Bill Nighy

Born:December 12, 1949

Place of Birth:Caterham, Surrey, England, UK

Known For:Acting

Biography

William Francis Nighy, born on December 12, 1949, is a distinguished English actor whose talent has graced both the screen and the stage. Throughout his illustrious career, Nighy has garnered a multitude of accolades, including two BAFTA Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and nominations for both an Academy Award and a Tony Award.

Nighy's journey in the world of acting began at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, where he honed his craft before making his mark on the London stage with the Royal National Theatre. His performances in renowned productions such as David Hare's "Pravda," Harold Pinter's "Betrayal," and Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia" solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented actor. Notably, his portrayal of various characters in Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" in 1994 further showcased his exceptional acting prowess.

Transitioning to the silver screen, Nighy captivated audiences with his early film roles in comedies like "Still Crazy" and "Blow Dry." However, it was his breakout role in the beloved romantic comedy "Love Actually" in 2003 that truly catapulted him to international fame, earning him a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. Subsequently, his portrayals of Davy Jones in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise and Viktor in the "Underworld" series solidified his status as a versatile actor capable of embodying a diverse range of characters.

In addition to his success in film, Nighy has also left an indelible mark on television, receiving critical acclaim for his performances in various productions. His portrayal in the BBC One series "State of Play" earned him a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor, while his role in the BBC film "Gideon's Daughter" garnered him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. Furthermore, his appearances in notable television projects such as HBO's "The Girl in the Café" and PBS's "Page Eight" have showcased his ability to captivate audiences across different mediums.

With a career spanning decades, Nighy's contributions to the entertainment industry continue to be lauded by audiences and critics alike. His remarkable talent, coupled with his ability to seamlessly transition between stage, screen, and television, has cemented his status as a revered figure in the world of acting. Whether portraying complex characters in dramatic productions or bringing humor to comedic roles, Nighy's versatility and dedication to his craft shine through in each performance.

Beyond his professional achievements, Nighy's personal charisma and unique charm have endeared him to fans worldwide, making him a beloved figure both on and off the screen. As he continues to captivate audiences with his magnetic presence and exceptional acting abilities, William Francis Nighy remains a true icon in the realm of entertainment, leaving an indelible legacy that will endure for generations to come.

Images

Filmography

Acting

The Wild Robot

Longneck (voice)

2024

After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island's animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1

Rufus Scrimgeour

2010

Harry, Ron and Hermione walk away from their last year at Hogwarts to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes, putting an end to Voldemort's bid for immortality. But with Harry's beloved Dumbledore dead and Voldemort's unscrupulous Death Eaters on the loose, the world is more dangerous than ever.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Davy Jones

2006

Captain Jack Sparrow races to recover the heart of Davy Jones to avoid enslaving his soul to Jones' service, as other friends and foes seek the heart for their own agenda as well.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Davy Jones

2007

Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann join forces with the revived Captain Barbossa to free Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones' locker. The group must navigate dangerous waters, confront many foes and, ultimately, choose sides in a battle wherein piracy itself hangs in the balance.

About Time

Dad

2013

The night after another unsatisfactory New Year's party, Tim's father tells his son that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. They can't change history, but they can change what happens and has happened in their own lives. Thus begins the start of a lesson in learning to appreciate life itself as it is, as it comes, and most importantly, the people living alongside us.

Rango

Rattlesnake Jake (voice)

2011

When Rango, a lost family pet, accidentally winds up in the gritty, gun-slinging town of Dirt, the less-than-courageous lizard suddenly finds he stands out. Welcomed as the last hope the town has been waiting for, new Sheriff Rango is forced to play his new role to the hilt.

The First Omen

Cardinal Lawrence

2024

When a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church, she encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate.

That Christmas

Lighthouse Bill (voice)

2024

It's an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone's plans — including Santa's.

Jack the Giant Slayer

General Fallon

2013

The story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend–and gets the chance to become a legend himself.

Underworld

Viktor

2003

Vampires and werewolves have waged a nocturnal war against each other for centuries. But all bets are off when a female vampire warrior named Selene, who's famous for her strength and werewolf-hunting prowess, becomes smitten with a peace-loving male werewolf, Michael, who wants to end the war.

10 Lives

Professor Craven (voice)

2024

A pampered cat takes for granted the lucky hand he has been dealt after he is rescued and loved by Rose, a kind-hearted and passionate student. When he loses his ninth life, fate steps in to set him on a transformative journey.

Hot Fuzz

Met Chief Inspector

2007

Former London constable Nicholas Angel finds it difficult to adapt to his new assignment in the sleepy British village of Sandford. Not only does he miss the excitement of the big city, but he also has a well-meaning oaf for a partner. However, when a series of grisly accidents rocks Sandford, Angel smells something rotten in the idyllic village.

Valkyrie

Friedrich Olbricht

2008

Wounded in Africa during World War II, Nazi Col. Claus von Stauffenberg returns to his native Germany and joins the Resistance in a daring plan to create a shadow government and assassinate Adolf Hitler. When events unfold so that he becomes a central player, he finds himself tasked with both leading the coup and personally killing the Führer.

Pokémon Detective Pikachu

Howard Clifford

2019

In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent monster who seeks to be a detective.

Wrath of the Titans

Hephaestus

2012

Perseus tries to live a quieter life as a village fisherman while – dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion – the gods are losing control of the long-imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos.

Love Actually

Billy Mack

2003

Eight very different couples deal with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.

Flushed Away

Whitey (voice)

2006

London high-society mouse, Roddy is flushed down the toilet by Sid, a common sewer rat. Hang on for a madcap adventure deep in the sewer bowels of Ratropolis, where Roddy meets the resourceful Rita, the rodent-hating Toad and his faithful thugs, Spike and Whitey.

Shaun of the Dead

Phillip

2004

Shaun lives a supremely uneventful life, which revolves around his girlfriend, his mother, and, above all, his local pub. This gentle routine is threatened when the dead return to life and make strenuous attempts to snack on ordinary Londoners.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

Viktor

2009

A prequel to the first two Underworld films, this fantasy explains the origins of the feud between the Vampires and the Lycans. Aided by his secret love, Sonja, courageous Lucian leads the Lycans in battle against brutal Vampire king Viktor. Determined to break the king's enslavement of his people, Lucian faces off against the Death Dealer army in a bid for Lycan independence.

Emma.

Mr. Woodhouse

2020

In 1800s England, a well-meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.

Total Recall

Matthias

2012

Factory worker Doug Quaid takes a virtual mind-trip vacation with the Rekall company, opting for implanted memories of being a spy. When the procedure goes wrong, Quaid becomes a wanted man by the police and joins forces with a rebel fighter to stop the evil Chancellor Cohaagen.

Gracie & Pedro: Pets to the Rescue

Conrad (voice)

2024

Family frenemies, Gracie and Pedro, must put their differences aside, embarking on a thrilling quest packed with perilous escapades in order to reunite with their owners.

Underworld: Evolution

Viktor

2006

As the war between the vampires and the Lycans rages on, Selene, a former member of the Death Dealers (an elite vampire special forces unit that hunts werewolves), and Michael, the werewolf hybrid, work together in an effort to unlock the secrets of their respective bloodlines.

Role Play

Bob

2023

Emma has a wonderful husband and two kids in the suburbs of New Jersey – she also has a secret life as an assassin for hire – a secret that her husband David discovers when the couple decide to spice up their marriage with a little role play.

G-Force

Leonard Saber

2009

A team of trained secret agent animals, guinea pigs Darwin, Hurley, Juarez, Blaster, mole Speckles, and fly Mooch takes on a mission for the US government to stop evil Leonard Saber, who plans to destroy the world with household appliances. But the government shuts them down and they are sentenced to a pet shop. Can they escape to defeat the villain and save the world?

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Slartibartfast

2005

Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

Astro Boy

Dr. Elefun / Robotsky (voice)

2009

Set in the futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy (Atom) is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he had lost. Unable to fulfill his creator's expectations, Astro embarks on a journey in search of acceptance, experiencing betrayal and a netherworld of robot gladiators, before returning to save Metro City and reconcile with the father who rejected him.

The World's End

The Network (voice)

2013

Five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier unwittingly become humankind's only hope for survival.

Pride

Cliff

2014

In 1984, a group of LGBT activists decide to raise money to support the National Union of Mineworkers during their lengthy strike. There is only one problem: the Union seems embarrassed to receive their support.

Stormbreaker

Alan Blunt

2006

Alex Rider thinks he is a normal school boy, until his uncle is killed. He discovers that his uncle was actually spy on a mission, when he was killed. Alex is recruited by Alan Blunt to continue the mission. He is sent to Cornwall to investigate a new computer system, which Darrius Sayle has created. He plans to give the new computer systems to every school in the country, but Mr. Blunt has other ideas and Alex must find out what it is.

Joy

Patrick Steptoe

2024

A young nurse, a visionary scientist and an innovative surgeon face opposition from the church, state, media and medical establishment, in their pursuit of the world’s first ‘test tube baby’, Louise Joy Brown.

Arthur Christmas

Grandsanta (voice)

2011

For hundreds of years, the Claus family has delegated the title "Santa" to a chosen few of its members, which can be passed down upon retirement. Each Christmas, Santa and his vast army of highly trained elves produce gifts and distribute them around the world in a one-night high-tech operation. However, when one of 600 million children to receive a gift from Santa on Christmas Eve is missed, it is deemed ‘acceptable’ to all but one—Arthur Claus, the current Santa’s misfit son deemed ineligible for the title, who executes an unauthorised rookie mission to get the last present halfway around the globe before dawn on Christmas morning.

The Constant Gardener

Sir Bernard Pellegrin

2005

Justin Quayle is a low-level British diplomat who has always gone about his work very quietly, not causing any problems. But after his radical wife Tessa is killed he becomes determined to find out why, thrusting himself into the middle of a very dangerous conspiracy.

Living

Williams

2022

London, 1953. Mr. Williams, a veteran civil servant, is an important cog within the city's bureaucracy as it struggles to rebuild in the aftermath of World War II. Buried under paperwork at the office and lonely at home, his life has long felt empty and meaningless. Then a devastating medical diagnosis forces him to take stock, and to try and grasp some fulfilment before it passes permanently beyond reach.

Notes on a Scandal

Richard Hart

2006

A veteran high school teacher befriends a younger art teacher, who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. However, her intentions with this new "friend" also go well beyond platonic friendship.

The Boat That Rocked

Quentin

2009

An ensemble comedy, where the romance is between the young people of the 60s, and pop music. It's about a band of DJs that captivate Britain, playing the music that defines a generation and standing up to a government that wanted control of popular culture via the British Broadcasting Corporation. Loosely based on the events in Britain in the 60's when the Labour government of Harold Wilson, wanted to bring the pirate radio stations under control, enough to see the passage of the Marine Broadcasting Offences Act on 15 August 1967. Also known as "Pirate Radio".

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Douglas Ainslie

2012

British retirees travel to India to take up residence in what they believe is a newly restored hotel. Less luxurious than its advertisements, the Marigold Hotel nevertheless slowly begins to charm in unexpected ways as the residents find new purpose in their old age.

Hope Gap

Edward

2019

Grace lives an idyllic life in a British seaside town, but her world soon comes crashing down when her husband of 29 years tells her he's leaving her for another woman. Through stages of shock, disbelief and anger -- and with support from her son -- Grace ultimately regains her footing while learning it's never too late to be happy.

Page Eight

Johnny Worricker

2011

Johnny is a long-serving MI5 officer. His boss dies suddenly, leaving behind an inexplicable file which threatens the stability of the organisation.

Wild Target

Victor Maynard

2010

Victor Maynard is a middle-aged, solitary assassin who lives to please his formidable mother, despite his own peerless reputation for lethal efficiency. His professional routine is interrupted when he finds himself drawn to one of his intended victims. After sparing her life, he unexpectedly acquires a young apprentice. Believing Victor to be a private detective, his two new companions tag along, while he attempts to thwart the murderous attentions of his unhappy client.

Their Finest

Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank

2017

During the Blitz of World War II, a female screenwriter works on a film celebrating England's resilience as a way to buoy a weary populace's spirits. Her efforts to dramatise the true story of two sisters who undertook their own maritime mission to rescue wounded soldiers are met with mixed feelings by a dismissive all-male staff.

Eye of the Needle

Squadron Leader Blenkinsop

1981

Great Britain, 1944, during World War II. Relentlessly pursued by several MI5 agents, Henry Faber the Needle, a ruthless German spy in possession of vital information about D-Day, takes refuge on Storm Island, an inhospitable, sparsely inhabited island off the coast of northern Scotland.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Douglas Ainslie

2015

As the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has only a single remaining vacancy - posing a rooming predicament for two fresh arrivals - Sonny pursues his expansionist dream of opening a second hotel.

The Bookshop

Mr. Brundish

2017

Set in a small English town in 1959, a woman decides, against polite but ruthless local opposition, to open a bookshop, a decision which becomes a political minefield.

The Limehouse Golem

John Kildare

2016

A series of murders has shaken the community to the point where people believe that only a legendary creature from dark times – the mythical Golem – must be responsible.

Curse of the Pink Panther

ENT Doctor

1983

Inspector Clouseau disappears, and the Surete wants the world's second best detective to look for him. However, Clouseau's enemy, Dreyfus, rigs the Surete's computer to select, instead, the world's WORST detective, NYPD Sgt. Clifton Sleigh. Sleigh obtusely bungles his way past assassins and corrupt officials as though he were Clouseau's American cousin.

FairyTale: A True Story

Edward Gardner

1997

In 1917, two children take a photograph, which is soon believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies. Based on the true story of the Cottingley Fairies.

Production

Page Eight

Executive Producer

2011

Johnny is a long-serving MI5 officer. His boss dies suddenly, leaving behind an inexplicable file which threatens the stability of the organisation.