IMDb Polls

Poll: Best Shakespearean-Trained British Movie & TV Actor

SetEvery year on April 23rd, Shakespeare Day is celebrated worldwide on the date of his birth. In 2024, William Shakespeare's legacy remains undeniably enduring as we mark the 460th anniversary of his birth.

According to Wikipedia, "William Shakespeare (c. 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist .... His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted."

Today, his body of work is so well-regarded that performing it well is considered one of the best ways to learn the craft of acting. Worldwide, many actors-in-training choose to hone their skills at performing arts schools and theater companies which utilize works of Shakespeare as their primary course of study. Many extol the virtue of such an approach; which both fine-tunes their existing talents and elevates them by developing new skill sets. In celebration of this milestone anniversary, Shakespeare's continuing legacy and the impact that Shakepearean-trained talent has on the quality of modern entertainment:

Which of these select British movie or television actors who are Shakespearean-trained do you think is the best one?

Vote in the companion poll here: Shakespearean-Trained British Movie & TV Actresses

Discuss the topic here.

Make Your Choice

  1. Vote!
     

    John Gielgud

  2. Vote!
     

    Anthony Hopkins

  3. Vote!
     

    Eddie Redmayne

  4. Vote!
     

    Laurence Olivier

  5. Vote!
     

    Ian McKellen

  6. Vote!
     

    Kenneth Branagh

  7. Vote!
     

    Alec Guinness

  8. Vote!
     

    Peter O'Toole

  9. Vote!
     

    Ralph Fiennes

  10. Vote!
     

    Ralph Richardson

  11. Vote!
     

    Richard Burton

  12. Vote!
     

    Benedict Cumberbatch

  13. Vote!
     

    Richard Attenborough

  14. Vote!
     

    Patrick Stewart

  15. Vote!
     

    Albert Finney

  16. Vote!
     

    Mark Rylance

  17. Vote!
     

    Tom Hiddleston

  18. Vote!
     

    Basil Rathbone

  19. Vote!
     

    Ben Kingsley

  20. Vote!
     

    James McAvoy

  21. Vote!
     

    Charles Dance

  22. Vote!
     

    Robert Shaw

  23. Vote!
     

    Jeremy Irons

  24. Vote!
     

    Ewan McGregor

  25. Vote!
     

    Hugo Weaving

  26. Vote!
     

    Paul Bettany

  27. Vote!
     

    Derek Jacobi

  28. Vote!
     

    Brian Cox

  29. Vote!
     

    Andy Serkis

  30. Vote!
     

    Dan Stevens

  31. Vote!
     

    Matthew Macfadyen

  32. Vote!
     

    Bill Nighy

  33. Vote!
     

    Michael Sheen

  34. Vote!
     

    Timothy Spall

  35. Vote!
     

    Robert Donat

    Another British Shakespearean-trained Actor Not Listed

    Robert Donat (as pictured example)


Recently Viewed