Jim Broadbent

format_quote I love French films, and European films. They're not any bigger, but there's just a sort of definition, and a confidence, and strength to them. I'd always, given the option, go and see a French drama. Obviously, we probably get the better ones. But they're just sophisticated on many levels, and grown up, and quite profound - and we don't make films like that.

stars  He won an Oscar for playing John Bayley in Iris (2001/I), making him one of eleven actors to win the Award for playing a real person who was still alive at the evening of the Award ceremony (as of 2007). The other ten actors and their respective performances are: Spencer Tracy for playing Father Edward Flanagan in Boys Town (1938), Gary Cooper for playing Alvin C. York in Sergeant York (1941), Patty Duke for playing Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (1962), Jason Robards for playing Benjamin Bradlee in All the President's Men (1976), Robert De Niro for playing Jake La Motta in Raging Bull (1980), Sissy Spacek for playing Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner's Daughter (1980), Susan Sarandon for playing Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking (1995), Geoffrey Rush for playing David Helfgott in Shine (1996), Julia Roberts for playing Erin Brockovich in Erin Brockovich (2000) and most recently Helen Mirren for playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen (2006).

stars  Considered for the role of Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray (2007).

stars  Graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in 1972.

stars  Plays former President Richard Nixon in Dirty Tricks (2000) (TV). Nixon was previously played by Anthony Hopkins in Nixon (1995). Hopkins also appeared in Shadowlands (1993) as C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), in which Broadbent appeared.

stars  At The Orange British Academy Film Awards on Monday January 28th 2002, he was nominated for the best Performance by an Actor in a leading role Award for his role in the film Iris.