Actor. Born on December 31, 1937, in Port Talbot, South Wales. Impressive of British and American stage, TV and films. Of blue-collar descent, he showed little aptitude for formal education. Deciding on an acting career, following two years of military service, he attended the Cardiff College of Dramas, then transferred to London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Making his stage debut in 1960 and his first London appearance in 1964, he was soon recognized as a major talent. In the late 60's and early 70's he was a leading star of the National Theater, specializing in Shakespeare and the classics. He came to America in 1974 to play on Broadway in "Equus" and stayed for 10 years, appearing in occasional feature films and numerous TV movies and miniseries, impersonating characters from Quasimodo (in The Hunchback of Notre Dame) to Adolf Hitler (in The Bunker) and Yitzhak Rabin (in Victory At Entebe). He won the Oscar in 1992 for his mesmerizing portrayal of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter, a performance that reignited his career and made him one of the most sought-after prestige actors of the 90's. He maintains homes in London and Beverly Hills with his second wife, a former production assistant.
