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Anthony Sher

Sir Anthony Sher (born June 14, 1949) is an actor, and novelist. He has a South African background, being born into a Lithuanian-Jewish family in Cape Town; but has worked mainly in the United Kingdom.

In 1968, after completing his compulsory military service he left for London to unsuccessfully audition at The Central School (at the time was the best drama school in London). After training, and some early performances with the theatre group Censored page, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1982. His big breakthrough came in 1985 when he played the lead in Shakespeare's Richard III. This won him the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award. Since then he has played the lead in big productions including Tamburlaine, Cyrano de Bergerac, Stanley, and Macbeth - to name only a few.

Despite his success, a shy and insecure Sher turned to cocaine as a antidote and by 1996 spent 3 weeks in rehabitation.

In 1997 his portrayal of Disraeli in the film Mrs. Brown was well received, and he won his second Laurence Olivier Award for his role as Stanley Spencer.

He was knighted for services to the theatre in 2000.



Last updated: 02-09-2005 11:30:15
Last updated: 04-25-2005 03:06:01