Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh

Acting
Born 1960-12-10Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

Biography

Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh (born 10 December 1960) is a British actor and filmmaker. Born in Belfast and raised primarily in Reading, Berkshire, Branagh trained at RADA in London and served as its president from 2015 to 2024. His accolades include an Academy Award, four BAFTAs, two Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Olivier Award. He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in 2012 and was given Freedom of the City in his native Belfast in 2018. In 2020, he was ranked in 20th place on The Irish Times's list of Ireland's greatest film actors. Branagh has directed and starred in several film adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays, including Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Othello (1995), Hamlet (1996), and As You Like It (2006). He was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor and Best Director for Henry V and Best Adapted Screenplay for Hamlet. He directed Swan Song (1992), which earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. He also directed Peter's Friends (1992), Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), Thor (2011), and Cinderella (2015). For his semi-autobiographical film Belfast (2021), he was nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Director and won Best Original Screenplay. Branagh directed and starred as Hercule Poirot in the Hercule Poirot film series (2017–present). He has also acted in Celebrity (1998), Wild Wild West (1999), The Road to El Dorado (2000), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), and Valkyrie (2008). His portrayal of Laurence Olivier in My Week with Marilyn (2011) earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He played supporting roles in Christopher Nolan's films Dunkirk (2017), Tenet (2020), and Oppenheimer (2023). Branagh has starred in the BBC1 series Fortunes of War (1987), the Channel 4 series Shackleton (2002), the television film Warm Springs (2005), and the BBC One series Wallander (2008–2016). He received a Primetime Emmy Award and an International Emmy Award for Best Actor for portraying SS leader Reinhard Heydrich in the HBO film Conspiracy (2001).

Movies (107)

Avengers: Infinity War
8.2

Avengers: Infinity War

2018Movie8.2
The Devil Wears Prada 2
7.0

The Devil Wears Prada 2

2026Movie7.0
Oppenheimer
8.0

Oppenheimer

2023Movie8.0
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
7.7

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

2002Movie7.7
Tenet
7.2

Tenet

2020Movie7.2
Dunkirk
7.5

Dunkirk

2017Movie7.5
Murder on the Orient Express
6.7

Murder on the Orient Express

2017Movie6.7
Death on the Nile
6.4

Death on the Nile

2022Movie6.4
A Haunting in Venice
6.6

A Haunting in Venice

2023Movie6.6
Mayday
7.2

Mayday

2026Movie7.2
Valkyrie
7.0

Valkyrie

2008Movie7.0
The Road to El Dorado
7.3

The Road to El Dorado

2000Movie7.3
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
6.1

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

2014Movie6.1
Wild Wild West
5.3

Wild Wild West

1999Movie5.3
Chariots of Fire
6.8

Chariots of Fire

1981Movie6.8
Much Ado About Nothing
7.0

Much Ado About Nothing

1993Movie7.0
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
6.4

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

1994Movie6.4
Fireheart
7.2

Fireheart

2022Movie7.2
The King of Kings
8.3

The King of Kings

2025Movie8.3
My Week with Marilyn
6.7

My Week with Marilyn

2011Movie6.7
Dead Again
6.4

Dead Again

1991Movie6.4
The Boat That Rocked
7.2

The Boat That Rocked

2009Movie7.2
The Thomas Crown Affair

The Thomas Crown Affair

2027Movie
Conspiracy
7.3

Conspiracy

2001Movie7.3
Symphony for the Spire
8.5

Symphony for the Spire

1992Movie8.5
Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe
6.9

Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe

2014Movie6.9
Henry V
7.1

Henry V

1989Movie7.1
Swing Kids
6.7

Swing Kids

1993Movie6.7
Rabbit-Proof Fence
7.0

Rabbit-Proof Fence

2002Movie7.0
All Is True
6.0

All Is True

2018Movie6.0
Sleuth
6.3

Sleuth

2007Movie6.3
The Gingerbread Man
5.6

The Gingerbread Man

1998Movie5.6
Celebrity
6.0

Celebrity

1998Movie6.0
Lost Lives
6.0

Lost Lives

2019Movie6.0
Hamlet
7.3

Hamlet

1996Movie7.3
Mindhorn
6.1

Mindhorn

2016Movie6.1
Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean

Maverick: The Epic Adventures of David Lean

2026Movie
Atonement

Atonement

2026Movie
Looking for Richard
6.8

Looking for Richard

1996Movie6.8
As You Like It
5.8

As You Like It

2006Movie5.8
Discovering Hamlet
7.5

Discovering Hamlet

2011Movie7.5
Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope
6.9

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan's Hope

2011Movie6.9
Ghosts
7.0

Ghosts

1987Movie7.0
Universal Horror
7.1

Universal Horror

1998Movie7.1
Lorna
9.0

Lorna

1987Movie9.0
With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story
6.8

With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story

2010Movie6.8
Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces
6.8

Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces

2000Movie6.8
Branagh Theatre Live: The Entertainer
3.5

Branagh Theatre Live: The Entertainer

2016Movie3.5
Warm Springs
6.6

Warm Springs

2005Movie6.6
How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog
5.9

How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog

2002Movie5.9
The Proposition
5.9

The Proposition

1998Movie5.9
Love's Labour's Lost
5.6

Love's Labour's Lost

2000Movie5.6
Peter's Friends
6.6

Peter's Friends

1992Movie6.6
Goblin

Goblin

Movie
Five Children and It
5.6

Five Children and It

2004Movie5.6
The Periwig-Maker
7.6

The Periwig-Maker

1999Movie7.6
Anne Frank Remembered
7.6

Anne Frank Remembered

1995Movie7.6
The Tramp and the Dictator
7.0

The Tramp and the Dictator

2002Movie7.0
Thor: From Asgard to Earth
6.9

Thor: From Asgard to Earth

2011Movie6.9
The Lady's Not For Burning
10.0

The Lady's Not For Burning

1987Movie10.0
A Night at the Movies: The Suspenseful World of Thrillers
6.7

A Night at the Movies: The Suspenseful World of Thrillers

2009Movie6.7
Othello
6.4

Othello

1995Movie6.4
Thames Wallah

Thames Wallah

1988Movie
High Season
5.1

High Season

1987Movie5.1
Altman on His Own Terms
9.0

Altman on His Own Terms

2000Movie9.0
Denzel Washington: A Model American
7.0

Denzel Washington: A Model American

2022Movie7.0
Stars in Shorts
6.0

Stars in Shorts

2012Movie6.0
The Goebbels Experiment
6.4

The Goebbels Experiment

2005Movie6.4
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
7.5

1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year

2009Movie7.5
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
7.6

The Magic Touch of Harry Potter

2004Movie7.6
Peter O'Toole: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba
7.3

Peter O'Toole: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba

2022Movie7.3
Easter 2016
9.0

Easter 2016

1982Movie9.0
To the Lighthouse
5.2

To the Lighthouse

1983Movie5.2
It's a Whole New West: The Making of 'Wild, Wild West'
5.0

It's a Whole New West: The Making of 'Wild, Wild West'

1999Movie5.0
A Month in the Country
6.5

A Month in the Country

1987Movie6.5
Alien Love Triangle
6.7

Alien Love Triangle

2008Movie6.7
The Theory of Flight
6.3

The Theory of Flight

1999Movie6.3
London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder
7.7

London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder

2012Movie7.7
National Theatre Live: Macbeth
7.0

National Theatre Live: Macbeth

2013Movie7.0
A Matter of Choice for Billy
6.0

A Matter of Choice for Billy

1983Movie6.0
Looking at the World in a New Way: The Making of ‘Tenet’
6.3

Looking at the World in a New Way: The Making of ‘Tenet’

2020Movie6.3
Tea with Judi Dench featuring Kenneth Branagh

Tea with Judi Dench featuring Kenneth Branagh

2025Movie
IMAX: Galapagos 3D
6.6

IMAX: Galapagos 3D

1999Movie6.6
Walking with Monsters
7.3

Walking with Monsters

2005Movie7.3
Wild Wild West: Evil Devices
5.3

Wild Wild West: Evil Devices

1999Movie5.3
The Book That Wrote Itself
7.0

The Book That Wrote Itself

2000Movie7.0
Coming Through
4.7

Coming Through

1985Movie4.7
Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic
6.3

Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic

2004Movie6.3
Prodigal
5.6

Prodigal

2011Movie5.6
A Night at the Movies: The Gigantic World of Epics
8.0

A Night at the Movies: The Gigantic World of Epics

2009Movie8.0
Discovering Hamlet
5.9

Discovering Hamlet

1990Movie5.9
Branagh Theatre Live: The Winter's Tale
7.7

Branagh Theatre Live: The Winter's Tale

2015Movie7.7
The Dance of Shiva
9.0

The Dance of Shiva

1998Movie9.0
Look Back in Anger
9.3

Look Back in Anger

1989Movie9.3
The Beasts Within
9.0

The Beasts Within

2001Movie9.0
Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence
8.0

Following the Rabbit-Proof Fence

2003Movie8.0
The Making of Walking with Dinosaurs
7.1

The Making of Walking with Dinosaurs

2000Movie7.1
James Ellis: An Actor's Life

James Ellis: An Actor's Life

2007Movie
Triumph of the Beasts
10.0

Triumph of the Beasts

2001Movie10.0
Wild Wild West: Loveless's Ladies
6.0

Wild Wild West: Loveless's Ladies

1999Movie6.0
It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein
7.7

It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein

1994Movie7.7
Stephen Fry: 50 Not Out
8.0

Stephen Fry: 50 Not Out

2007Movie8.0
Too Late to Talk to Billy
7.0

Too Late to Talk to Billy

1982Movie7.0
Schneider's 2nd Stage
10.0

Schneider's 2nd Stage

2001Movie10.0
A Coming to Terms for Billy
7.0

A Coming to Terms for Billy

1984Movie7.0
Allosaurus A Walking With Dinosaurs Special

Allosaurus A Walking With Dinosaurs Special

Movie
Shadow of a Gunman
7.0

Shadow of a Gunman

1995Movie7.0

TV Shows (44)

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
6.1

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015Series6.1
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962Series7.5
The Kelly Clarkson Show
6.3

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019Series6.3
Late Night with Seth Meyers
5.1

Late Night with Seth Meyers

2014Series5.1
Real Time with Bill Maher
6.1

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003Series6.1
The Graham Norton Show
7.2

The Graham Norton Show

2007Series7.2
Play for Today
6.6

Play for Today

1970Series6.6
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
6.8

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

2005Series6.8
The View
4.3

The View

1997Series4.3
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
7.3

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

1993Series7.3
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
El hormiguero
4.7

El hormiguero

2006Series4.7
American Playhouse
6.6

American Playhouse

1982Series6.6
Leute heute
5.2

Leute heute

1997Series5.2
American Experience
6.5

American Experience

1988Series6.5
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
5.6

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

2003Series5.6
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956Series
Wogan
5.3

Wogan

1982Series5.3
Film '72
5.1

Film '72

1971Series5.1
Omnibus
7.2

Omnibus

1967Series7.2
BLUE EYE SAMURAI
8.5

BLUE EYE SAMURAI

2023Series8.5
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
Performance
6.3

Performance

1991Series6.3
TFI Friday
7.1

TFI Friday

1996Series7.1
Parkinson

Parkinson

1998Series
Remembers…
7.0

Remembers…

2022Series7.0
Wallander
7.4

Wallander

2008Series7.4
The American Revolution
5.9

The American Revolution

2025Series5.9
Fortunes of War
6.3

Fortunes of War

1987Series6.3
Walking with Dinosaurs
8.2

Walking with Dinosaurs

1999Series8.2
This England
6.0

This England

2022Series6.0
Shackleton
7.2

Shackleton

2002Series7.2
Walking with Beasts
7.8

Walking with Beasts

2001Series7.8
Cold War
7.1

Cold War

1998Series7.1
Theatre Night

Theatre Night

1985Series
Big Al
7.9

Big Al

2000Series7.9
10 Days to War
6.4

10 Days to War

2008Series6.4
Strange Interlude
7.0

Strange Interlude

1988Series7.0
The Boy in the Bush
10.0

The Boy in the Bush

1984Series10.0
Thompson
5.0

Thompson

1988Series5.0
Walking with Monsters
8.4

Walking with Monsters

2005Series8.4
Laird

Laird

Series
World War I in Colour
6.6

World War I in Colour

2003Series6.6
Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood
7.9

Cinema Europe: The Other Hollywood

1995Series7.9