Ben Whishaw

Birthday: 14 October 1980, Clifton, Bedfordshire, England, UK

Birth Name: Benjamin John Whishaw

Height: 175 cm

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). Hide

The most amazing thing is when you find yourself watching someone in the café or something doing so Show more The most amazing thing is when you find yourself watching someone in the café or something doing something weird. It's amazing what people do, isn't it, when you just look at them, when you take the time to look. Hide

I think being very thin has had a lot to do with how I've been cast. I think being very thin has had a lot to do with how I've been cast.

I love films. I love music. I love poetry and stories. All of that I feel... I sort of get very exci Show more I love films. I love music. I love poetry and stories. All of that I feel... I sort of get very excited and fed by. Hide

I didn't really get much. I was with all these beautiful girls who I've murdered, all looking gorgeo Show more I didn't really get much. I was with all these beautiful girls who I've murdered, all looking gorgeous, and I was the spare prick at the wedding. - About Berlin Film Festival's paparazzi. Hide

My intuition comes up with better stuff than my head, I think. My intuition comes up with better stuff than my head, I think.

In film, I find it very useful always to do some preparation before you start rehearsals or start sh Show more In film, I find it very useful always to do some preparation before you start rehearsals or start shooting, because there's so much that's against you on a film set. Hide

I find it weird that people want to know about you. I find it weird that people want to know about you.

I don't think anyone can walk through the world in a state of vulnerability all the time, can they? I don't think anyone can walk through the world in a state of vulnerability all the time, can they?

I do get stopped on the street, although rarely. And they always have something lovely to say. I do get stopped on the street, although rarely. And they always have something lovely to say.

I began to feel that he was a character who, left to his own devices, wouldn't really speak at all. Show more I began to feel that he was a character who, left to his own devices, wouldn't really speak at all. I thought about him as being autistic in some way. He simply doesn't understand human beings. Social situations terrify him. On the character Jean-Baptiste Grenouille Hide

I think the sensation of being moved by a piece of art is something that is really good for a person Show more I think the sensation of being moved by a piece of art is something that is really good for a person's soul. Hide

I find it really hard to say anything coherent or interesting about the work I do. I find it really hard to say anything coherent or interesting about the work I do.

I think that sometimes in theater, I don't prepare much beyond going to the rehearsals. I think that sometimes in theater, I don't prepare much beyond going to the rehearsals.

The thing I love most about acting is that your capacity evolves as you evolve as a human being. The thing I love most about acting is that your capacity evolves as you evolve as a human being.

I'm so lucky to be able to do what I do, and it would be abusing it just to make money. I don't need Show more I'm so lucky to be able to do what I do, and it would be abusing it just to make money. I don't need lots of money, I'm not motivated by that. I would feel really dirty I think. Hide

I think I have a degree of confidence, but I also have terrible insecurity, like anybody does. I think I have a degree of confidence, but I also have terrible insecurity, like anybody does.

I am a typical Libran. I tend to see two sides of everything. I am a typical Libran. I tend to see two sides of everything.

What I notice about people who are gifted in filmmaking is that they're great thinkers. They engage Show more What I notice about people who are gifted in filmmaking is that they're great thinkers. They engage with big ideas and they engage with people. Hide

I'd like to have a go at directing. I'd like to have a go at directing.

There are certainly other things I'd like to have a go at one day.I'd like to have a go at directing Show more There are certainly other things I'd like to have a go at one day.I'd like to have a go at directing. Or maybe I'll go back to painting. Or maybe thinking about those things is just my way of protecting myself if it all goes wrong. Hide

We are so mired in the complexity of our reactions to other people that when you come across someone Show more We are so mired in the complexity of our reactions to other people that when you come across someone who is asocial, there is a simplicity that is refreshing. Hide

I love the characters I've had the opportunity to play. I love the characters I've had the opportunity to play.

I wish that the arts were better supported, and you can't say that enough times, but I also believe Show more I wish that the arts were better supported, and you can't say that enough times, but I also believe that whatever happens, artists will keep going. Hide

The criminal justice system, like any system designed by human beings, clearly has its flaws. The criminal justice system, like any system designed by human beings, clearly has its flaws.

It's fun to pretend you're good at something you know you wouldn't be good at in real life. It's fun to pretend you're good at something you know you wouldn't be good at in real life.

I'm really hopeless with technology - I don't even have a computer. I'm really hopeless with technology - I don't even have a computer.

I do think Dylan's incredible.I sort of fell in love with him. I became obsessed. But I've moved on Show more I do think Dylan's incredible.I sort of fell in love with him. I became obsessed. But I've moved on now. I always do. Hide

For me, it's important to keep a level of anonymity. For me, it's important to keep a level of anonymity.

I'm a fairly private person. I'm a fairly private person.

My favorite Bond films are the really early ones, the first ones in fact, like Dr. No (1962) and Fro Show more My favorite Bond films are the really early ones, the first ones in fact, like Dr. No (1962) and From Russia with Love (1963). Hide

The thing I love about acting is that you can bring something very personal into the open and at the Show more The thing I love about acting is that you can bring something very personal into the open and at the same time remain hidden because you're always playing a character in a story that someone else has imagined. You're always protected. Hide

It's difficult, it's a bit like acting in a silent movie. That's what Dustin Hoffman said to me, any Show more It's difficult, it's a bit like acting in a silent movie. That's what Dustin Hoffman said to me, anyway. We did the scenes with him in the first two weeks, and as he was leaving he said, 'Well now you're making a silent film, Ben; good luck!".- On making Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006) Hide

One of the things I find very difficult about theatre is the repetition - that something can slide a Show more One of the things I find very difficult about theatre is the repetition - that something can slide away from your original intentions. Hide

I don't have any ambition to make lots of money or win an Oscar or anything like that. It's not abou Show more I don't have any ambition to make lots of money or win an Oscar or anything like that. It's not about that for me. I'm very lucky to have found the thing that makes me tick. Hide

I've been out to LA a couple of times but, over there, the Grenouille in me always comes to the surf Show more I've been out to LA a couple of times but, over there, the Grenouille in me always comes to the surface. I feel completely terrified, totally flummoxed, like I don't understand what the hell is going on. I've no desire at all to go back there. Hide

[on his hair] Sort of neglect of it, really. I don't wash it often. I will often put a hat on it to Show more [on his hair] Sort of neglect of it, really. I don't wash it often. I will often put a hat on it to squash it down a bit. Hide

When I finished my A-levels, I assumed I'd be able to get work as an actor. But I couldn't. I didn't Show more When I finished my A-levels, I assumed I'd be able to get work as an actor. But I couldn't. I didn't get an audition. Nothing. So I thought I'd better train and then the parts would come. Hide

I reckon domesticated cats have a pretty good life. I reckon domesticated cats have a pretty good life.

Even today, England is a very repressed, repressive country, and there's pressure to be kind of a ce Show more Even today, England is a very repressed, repressive country, and there's pressure to be kind of a certain way, so people do things that ultimately make them sad. Hide

Filmmakers tell stories to explore human nature, which is always a flawed thing. Filmmakers tell stories to explore human nature, which is always a flawed thing.

I was quite a shy child - not chronically, but I tended to blend into the background. I was quite a shy child - not chronically, but I tended to blend into the background.

I don't think I am especially interested in celebrities, but I love talking about what is going on w Show more I don't think I am especially interested in celebrities, but I love talking about what is going on with people and why they do what they do. Hide

Keats himself spoke about how Shakespeare was capable of erasing himself completely from the charact Show more Keats himself spoke about how Shakespeare was capable of erasing himself completely from the characters he had created. As an actor, that is what I'm trying to do. Hide

When you have a character to work with, you carry them around in a strange way - they make you look Show more When you have a character to work with, you carry them around in a strange way - they make you look at the world in a different way. Hide

I used to collect knick-knacks, like wizards, trolls and little Buddhas, and arrange them like preci Show more I used to collect knick-knacks, like wizards, trolls and little Buddhas, and arrange them like precious things on a shelf. Hide

I love taking on other people's words. They are much more interesting to me than my own. I love taking on other people's words. They are much more interesting to me than my own.

The thing about acting is that it's fairly random. At the end of the day you take what drifts past y Show more The thing about acting is that it's fairly random. At the end of the day you take what drifts past you or what's given to you. Hide

I would have loved to have been a painter or a sculptor. I'm still fascinated by those things. I would have loved to have been a painter or a sculptor. I'm still fascinated by those things.

I've gone on workout regimes, but I seem to have a system that is very resistant to changing. I've gone on workout regimes, but I seem to have a system that is very resistant to changing.

I'm not tortured and neurasthenic - I'm really not. I'm not tortured and neurasthenic - I'm really not.

Your one certainty in life, your power as a human being, is that you have a choice in every situatio Show more Your one certainty in life, your power as a human being, is that you have a choice in every situation about what you do next and about how you take what has happened to you. Hide

Ben Whishaw's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (66)

The Tempest

Surge

London Spy - Season 1

Brideshead Revisited

The Graham Norton Show - Season 27

The Graham Norton Show - Season 21

Criminal Justice - Season 2 (2009)

Passages [Audio: French]

Queers - Season 1

The Trench

Women Talking

Skyfall (James Bond 007)

A Very English Scandal - Season 1

The Adventures of Paddington - Season 1

The Graham Norton Show - Season 28

Paddington

The Graham Norton Show - Season 24

The Graham Norton Show - Season 26

The Danish Girl

Bad Behaviour

Fargo - Season 2

Suffragette

The Hollow Crown - Season 2

The Booze Cruise

Fargo - Season 4

Being James Bond: The Daniel Craig Story (Being James Bond)

Ben Whishaw'S roles

Herman Melville

Richard

Norman Scott

Major Boothroyd

Arthur

Paddington Bear

Sebastian Flyte

Ariel

Michael Banks

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille