AllMovie

A slightly burly, heavyset British actor of cinema and television, Jeremy Swift seemed predestined for not merely character roles, but characterizations as a slightly blustery oaf. In the process of establishing himself, he grew into a performer venerated by audiences, and one of the busiest actors in British filmdom. Swift debuted on camera in the very early '80s, with bit parts in features including Fords on Water (1983) and Mr. Love (1985), but remained offscreen in the 10 years or so that followed. He reemerged as a prolific television player in the mid-'90s on U.K. series including Next of Kin, Making the Difference, and The Grand, then experienced a substantial change of venue in 2001, when the legendary Robert Altman cast him in the period murder mystery Gosford Park. That assignment inducted Swift into cinematic releases, and he followed it up with work in outings such as Mike Barker's To Kill a King (2002), Roman Polanski's Oliver Twist (2005) (as the aptly named Mr. Bumble), and the Vince Vaughn Christmas comedy Fred Claus (2007). Also in 2007, Swift enjoyed a plum supporting role in director John Crowley's acclaimed psychological drama Boy A.