Carlton (born 2015) and Hal Auden (born 2017).
Benedict with his wife Sophie Hunter
TRIVIA
Is a huge fan of Robert Downey Jr. with whom he shares the iconic role of Sherlock Holmes.
Has an older half-sister, Tracy Tabernacle, now Tracy Peacock, from his mother's first marriage to James Tabernacle.
Lost a notable amount of weight for his role as Sherlock Holmes, his goal being to portray Holmes as a character with such high intelligence that it manifests itself in a physical, "mind-over-matter" sort of way.
Has an older half-sister, Tracy Tabernacle, now Tracy Peacock, from his mother's first marriage to James Tabernacle.
Lost a notable amount of weight for his role as Sherlock Holmes, his goal being to portray Holmes as a character with such high intelligence that it manifests itself in a physical, "mind-over-matter" sort of way.
Cumberbatch in London Collections fashion show
One of his first ever acting roles was playing Titania, Queen of the Fairies in Shakespeare's comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream" when he was age 13.
Painted oil canvases and was a member of the rugby team while he was studying at Harrow.
Cumberbatch was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2015 Birthday Honours for his services to the performing arts and to charity.
Painted oil canvases and was a member of the rugby team while he was studying at Harrow.
Cumberbatch was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2015 Birthday Honours for his services to the performing arts and to charity.
