Ben Kingsley is a British actor, who is most notable for the portrayal of Mohandas Gandhi in the 1982 film entitled, Gandhi. He was born on December 31, 1943 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England to Anna Lyna Mary and Rahimtulla Harji Bhanji, an actress and a medical doctor. He was baptized with the real name of Krishna Pandit Bhanji and grew up in Pendlebury, close to Salford. He attended the Manchester Grammar School, where Robert Powell, an actor, became one of his classmates. He then entered the University of Salford as well as the Pendleton College.
On the other hand, Kingsley started his acting career on stage and even though he was focused when it comes to acting, he still pursued his acting career on stage, portraying the role of Mosca in the 1977 Peter Hall’s production of Ben Jonson entitled, Volpone for the Royal Theatre as in the production of Peter Brook called, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Moreover, Kingsley made his first film appearance in year 1972, when he portrayed a supporting role. he then appeared in both films and TV, which also includes the role of Ron Jenkins on the soap opera entitled, Coronation Street in year 1966 up to the year of 1967.
In year 1975, Kingsley portrayed the role of Dante Gabriel Rossetti in the historical drama of the BBC entitled, The Love School. He then earned much prominence when he portrayed the role of Mohandas Gandhi in the film called, Gandhi in year 1982. The film earned him an Academy Award for the category for the Best Actor. He then portrayed several roles, like in the films of Turtle Diary and Maurice as well as in Pascali’s Island, Without a Clue and Suspect, where he portrayed the role of Dr. Watson. Kingsley also appeared in the 1994 drama film of Death and the Maiden, which also starred Stuart Wilson and Sigourney Weaver. He then portrayed the role of Don Logan in the 2000 British-Spanish film entitled, Sexy Beast, which also earned him another Academy Award nomination for the Best Actor. He also received an award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in year 2001.
In year 2006, Kingsley earned a nomination from Emmy, for his portrayal in the TV film called, Mrs. Harris. On the same year, he made an appearance in one of the episodes of the TV drama series of The Sopranos entitled, Luxury Lounge, where he portrays as himself. On the following year he appeared in the Mafia Comedy of You Kill Me, where he portrayed the role of a Polish American mobster. On the other hand, in year 2010, Kingsley voiced for the role of Sabine in a Lionhead Studios’ game called, Fable III. He then starred together with Leonardo DiCarpio in the film entitled, Shutter Island. Kingsley is set to appear in the upcoming film of Hugo, which is set to release in November 23, 2011.
