Unlike some Englishmen who have been known to play against type (portraying Americans et al.), unconventionally attractive British actor Tom Hollander banked off of his Anglo roots and accent by building up an impressive resumé of English characterizations, Cockney and otherwise. He earned some of his first screen credits on the cult sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, then moved quickly into feature work, hitting both highs (Gosford Park, Pride & Prejudice) and lows (Paparazzi) -- though nearly always in supporting capacities. In 2007, Hollander essayed memorable roles as Sir Aymas in the Cate Blanchett period film Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Cutler Beckett in the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced farce Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.
Tom Hollander
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- Was the president of the theatre club the Marlowe Society while at the University of Cambridge, which is dedicated to achieving high standards of student drama.
- While at Cambridge, played the lead in a production of Cyrano de Bergerac that was directed by Sam Mendes and also featured former British deputy prime minister Nick Clegg.
- Won the Ian Charleson Award in 1992 for his performances as Witwoud in The Way Of The World at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith.
- Has raised money for various charities by running and cycling, including The Teenage Cancer Trust in 2007.
- Played the roles of Victor Emmanuel Chandebise and Poche in a theatre production of A Flea In Her Ear in 2010 at the Old Vic theatre in London.
- Along with Helen Mirren, Ralph Fiennes and others, he is a patron of the British Independent Film Awards, which celebrates achievements in independently-funded British cinema.