Hugh Bonneville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hugh Bonneville
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Bonneville in 2017
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| Born |
Hugh Richard Bonniwell Williams
10 November 1963 Paddington, London, England
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| Alma mater | Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (BA) Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Known for | Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey |
| Spouse(s) |
Lucinda Williams
(m. 1998; separated 2023) |
| Children | 1 |
Hugh Bonneville is a famous English actor. He was born as Hugh Richard Bonniwell Williams on November 10, 1963. He is well-known for playing Robert Crawley, the Earl of Grantham, in the TV show Downton Abbey. This popular show was on ITV from 2010 to 2015.
His acting in Downton Abbey earned him many awards. He was nominated for a Golden Globe and two Primetime Emmy Awards. He also won three Screen Actors Guild Awards with the cast. Hugh Bonneville played his Downton Abbey role again in the movies Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022).
He has also been in other popular films. These include Notting Hill (1999), Iris (2001), and The Monuments Men (2014). Many kids know him as Mr. Brown from the Paddington movies (2014–present).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hugh Bonneville was born in Paddington, London, England. His mother worked as a nurse. His father was a urological surgeon, a doctor who specializes in the urinary system.
Hugh went to Dulwich College Preparatory School. Then he attended Sherborne School, which is a private school in Dorset. After school, he studied theology at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He earned a degree in theology from Cambridge University. Later, he studied acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He also trained with the National Youth Theatre.
Acting Career Highlights
Hugh Bonneville started his acting career on stage. His first professional play was at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park. In 1987, he joined the Royal National Theatre. He performed in many plays there. Then, in 1991, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. He played Laertes in Hamlet and Valentine in The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
First TV and Film Roles
In 1994, Hugh Bonneville first appeared on television. He was in an episode of The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes. His first movie was Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in 1994. In his early roles, he often played kind, sometimes clumsy, characters. For example, he was Bernie in Notting Hill (1999).
Playing Different Characters
In the early 2000s, Hugh started playing different kinds of roles. He played some villainous characters in TV shows like Take a Girl Like You (2000). He also played a psychopathic killer in The Commander (2003).
One of his most praised roles was in the film Iris (2001). He played a younger version of writer John Bayley. His performance was so good that he was nominated for a BAFTA award. In 2004, he played Sir Christopher Wren, a famous architect, in a TV documentary.
Downton Abbey and Beyond
From 2010 to 2015, Hugh Bonneville starred in Downton Abbey. He played Robert, Earl of Grantham. This role made him very famous around the world. He also appeared in the comedy series Twenty Twelve (2011–2012) and W1A (2014).
He is also well-known for playing Mr. Brown in the Paddington movies (2014 and 2017). He narrated several Paddington audiobooks too. In 2017, he played Lord Mountbatten in the film Viceroy's House. He also voiced Merlin in the Thomas & Friends movie.
Since 2018, Hugh Bonneville has been the host and narrator for "From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration" on PBS in the United States. In 2019, he played C. S. Lewis, a famous author, in a play called Shadowlands.
Recent Work
In 2023, Hugh Bonneville was the host of the Coronation Concert for King Charles III. It was announced in June 2023 that he will return for the third Paddington movie. He continues to take on interesting roles in films and TV shows.
Personal Life and Charity Work
Hugh Bonneville married Lucinda Williams in 1998. They have one son. They lived in West Sussex. In September 2023, they separated.
Hugh Bonneville supports several charities. He is a patron of London children's charities like Go Live Theatre Projects and Scene & Heard. He is also an ambassador for WaterAid, which helps people get clean water. In 2019, he was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex. This is an honorary role that supports the Lord Lieutenant of the county.
Awards and Recognition
Hugh Bonneville has received many awards and nominations for his acting.
- In 2001, he was nominated for a British Academy Film Award for Iris.
- He won a New Talent Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2002 for Iris.
- For Downton Abbey, he was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.
- He also received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Downton Abbey.
- The cast of Downton Abbey won three Screen Actors Guild Awards for their amazing teamwork.
- He has also been nominated for British Comedy Awards and British Academy Television Awards for his comedy roles in Twenty Twelve and W1A.
Hugh Bonneville has also received honorary degrees. In 2019, he received a Doctor of Arts from the University of Winchester. In 2024, he received a Doctor of Theatre from the University of Chichester.
Images for kids
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Bonneville in 2017
