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Mark Rylance

Birth Place: Ashford, Kent, England, UK

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BIO

Mark Rylance was born in England in 1960 and emigrated with his family to America in 1962. He lived in Connecticut until 1969 and then moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he lived until returning to London in 1978. Mark trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (1978-1980) under Hugh Cruttwell, and The Glasgow Citizens Theatre gave him his first job in 1980, a year in repertoire, a trip to the carnival in Venice with Goldoni, and an Equity card. Mark last appeared in New York at Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse in 2016 in Nice Fish, which he co-authored with the Minnesota poet Louis Jenkins, and was directed by Claire van Kampen.



The play was produced by The A.R.T. and St. Ann's, having originally been produced by Joe Dowling at The Guthrie Theatre and subsequently produced by Sonia Friedman for The Harold Pinter Theatre in London's West End. Mark last appeared at The Belasco Theatre in 2013 as the Countess Olivia in Twelfth Night, and Richard in Richard III. Both productions originated at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. They were subsequently produced by Sonia Friedman and directed by Tim Carroll, Artistic Director of The Shaw Festival, Canada. He has also appeared on Broadway as Johnny "Rooster" Byron in Jerusalem directed by Ian Rickson (The Music Box); Valere in La Bete (The Music Box) and Robert in Boeing Boeing (The Longacre), both directed by Matthew Warchus. He first played in NYC for A Theatre for a New Audience, Henry V and Touchstone, 1992-94. Recent film work includes Chris Nolan's Dunkirk, Steven Spielberg's Big Friendly Giant and Bridge of Spies.

He is heard as Flop in "Bing Bunny" for the BBC and Thomas Cromwell in "Wolf Hall," directed by Peter Kosminsky, which was aired in America in 2015 on PBS. He will appear in Steven Spielberg's new film Ready Player One, due for release in 2018. Mark was the Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (1996-2006) and during his career has acted in over 50 productions of plays by Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

He is an honorary bencher of the Middle Temple Hall in London; trustee of The Shakespearean Authorship Trust; an ambassador of SURVIVAL the movement for tribal peoples; and a patron of PEACE DIRECT, working for non-violent resolution of conflict. In 2017, he was knighted by HRH Prince William for services to Drama.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Dr Semmelweis Dr Semmelweis
[West End]
2023
IGNAZ SEMMELWEIS [Replacement]
Pinter at the Pinter Pinter at the Pinter
[West End]
London Tenth Anniversary Celebration, 2018
Performer
Farinelli and the King Farinelli and the King
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2017
King Philippe V
Nice Fish Nice Fish
[West End]
West End Transfer, 2016
Performer
Nice Fish Nice Fish
[Off-Broadway]
New York City Premiere, 2016
Ron
Richard III Richard III
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2013
Richard III
Twelfth Night Twelfth Night
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2013
Olivia
Richard III Richard III
[West End]
Globe Theatre Transfer, 2012
Richard III
Twelfth Night Twelfth Night
[West End]
2012
Olivia
Jerusalem Jerusalem
[West End]
Return Engagement [West End], 2011
Johnny "Rooster" Byron
Jerusalem Jerusalem
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Johnny 'Rooster' Byron
La Bete La Bete
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2010
Valere
La Bete La Bete
[West End]
London Production, 2010
Valere
Boeing-Boeing Boeing-Boeing
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Robert
Two Gentlemen of Verona
[Off-Broadway]
1997
Proteus
Henry V
[Off-Broadway]
1993
King Henry the Fifth

Writing

Nice Fish
Author

Movies

Hearts of Fire
[ 1987 ] Fizz
Prospero's Books
[ 1991 ] Ferdinand
Institute Benjamenta, or This Dream That One Calls Human Life
[ 1995 ] Jakob
Angels and Insects
[ 1995 ] William Adamson
Intimacy
[ 2001 ] Jay
The Other Boleyn Girl
[ 2008 ] Sir Thom Boleyn
Anonymous
[ 2011 ] Condell
Blitz
[ 2011 ] Roberts
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre: Twelfth Night
[ 2013 ] Olivia
Days and Nights
[ 2014 ] Stephen
Bridge of Spies
[ 2015 ] Rudolf Abel
The Gunman
[ 2015 ] Terrance Cox
The BFG
[ 2016 ] BFG
Dunkirk
[ 2017 ] Mr. Dawson
Ready Player One
[ 2018 ] Anorak, Halliday
Waiting for the Barbarians
[ 2019 ] Magistrate
The Trial of the Chicago 7
[ 2020 ] William Kunstler
The Phantom of the Open
[ 2021 ] Maurice Flitcroft
Don't Look Up
[ 2021 ] Peter Isherwell
Inland
[ 2022 ] Dunleavy
The Outfit
[ 2022 ] Leonard
Bones and All
[ 2022 ] Sully

TV Shows

Bing
Flop, Flop UK & US

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Mark Rylance, Farinelli and The King

Olivier Awards - 2016 - Best Actor

Mark RylanceFarinelli And The King

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Mark Rylance, Twelfth Night


winner
Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Mark Rylance, Twelfth Night

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Mark Rylance, Richard III

Olivier Awards - 2013 - Best Actor

Mark RylanceTwelfth Night


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2011 - Best Leading Actor in a Play

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem


winner
Drama League Awards - 2011 - Distinguished Performance Award

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem


winner
Drama League Awards - 2011 - Distinguished Performance Award

Mark Rylance, La Bete


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Special Citations

Mark Rylance, La Bête and Jerusalem

Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Actor

Mark Rylance, La Bete


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem


winner
Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem


winner
Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Actor

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem


winner
Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Actor

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2009 - Best Actor

Mark Rylance, Jerusalem


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing

Olivier Awards - 2008 - Best Actor

Mark Rylance, Boeing Boeing


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2008 - Performance

Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing


winner
Tony Awards - 2008 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Mark Rylance, Boeing-Boeing

Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Actor

Mark RylanceTwelfth Night


winner
Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Actor

Mark RylanceMuch Ado About Nothing

Olivier Awards - 1983 - Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role

Mark RylanceArden Of Faversham

Videos

More Video

News


Kristin Scott Thomas and Johnny Flynn Join Mark Rylance in VENUS AND ADONIS Photo
Kristin Scott Thomas and Johnny Flynn Join Mark Rylance in VENUS AND ADONIS

Kristin Scott Thomas and Johnny Flynn will perform alongside Mark Rylance – the venue's Patron – in Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis on Sunday 17 November at 7.00pm, as part of a fundraiser in aid of the theatre.
Show of the Week: Save Up to 41% on JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK at the Gielgud Theatre Photo
Show of the Week: Save Up to 41% on JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK at the Gielgud Theatre

Save up to 41% on Juno And The Paycock at the Gielgud Theatre. Tickets are available from £25!
The Criterion Mobile Closet Sets Brooklyn as Next Stop Photo
The Criterion Mobile Closet Sets Brooklyn as Next Stop

In celebration of their 40th anniversary, Criterion will continue traveling the Criterion Closet Picks show to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 from 10am-6pm daily, in partnership with St. Ann’s Warehouse, where Criterion will also screen the best of its 15 years of Closet Picks.
Review Roundup: Did Mark Rylance and J. Smith-Cameron Impress in JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK Photo
Review Roundup: Did Mark Rylance and J. Smith-Cameron Impress in JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK?

Tony award-nominee J. Smith-Cameron stars as Juno Boyle opposite Mark Rylance as ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle in a highly anticipated new production of Juno and the Paycock, Seán O’Casey's timeless masterpiece, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus. So what did the critics think? Read the reviews.
Photos: J. Smith-Cameron, Mark Rylance, & More in JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK Photo
Photos: J. Smith-Cameron, Mark Rylance, & More in JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK

Check out photos from the West End production of JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK starring J. Smith-Cameron, Mark Rylance, and more here!
Review: JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK, Gielgud Theatre Photo
Review: JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK, Gielgud Theatre

A cost of living crisis, people being fit to work but choosing not to, poverty, nationalism and women's control of their own bodies. Seán O'Casey's Juno and the Paycock may have first been performed at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1924, but a century later, his tragicomedy resonates more strongly than ever.
Review Roundup: THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA by Jez Butterworth Opens on Broadway Photo
Review Roundup: THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA by Jez Butterworth Opens on Broadway

The New York premiere of Jez Butterworth’s new play The Hills of California, directed by Sam Mendes, opened on Broadway tonight, Sunday, September 29th at the Broadhurst Theatre. Check out what the critics had to say here!
THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA Brings Sam Mendes & Jez Butterworth Back To Broadway Photo
THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA Brings Sam Mendes & Jez Butterworth Back To Broadway

One of the most dynamic theatrical duos of the modern era, director Sam Mendes and playwright Jez Butterworth, return to Broadway this season with the new work, The Hills of California.
Theatre For A New Audience Founder Jeffrey Horowitz To Retire Photo
Theatre For A New Audience Founder Jeffrey Horowitz To Retire

Jeffrey Horowitz, Founder of Theatre for a New Audience, having led and grown the not-for-profit organization since 1979, will retire on August 31, 2025, at the end of TFANA's just-announced season of Shakespeare alongside plays by classical and contemporary playwrights.
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All the Broadway Connections to Marvel's AGATHA ALL ALONG

Starring bonafide Broadway legend Patti LuPone along with new music from Frozen songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, learn about all of the Broadway connections to Agatha All Along.
Full Cast Set For The RSC's OTHELLO Photo
Full Cast Set For The RSC's OTHELLO

The Royal Shakespeare Company announced the full cast for its upcoming production of OTHELLO, featuring Hugh Quarshie in the title role and Lucian Msamati as Iago. The production opens in November.
Full Cast Set For JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK Starring J. Smith-Cameron and Mark Rylance Photo
Full Cast Set For JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK Starring J. Smith-Cameron and Mark Rylance

The full cast has been announced for the new production of Seán O'Casey's timeless masterpiece, Juno and the Paycock, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus.
Industry Pro Newsletter: Legal Battles, Leadership Changes, and Financial Struggles Photo
Industry Pro Newsletter: Legal Battles, Leadership Changes, and Financial Struggles

In New York, leadership transitions at Lincoln Center signal a new chapter, while regional theaters like Timeline and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival push forward with ambitious projects despite financial hurdles. Internationally, theaters like the Bristol Old Vic and the Old Vic in London grapple with ethical and economic dilemmas.
Theatre for a New Audience Sets World Premiere Musical & More for 2024-25 Season Photo
Theatre for a New Audience Sets World Premiere Musical & More for 2024-25 Season

Theatre for a New Audience has revealed its 2024-25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
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How You Know These HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Actors from the Stage

Whether you are Team Black or Team Green, there is probably a stage veteran on your side. Actors include Tony Award winners, current Broadway stars, and Royal Shakespeare Company members. Take a look here to find out which stars you may recognize from the theatre, including Gayle Rankin, Sir Simon Russell Beale, Eve Best, and more.
Video: Jeremy Strong Accepts Tony Award For AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Photo
Video: Jeremy Strong Accepts Tony Award For AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE

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Rap Icon Nas Joins Creative And Producing Team For BEAT STREET Stage Adaptation

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THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA, Directed by Sam Mendes, Will Open on Broadway Photo
THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA, Directed by Sam Mendes, Will Open on Broadway

Jez Butterworth’s new play The Hills of California, directed by Sam Mendes, will open on Broadway this fall! The play will perform a limited engagement at the Broadhurst Theatre with previews beginning in September.
AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE's Jeremy Strong Wins 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Photo
AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE's Jeremy Strong Wins 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Jeremy Strong has won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.
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More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Mark Rylance been in?

Mark Rylance has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Mark Rylance been in?

Mark Rylance has appeared on London's West End in 8 shows.

What was Mark Rylance's first West End show?

Mark Rylance's first West End show was La Bete which opened in 2010

What awards has Mark Rylance been nominated for?

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Farinelli and The King, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Farinelli And The King, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Twelfth Night , Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Richard III, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Leading Actor in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Jerusalem, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Jerusalem, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Jerusalem, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for La Bete, Special Citations (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for La Bête and Jerusalem, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for La Bete, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Jerusalem, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Jerusalem, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Jerusalem, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Jerusalem, Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Jerusalem, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Boeing-Boeing, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Boeing Boeing, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Boeing-Boeing, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Boeing-Boeing, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing and Actor of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Arden Of Faversham.

What awards has Mark Rylance won?

Mark Rylance has won several prestigious awards, including: - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Twelfth Night - Best Leading Actor in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Jerusalem - Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Jerusalem - Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for La Bête - Special Citations (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for La Bête and Jerusalem - Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Jerusalem - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Jerusalem - Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Jerusalem - Best Actor (Evening Standard Awards) for Jerusalem - Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Boeing-Boeing - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Boeing-Boeing - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Boeing-Boeing - Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing.

How many shows has Mark Rylance written?

Mark Rylance has written 1 shows including Nice Fish (Author).

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