Joseph Fiennes

In 2009, Joseph Fiennes married Swiss model María Dolores Diéguez. The couple has two daughters.

Joseph Alberic Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes was born on 27th May 1970, in Salisbury, England, UK, to Mark Fiennes, an English photographer, illustrator, and also a farmer, and Jennifer Lash, who was a writer.

He has five siblings, all of who grew up to be quite successful in their chosen professions. They are Ralph Fiennes, Martha Fiennes, Magnus Fiennes, Sophie Fiennes and Jacob Fiennes. He also has a foster brother Michael Emery, who works as an archaeologist.

He attended several schools such as the Leehurst Swan School and Bishop Wordsworth’s School. He also attended the art school in Suffolk for a year, before joining the Young Vic Youth Theatre. He trained for three years at the London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama as well, from where he graduated in 1993.

Joseph Fiennes’ first appearance in a professional role on stage was in the play ‘The Woman in Black’. He next appeared in the play ‘A Month in the Country’.

He made his film debut in the 1996 drama film ‘Stealing Beauty’ where he was cast in an important role. The film dealt with the life of a teenage girl who recently lost her mother. It received mixed reviews from critics.

He earned acclaim for his role in the 1998 film ‘Elizabeth’, which was based on the early years of Queen Elizabeth’s rule. The film was a huge success, and won several awards including an Oscar.

The same year, Fiennes also appeared in the romantic comedy-drama ‘Shakespeare in Love’, in a main role. The film was a monumental success, and can be regarded as the most significant work of his career till date. It was nominated for thirteen Oscars, out of which it won seven.

Along with earning him popularity, his role in ‘Shakespeare in Love’ also helped him gain important roles in several films over the ensuing years. In 2001, he played the lead role in the war film ‘Enemy at the Gates’. The film was a commercial success. The next year, he appeared in the film ‘Killing Me Softly’, where he played a main role.

Joseph Fiennes played an important role in the 1998 film ‘Elizabeth’, which gained him a lot of popularity and appreciation. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, the film revolved around the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It was a commercial success and received two Oscar nominations out of which it won one. Along with Fiennes, the film starred Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Richard Attenborough, and Christopher Eccleston.

Fiennes portrayed the famous English playwright William Shakespeare in the 1998 romantic comedy drama ‘Shakespeare in Love’. Directed by John Madden, the film starred actors Gwenyth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, Colin Firth and Ben Affleck alongside Fiennes. The story revolved around an imaginary love story between Shakespeare and Viola de Lesseps. Not only was the film a huge commercial success, but it also won seven Oscars. It mostly received positive reviews from critics.

He is also known for his role in the 2004 romantic drama film ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Directed by Michael Radford, the film is based on a famous play by William Shakespeare of the same name. The film mostly received positive reviews. However, it was a commercial failure.