Who is Mark Rylance? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In January

Also Known As: Sir David Mark Rylance Waters

Age: 64 Years, 64 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Claire van Kampen (m. 1989)

father: David Waters

mother: Anne Waters

siblings: Jonathan Waters, Susannah Waters

children: Juliet Rylance, Nataasha Van Kampen

Playwrights British Men

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Males

More Facts

education: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

awards: Laurence Olivier Award
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Theatre World Award

British Academy Television Award for Best Actor
Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play
Knight Bachelor

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1

What are some famous movies Mark Rylance has starred in?

Mark Rylance has appeared in movies such as "Bridge of Spies," "Dunkirk," "The BFG," "Ready Player One," and "The Trial of the Chicago 7."
2

Has Mark Rylance ever worked in theater productions?

Yes, Mark Rylance has an extensive background in theater and has performed in numerous acclaimed stage productions, including Shakespearean plays like "Twelfth Night" and "Richard III."
3

Is Mark Rylance known for any notable television roles?

Mark Rylance gained recognition for his role in the television series "Wolf Hall," where he portrayed Thomas Cromwell. He also appeared in "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "The Government Inspector."
4

Did Mark Rylance receive any critical acclaim for his performances?

Yes, Mark Rylance is widely praised for his acting skills and has won multiple awards, including three Tony Awards for his work on Broadway and an Academy Award for his role in "Bridge of Spies."
5

Does Mark Rylance have any involvement in charity work or social causes?

Mark Rylance is known for supporting various charitable causes, including environmental conservation efforts and human rights initiatives. He has been actively involved in raising awareness and funds for these important issues.

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Childhood & Early Life

David Mark Rylance Waters was born in Ashford, Kent, England on 18th January 1960. His parents Anne and David Waters were both English teachers. He has a sister named Susannah, who is an opera singer and author, and a brother, Jonathan, who is a wine professional.

His family moved to the US in 1962. Rylance attended the University School of Milawaukee, where his father taught as well.

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Career

After completing his training from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art as well as the Chrysalis Theatre School, Mark Rylance first worked with the Glasgow Citizens' Theatre in 1980.

Soon he started performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. The plays he appeared in during his early career include 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1986), 'Hamlet' (1989) and 'Romeo and Juliet' (1989).

He made his big screen debut in the 1987 film 'Hearts of Fire'. In 1991, he played the lead role in the film 'The Grass Arena'. Rylance won the Radio Times Award for Best Newcomer for his performance. The following year, he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his role in a production of Shakespeare's 'Much Ado about Nothing'.

In 1995, he played the lead role in the Oscar nominated film 'Angels and Insects'. Directed by Philip Haas, the film revolved around the life of a skilled naturalist. He was next seen in the film 'Intimacy' which released in 2001.

Though he didn't appear in many films during the 2000s, he won the British Academy Television Award for his lead role in 'The Government Inspector' a 2005 Television film based on the life of Welsh scientist David Kelly.

Rylance won the Tony award in 2008 for his performance in the play 'Boeing Boeing'. His role of Johnny Byron in the play 'Jerusalem' won him a Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actor. He won his second Tony Award and Olivier award for the same role in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, he also appeared in the films 'Anonymous' and 'Blitz' in supporting roles.

In 2015, he earned a nomination for the Emmy award for his lead role in the TV miniseries 'Wolf Hall'. It was adapted from two historical novels 'Wolf Hall' and 'Bring Up the Bodies'. The same year, he was seen in the films 'Bridge of Spies' and 'The Gunman' in significant roles.

He also played a supporting role in Steven Spielberg's film 'Bridge of Spies'. The film received critical acclaim. Rylance won several awards for his performance including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He was next seen in Steven Spielberg's 'The BFG' (2016) and Christopher Nolan's 'Dunkirk' (2017).

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Major Works

Mark Rylance won the Oscar for his role in the 2015 historical drama film ‘Bridge of Spies’. The film was directed by the renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg. With Rylance in a supporting role, the film also starred Tom Hanks, Amy Ryan, Sebastian Koch and Alan Alda. It was a huge success critically and commercially. The film was nominated for six Oscars, out of which it won one.

He played the lead role in Steven Spielberg’s 2016 fantasy film ‘The BFG’. The film also starred Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement and Rebecca Hall. The film was an average commercial success, grossing $183 million on a budget of $140 million. It received average reviews from critics. The film was nominated for several awards including the ‘British Academy Film and Television Award’.

His most recent work is his supporting role in the 2017 film ‘Dunkirk’. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film also stars Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, James D'Arcy and Barry Keoghan. It was a commercial success, grossing more than five times its budget. Some critics have called it the greatest war film in the history of cinema.

Awards & Achievements

Mark Rylance’s biggest achievement was wining the Academy Award in 2016 for his performance in the historical drama film ‘Bridge of Spies’. His work in the film also won him a ‘British Academy Film Award’.

He has won a total of three Tony Awards, for his performance in the plays ‘Boeing Boeing’, ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Twelfth Night’ in 2009, 2012, and 2014 respectively.

He earned nominations for the Golden Globe Award as well, for his work in ‘Bridge of Spies’ and the TV miniseries ‘Wolf Hall’. His work in ‘Wolf Hall’ also got him nominated for the Emmy Award.

He is also a recipient of several other awards such as the ‘Laurence Oliver Award’ and the ‘Boston Society of Film Critics Award’.

Personal Life

Mark Rylance is married to English director Claire van Kampen since 1989. Through this marriage, he became a stepfather to two daughters. One of them passed away in 2012.

Rylance is a patron of several organizations such as the 'London International Festival of Theatre' as well as 'Peace Direct,’ a charity organization. He also supports several organizations such as ‘Survival International’, which stands for indigenous rights.

Facts About Mark Rylance

Mark Rylance is known for his unique approach to acting, often incorporating elements of improvisation and spontaneity into his performances.

In addition to his successful acting career, Rylance is also a talented playwright and has written several plays that have been well-received by audiences and critics alike.

Rylance has a passion for music and has been known to play various instruments, including the guitar and the piano, in his spare time.

Despite his immense talent and success in the entertainment industry, Rylance maintains a down-to-earth demeanor and is known for his humility and kindness towards others.

Rylance is a dedicated environmentalist and has been actively involved in various conservation efforts to protect the planet for future generations.

Mark Rylance Biography

You wanted to know

What are some famous movies Mark Rylance has starred in?

Has Mark Rylance ever worked in theater productions?

Is Mark Rylance known for any notable television roles?

Did Mark Rylance receive any critical acclaim for his performances?

Does Mark Rylance have any involvement in charity work or social causes?