kids encyclopedia robot

Tom Hollander facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Tom Hollander
Tom Hollander 2017.jpg
Hollander in 2017
Born
Thomas Anthony Hollander

(1967-08-25) 25 August 1967 (age 56)
Bristol, England, UK
Education Abingdon School
Selwyn College, Cambridge
Occupation Actor
Years active 1981–present

Thomas Anthony Hollander (/ˈhɒləndər/; born 25 August 1967) is a British actor. As a child Hollander trained with the National Youth Theatre and was later involved in stage productions as a member of the Footlights and was president of the Marlowe Society. He later gained success for his roles on stage and screen, winning a BAFTA Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as nominations for a Tony Award and Olivier Award.

He began his career in theatre, winning the Ian Charleson Award in 1992 for his performance as Witwoud in The Way of the World at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. He made his Broadway debut in David Hare's The Judas Kiss in 1998. He appeared as Henry Carr in a revival of Tom Stoppard's play Travesties, earning nominations for the Olivier Award for Best Actor and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play.

Hollander gained attention for portraying Mr. Collins in Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice (2005) and as Lord Cutler Beckett in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Other film roles include in Gosford Park (2001), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), Valkyrie (2008), In the Loop (2009), Hanna (2011), About Time (2013), The Invisible Woman (2013), Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), and Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).

He's also known for his television roles including as the lead role in the BBC sitcom Rev. (2010–2014) which he co-wrote for which he received the BAFTA Award for best sitcom in 2011. For his role in the BBC series The Night Manager he won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He portrayed King George V in BBC's The Lost Prince (2001), and King George III in HBO miniseries John Adams (2008) and also starred in ITV's Doctor Thorne, and HBO's The White Lotus (2022). He voices Alfred Pennyworth in the animated series Harley Quinn (2020–present).

Early life

Hollander was born in Bristol and was raised in Oxford. Hollander's father is a Czech Jew whose family converted to Catholicism, and his mother is English; Hollander was brought up as a Christian. The family background was academic and musical – his grandfather, Hans Hollander, was a musicologist who wrote books about the composer Janáček. Hollander's parents were teachers, his father running the science department at a prestigious school in Oxford. He attended the Dragon School and then Abingdon School, where he was chief chorister. As a youngster, he was a member of the National Youth Theatre and the National Youth Music Theatre (then known as the Children's Music Theatre). In 1981, at the age of 14, he won the lead role in a BBC dramatisation of Leon Garfield's John Diamond.

Hollander read English at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He was actively involved in stage productions as a member of the Footlights and was president of the Marlowe Society. Sam Mendes, a friend and fellow student, directed him in several plays while they were at Cambridge, including a critically acclaimed production of Cyrano de Bergerac (which also featured future Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg).

Career

Film and television work

Hollander's film and television appearances include Absolutely Fabulous, Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence, Wives and Daughters, Harry, Cambridge Spies for which he received the FIPA D'OR Grand prize for best actor, Gosford Park, The Lost Prince and Pride & Prejudice for which he received the Evening Standard Film Awards Comedy Award, and London Critics Circle Best Supporting Actor. He has worked repeatedly with Michael Gambon and Bill Nighy and is a good friend of James Purefoy. Although highly respected as a character actor and the recipient of several awards, many of his films will still play on his height (5' 5" / 165 cm). Hollander has created several memorable comedic characters that draw more on his physical energy and intensity than his height, such as the "brilliantly foul-mouthed" Leon in BBC Two's Freezing, described in The Times as a "braying swirl of ego and mania".

Hollander portrayed Lord Cutler Beckett, the "heavy" in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. He also appeared in the TNT miniseries The Company as Kim Philby, having previously played Guy Burgess in the BBC's Cambridge Spies. He returned to the stage in 2007 with the premiere of Joe Penhall's play Landscape with Weapon at the Royal National Theatre. In 2008 he made a notable cameo appearance as King George III in the HBO mini-series John Adams, and ended the year as a memorable Colonel Heinz Brandt in Valkyrie.

In 2009, Hollander played a symphonic cellist in Joe Wright's movie The Soloist, his second film with Wright, who cast him to great effect as the fevered suitor Mr. Collins in 2005's Pride and Prejudice. He has worked once more with Wright, portraying a memorably flamboyant and menacing villain in Hanna (2011). Hollander appeared in a lead role in Armando Iannucci's In the Loop as Secretary of State for International Development Simon Foster MP. Hollander later made a surprise appearance (in a different role) at the end of the third series of The Thick of It, the programme on which In the Loop was based.

In 2010, Hollander and writer James Wood co-created the TV series Rev., a sensitive comedy about the all-too-human vicar of an inner-city parish. Reviews called it intelligent, realistic and very funny. Hollander played the sympathetic title character, Rev. Adam Smallbone. The show won a BAFTA in 2011 for Best Situation Comedy, among other awards and recognition. A second series aired in the UK on BBC 2 in 2011 and a third series in 2014. He has been praised for his role as the "inebriated and endearing, menacing and beguiling" chemist, Dr George Cholmondeley, appearing in five episodes of the BBC / FX 2017 series Taboo with one commenter describing him as "giving a masterclass on how to create dimension and personality, even with limited screen time."

Hollander played Queen's second manager Jim Beach in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which was released in November 2018. Upon the firing of director Bryan Singer from the film in December 2017, it was reported Hollander had previously left the film due to issues with Singer; he was ultimately convinced to continue, though whether this was due to Singer's exit is unknown. Also in 2018, Hollander played Tabaqui, a hyena in Andy Serkis' motion capture film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle.

Theatre

Hollander won the 1992 Ian Charleson Award for his performance as Witwoud in The Way of the World at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. He had been nominated and commended the previous year for his Celia in an all-male production of As You Like It for Cheek by Jowl and was again nominated and commended for his Khlestakov in The Government Inspector at the Almeida Theatre in 1997. He had also received a special commendation for his 1996 performance of the title role in Tartuffe at the Almeida Theatre. In all, Hollander has been the most frequent Ian Charleson Award honoree, with four appearances at the awards: one win, two commendations and one special commendation.

In 2010, Hollander returned to the live stage in a demanding comedic dual role in Georges Feydeau's A Flea in Her Ear at the Old Vic. Playing both master and servant with "lightning physical precision and shockingly true confusion", Hollander's was called "a virtuoso performance". Between September and November 2016 he starred as (a "career-best") Henry Carr in Patrick Marber's "superb revival" of Tom Stoppard's Travesties at the Menier Chocolate Factory. The play (with the same cast) transferred to the Apollo Theatre in February 2017 and was nominated for five Olivier Awards including Best Actor (Hollander) and Best Revival (Travesties). Marber's revival transferred to Broadway in 2018, with Hollander reprising his leading role as Carr. The play opened on 24 April 2018 (previews 29 March) at the Roundabout Theatre Company's American Airlines Theater in New York. Hollander received a Tony Award nomination for the production.

In 2022, Hollander returned to the Almeida Theatre to play the lead role of Boris Berezovsky in the inaugural run of Patriots, a play by Peter Morgan about the late Russian oligarch's life.

Voice work

Hollander has undertaken a number of voice roles for BBC radio including Mosca in 2004's Volpone for Radio 3, Frank Churchill in Jane Austen's Emma and as Mr Gently Benevolent in the pilot of the Dickensian parody Bleak Expectations for Radio 4, although he did not take part in the full series. He has voiced a young Joseph Merrick, the "Elephant Man", a disembodied head named Enzio in an urban gothic comedy and Leon Theremin, the Russian inventor famous for the electronic instrument that bears his name. He provided the vocal texture for Anthony Burgess' A Clockwork Orange recently with a "smooth, almost lyrical, crisp voice" that accomplished the task of rendering the extensive and unique slang of the book instantly understandable to readers. More recent readings include The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling. In 2015 (repeated in April 2017) he played Patrick Moore in the BBC radio play Far Side of the Moore about the astronomer and his Sky at Night TV programme. In May 2016 he portrayed Geoff Cathcart in Andy Mulligan's four-part play School Drama on BBC Radio 4 which was chosen by The Guardian as that week's best radio and he narrated Peter Bradshaw's short story Reunion, broadcast on Radio 4 in October 2016. He has also portrayed the Russian artist Kazimir Malevich in Margy Kinmonth's documentary Revolution: New Art for a New World which was released in the UK and Ireland in November 2016.

Year Audiobook title Author Notes
2006 In the Company of the *** Sarah Dunant
2009 The Lieutenant Kate Grenville
Cityboy: Beer and Loathing in the Square Geraint Anderson
2010 A Clockwork Orange Anthony Burgess
2012 The Casual Vacancy J. K. Rowling
Conrad: The Chrestomanci Series Diana Wynne Jones
2016 Agatha Christie: Twelve Radio Mysteries Agatha Christie Hollander is one of several narrators
2017 A Legacy of Spies John le Carré digital download released on 7 September 2017, CD on 5 October 2017.

Writing

Since 2008, he has written an occasional diary-style column for The Spectator, and a lifestyle article in the Times which received very positive reader comments.

Charity work

Hollander has contributed his running and cycling efforts to several charitable causes, including running to raise funds for the Childline Crisis Hotline in 2006 and in 2007, for the Teenage Cancer Trust. He is a long-time supporter of the Helen & Douglas House Hospice for Children and Young Adults in Oxford, which provides hospice care for children. He continues to support charitable organisations by contributing readings and other appearances throughout the year.

Hollander is a patron of the British Independent Film Awards and has supported the efforts of the Old Vic's "24 Hour Plays New Voices" Gala, which forwards the cause of young writers for the British stage. In August 2014, he was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence in the run-up to September's referendum on that issue.

Personal life

Hollander's sister is director, writer and singer Julia Hollander. The siblings, and their father Tony Hollander, presented a BBC Radio 3 documentary in 2020, exploring the story of how Tony and his parents escaped from the imminent Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1938. A letter from a BBC radio sound engineer saved his father's life.

Hollander has lived in the same flat in Notting Hill, London, since 2000. In 2010 he became engaged to the designer Fran Hickman.

In January 2016, he became an Honorary Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1993 Sylvia Hates Sam Friend Short
1996 Some Mother's Son Farnsworth
True Blue Sam Peterson
1998 Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely Not! Paolo Ferruzzi Video
Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence Daniel
Bedrooms and Hallways Darren
1999 The Clandestine Marriage Sir John Ogelby
2000 The Announcement Ben
Maybe Baby Ewan Proclaimer
2001 Enigma Logie
Lawless Heart Nick
Gosford Park Anthony Meredith
2002 Possession Euan
2004 Piccadilly Jim Willie Partridge
Stage Beauty Sir Peter Lely
Paparazzi Leonard Clarke
The Libertine Etherege
2005 Pride & Prejudice Mr. Collins
2006 The Darwin Awards Henry
Land of the Blind Maximilian II
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Cutler Beckett
A Good Year Charlie Willis
Rabbit Fever Tod Best
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Cutler Beckett
Elizabeth: The Golden Age Sir Amyas Paulet
2008 Valkyrie Colonel Heinz Brandt
2009 In the Loop Simon Foster
The Soloist Graham Claydon
2010 Away We Stay David Short
2011 Hanna Isaacs
The Voorman Problem Voorman Short film
2012 Whole Lotta Sole James Butler Uncredited role
A Liar's Autobiography Recording Engineer Voice
Mother’s Milk Narrator (voice)
Byzantium Teacher Uncredited role
2013 About Time Harry
The Invisible Woman Wilkie Collins
2014 Muppets Most Wanted Irish Journalist
The Riot Club Jeremy Villiers
2015 Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
2016 The Promise Garin
Revolution: New Art for a New World Kazimir Malevich Voice; Documentary film
2017 Holy Lands Moshe
Tulip Fever Dr Sorgh
Breathe Bloggs and David Blacker
2018 A Private War Sean Ryan
Bohemian Rhapsody Jim Beach
Bird Box Gary
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Tabaqui Voice
2021 Extinct Charles Darwin Voice
The King's Man George V / Wilhelm II / Nicholas II
2022 The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse The Mole Voice; Short film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1981 John Diamond William Jones TV film
1993–1995 Harry Jonathan 19 episodes
1994 Milner Ben Milner TV film
1995 The Bill O'Leary Episode: "Getaway"
1996 Absolutely Fabulous Paolo Ferruzzi 2 episodes
1997 Gobble Pipsqueak TV film
1999 Wives and Daughters Osborne Hamley Miniseries (4 episodes)
2001 The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby Mr Mantalini TV film
2003 The Lost Prince George V TV film
Cambridge Spies Guy Burgess Miniseries (4 episodes)
2004 The Hotel in Amsterdam Laurie TV film
London T. S. Eliot TV film
2005 Bridezillas Narrator Episode: "Korliss and Noelle"
2006–2022 American Dad! Various characters Voice; 12 episodes
2007 The Company Adrian Philby Miniseries (6 episodes)
2007–2008 Freezing Leon 3 episodes
2008 John Adams King George III Episode: "Reunion"
Headcases David Cameron Various voices; 2 episodes
The Meant to Be's TV film
2009 Desperate Romantics John Ruskin 6 episodes
Gracie! Monty Banks TV film
The Thick of It Cal Richards Episode #3.8
Legally Mad Steven Pearle unaired pilot
2010 Any Human Heart Edward, Duke of Windsor 3 episodes
2010–2014 Rev. The Rev. Adam Smallbone 3 series, 19 episodes;
also creator, writer, and executive producer
2011 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Chuck (voice) Episode: "Vampirus"
2012,
2018–2021
Family Guy Various characters Voice; 4 episodes
2013 Ambassadors Prince Mark 2 episodes
2014 A Poet in New York Dylan Thomas TV film
2016 The Night Manager Lance "Corky" Corkoran Miniseries (6 episodes)
Doctor Thorne Doctor Thorne 3 episodes
2017 Taboo George Cholmondeley 5 episodes
2018 CBeebies Bedtime Story Nico. Rebel One-off
2019 Baptiste Edward Stratton 6 episodes
2020 Us Douglas Petersen 4 episodes
Robot Chicken Percival, Professor X Voice; Episode: "Max Caenen In: Why Would He Know If His Mother's a Size Queen"
2020–present Harley Quinn Alfred Pennyworth Voice; 12 episodes
2021 A Tale Dark & Grimm Moon Voice; 3 episodes
2022 The Ipcress File Major Dalby 6 episodes
The White Lotus Quentin Main role (season 2)
2024 Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans Truman Capote Upcoming series

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
1994–95 The Threepenny Opera Macheath Donmar Warehouse, West End
1997 The Government Inspector Performer Almeida Theatre, West End
1998 The Judas Kiss Bosie Almeida Theatre, West End
Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway
2003 The Hotel In Amsterdam (John Osborne) Laurie Donmar Warehouse
2016 Travesties Henry Carr Menier Chocolate Factory, West End
2017 Apollo Theatre, West End
2018 American Airlines Theatre, Broadway
2022–23 Patriots Boris Berezovsky Almeida Theatre, West End

Video games

Year Title Voice role Notes
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Cutler Beckett

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Film and Television Awards
2010 BAFTA Awards Best Supporting Actor Gracie! Nominated
2011 Best Male Comedy Performance Rev. Nominated
2012 Best Scripted Comedy Nominated
Best Male Comedy Performance Nominated
2015 Nominated
2017 Best Supporting Actor The Night Manager Won
2005 British Independent Film Award Best Supporting Actor Libertine Nominated
2009 In the Loop Nominated
2005 Evening Standard British Film Awards Peter Sellers Award for Comedy Pride and Prejudice Won
2005 London Critics Circle Film Awards British Supporting Actor Won
2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Gosford Park Won
2018 Bohemian Rhapsody Nominated
2023 Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series The White Lotus: Sicily Won
Theatre Awards
2018 Tony Award Best Actor in a Play Travesties Nominated
2018 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated
2018 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
2018 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated
2017 Laurence Olivier Awards Best Actor Nominated
2023 Patriots Nominated

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tom Hollander para niños

  • List of Old Abingdonians
kids search engine
Tom Hollander Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.