Jack Goldstein - 101 Amazing Benedict Cumberbatch Facts

Title Page

101 AMAZING BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH FACTS

Jack Goldstein

Publisher Information

Published in 2013 by

Andrews UK Limited

www.andrewsuk.com

The right of Jack Goldstein to be identified as the Author of this Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998

Copyright 2013 Jack Goldstein

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Any person who does so may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Disclaimer: All facts presented in this title were gained from common and reputable sources in print and on the internet. If any detail within this title is found to be incorrect, the author will be happy to publish a corrected version.

Introduction

Are you a fan of leading British actor Benedict Cumberbatch? Whether it is as Sherlock, a Star Trek villain or any of his multitude of TV and film roles, Ben has endeared himself to fans across the world with his quirky style and amazing acting abilities. In this easy-to-digest eBook are 101 facts about him, easily organised into categories such as his upbringing, awards he has won, music he enjoys and much more. If youre fan of everything Cumberbatch, then this is the book for you!

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Biographical

1. Benedict was born on the 19 th of July, 1976
2. This makes his star sign Cancer.
3. His full name is Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch.
4. Benedict was born London, the capital city of England.
5. He is just over six feet tall.
6. His mothers name is Wanda Ventham.
7. His fathers name is Timothy Carlton (although he was born Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch).
8. Benedicts great grandfather was the British Consul General in Turkey.
9. He first studied at Brambletye School in West Sussex, then won a scholarship to attend Harrow School.
10. At school, Ben was a decent rugby player as well as an accomplished painter.

Top 10 Film Roles

According to a panel of judges, these are the best ten film performances of Bens career so far.

1. Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
3. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
4. The Fifth Estate (2013)
5. Hawking (2004)
6. War Horse (2011)
7. Four Lions (2010)
8. Atonement (2007)
9. The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
10. Amazing Grace (2006)

Acting - Part 1

1. Although he had the opportunity to attend elite universities Oxford or Cambridge, after finishing school, Ben chose to study Drama at Manchester University.
2. Here, Ben honed his acting abilities and was recognised as one of the most outstanding students.
3. In 2001, Benedict began his stage career with the role of Ferdinand in Loves Labours Lost for the Open Air Theatre in Londons Regents Park.
4. His talent was clear for everyone to see, and over the next few years he won roles in four more Open Air Theatre productions as well as a few minor TV and film roles.
5. Cumberbatchs first major role to a wide audience was his made-for-TV film Hawking in 2004, in which he played the lead role - eminent scientist Professor Stephen Hawking.
6. He won awards for this portrayal, and garnered even more critical acclaim for his performance as Tesman in the 2005 production of Hedda Gabler at the Almeida Theatre.
7. Amazing Grace, a film released in 2006 was the next major success of Bens career. He was highly lauded by the London Film Critics Circle, and this won him parts in other films.
8. Audiences across the world began to take note of Cumberbatch when he held supporting roles in the films Atonement in 2007 and The Other Boleyn Girl in 2008.
9. As a British lover of sci-fi, Ben mentioned in 2010 that he would be interested in taking up a role in the long-running BBC series Doctor Who.
10. Although such a role didnt materialise, Steven Moffat (a man heavily involved in the Doctor Who Franchise) hand-picked Ben for the lead role in his upcoming detective series Sherlock .

Top 10 TV Performances

According to a panel of judges, these are the best ten TV performances of Bens career so far.

1. Sherlock (2010)
2. The Simpsons (2013)
3. Spooks (2003)
4. Tipping the Velvet (2002)
5. Cambridge Spies (2003)
6. Parades End (2013)
7. Small Island (2009)
8. Nathan Barley (2005)
9. Dunkirk (2004)
10. Silent Witness (2002)

Acting - Part 2

1. Sherlock became a worldwide success, loved by audiences from Britain to America to Australia and everywhere in-between.
2. The key to the shows success was its modern-day interpretation of the classic detective - and of course the incredible acting talent of its leading man.
3. Spy thriller Tinker Tailor Solider Spy s film adaptation came next, with Ben taking up a key role as Peter Guillam, the assistant to lead role George Smiley, played by fellow British legend Gary Oldman.
4. Even top director Steven Spielberg was aware of Bens acting ability. He chose him to play the character of Major Stewart in the epic film interpretation of the tear-jerking War Horse in 2011.
5. Through his career, Benedict has voiced a number of audiobooks and featured in the cast of a number of radio plays, including those as diverse as Shakespeare, Blakes 7 and Rumpole of the Bailey.
6. It was this catalogue of successful voice work, along with his already well-established reputation that won Cumberbatch the role of Smaug the Dragon in Peter Jacksons Hobbit trilogy.
7. Ever the hard-working actor, Ben hasnt kicked back and just enjoyed the Hollywood lifestyle - he reprised his role as the main protagonist in a second series of the BBCs Sherlock , with a third set for broadcast in late 2013.
8. Bens ultimate film role to date came in 2013 with his portrayal as the main villain in J.J. Abrams second Star Trek film.
9. The next major role after Star Trek is in a very different direction - Bens portrayal of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in the biopic The Fifth Estate.
10. Whatever acting roles the future holds for Ben, it is certain he will continue winning praise, awards and of course more fans!

Awards

Here is a selection of the many prestigious awards Benedict has won so far in his career.

1. 2004: Golden Nymph for Television Films - Best Performance by an Actor ( Hawking )
2. 2005: Golden Nymph for Mini-Series - Best Performance by an Actor ( To The Ends of the Earth )
3. 2005: Ian Charleson Awards - Best Classical Stage Performance ( Hedda Gabler )
4. 2010: Crime Thriller Awards - Best Actor ( Sherlock )
5. 2011: Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards - Best Cast ( Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy )
6. 2011: GQ U.K. Magazine Awards - Actor of the Year
7. 2012 : TV Choice Awards - Best Actor ( Sherlock )
8. 2012: Olivier Awards - Best Actor ( Frankenstein )
9. 2012: Critics Choice Television Awards - Best Movie/Miniseries Actor ( Sherlock )
10. 2013: Broadcasting Press Guild Awards - Best Actor ( Sherlock/Parades End )

General - Part 1

1. Bens mother has also featured in many TV programs, including Men Behaving Badly and Only Fools and Horses.
2. Ben now lives in Shepherds Bush in West London.
3. He says that one of his career highlights was being read an unpublished poem by Harold Pinter.
4. For his university dissertation, Ben wrote about how Stanley Kubrick was the worlds greatest director.