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Brian Cox

Birth Place: Dundee

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Brian Cox BIO

Brian Denis Cox CBE (born 1 June 1946) is a Scottish actor. A classically trained Shakespearean actor, he is known for leading performances on stage and television, as well as supporting roles in film. His numerous accolades include two Laurence Olivier Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award as well as a nomination for a British Academy Television Award. In 2003, he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire at the rank of Commander. Empire magazine awarded him the Empire Icon Award in 2006, and the UK Film Council named him one of the top 10 powerful British film stars in Hollywood in 2007.

Cox trained at the Dundee Repertory Theatre before becoming a founding member of Royal Lyceum Theatre. He went on to train as a Shakespearean actor, starring in numerous productions with the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he gained recognition for his portrayal of King Lear. Cox received two Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Actor for his roles in Rat in the Skull (1984) for the Royal Court and Titus Andronicus (1988). He received two more Olivier Award nominations for Misalliance (1986) and Fashion (1988).

Known as a character actor in film, he played Robert McKee in Spike Jonze's Adaptation (2002) and William Stryker in X2 (2003). For his starring role in L.I.E. (2001), he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. His other notable films include Manhunter (1986), Rob Roy (1995), Braveheart (1995), Rushmore (1998), Super Troopers (2001), The Ring (2002), The Bourne Identity (2002), 25th Hour (2002), Troy (2004), The Bourne Supremacy (2004), Red Eye (2005), Zodiac (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), and Churchill (2017).

Cox won the Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for his portrayal of Hermann Göring in the television film Nuremberg (2001). The following year he guest starred on the NBC sitcom Frasier earning his second Emmy nomination in 2002. He portrayed Jack Langrishe in the HBO series Deadwood. He starred as Logan Roy on the HBO series Succession (2018–2023), for which he won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series.

Brian Cox Photos

Brian Cox STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2024
James Tyrone Sr.

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
LBJ

[West End]
West End Revival Production, 2014
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2011
Coach

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2007
Max

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1998
Marc [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Nelson

[Broadway]
1985
Edmund Darrell


Brian Cox Movies

Nicholas and Alexandra
[ 1971 ] Trotsky
In Celebration
[ 1975 ] Steven Shaw
Manhunter
[ 1986 ] Dr. Lecktor
Hidden Agenda
[ 1990 ] Kerrigan
The Lost Language of Cranes
[ 1991 ] Owen Benjamin
Deceptions
[ 1992 ] Carlton Heard
Iron Will
[ 1994 ] Angus McTeague
Royal Deceit
[ 1994 ] Aethelwine
Rob Roy
[ 1995 ] Killearn
Braveheart
[ 1995 ] Argyle Wallace
The Glimmer Man
[ 1996 ] Mr. Smith
The Long Kiss Goodnight
[ 1996 ] Nathan
Chain Reaction
[ 1996 ] Lyman Earl Collier
The Boxer
[ 1997 ] Joe Hamill
Kiss the Girls
[ 1997 ] Chief Hatfield
Rushmore
[ 1998 ] Dr. Nelson Guggenheim
Merchants of Venus
[ 1998 ] Uncle Vladimir
Desperate Measures
[ 1998 ] Captain Jeremiah Csidy
The Corruptor
[ 1999 ] Sean Wallace
For Love of the Game
[ 1999 ] Gary Wheeler
The Minus Man
[ 1999 ] Doug
Mad About Mambo
[ 2000 ] Sidney McLoughlin
Complicity
[ 2000 ] Inspector McDunn
A Shot at Glory
[ 2000 ] Martin Smith
Saltwater
[ 2000 ] George Beneventi
Strictly Sinatra
[ 2001 ] Chisolm
The Affair of the Necklace
[ 2001 ] Minister Breteuil
Super Troopers
[ 2001 ] Captain O Hagan
L.I.E.
[ 2001 ] Big John Harrigan
The Ring
[ 2002 ] Richard Morgan
Adaptation.
[ 2002 ] Robert McKee
25th Hour
[ 2002 ] James Brogan
Bug
[ 2002 ] Cyr
The Reckoning
[ 2002 ] Tobi
The Bourne Identity
[ 2002 ] Ward Abbott
The Rookie
[ 2002 ] Jim Morris Sr.
X2: X-Men United
[ 2003 ] William Stryker
Sin
[ 2003 ] Captain Oakes
The Bourne Supremacy
[ 2004 ] Ward Abbott
Troy
[ 2004 ] Agamemnon
Red Eye
[ 2005 ] Joe Reisert
The Ringer
[ 2005 ] Gary Barker
Match Point
[ 2005 ] Alec Hewett
The Flying Scotsman
[ 2006 ] Dougl Baxter
A Woman in Winter
[ 2006 ] Dr. Hunt
Running with Scissors
[ 2006 ] Dr. Finch
Battle for Terra
[ 2007 ] General Hemmer
Shoot on Sight
[ 2007 ] Daniel Tennant
Zodiac
[ 2007 ] Melvin Belli
Trick 'r Treat
[ 2007 ] Mr. Kreeg
The Water Horse
[ 2007 ] Old Angus
Agent Crush
[ 2008 ] Spanners
Red
[ 2008 ] Avery Ludlow
The Escapist
[ 2008 ] Frank Perry
Tell Tale
[ 2009 ] Phillip Van Doren
Fantastic Mr. Fox
[ 2009 ] Action 12 Reporter
The Good Heart
[ 2009 ] Jacques
All at Sea
[ 2010 ] Wally
As Good as Dead
[ 2010 ] Reverend Kalahan
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
[ 2011 ] John Landon
Ironclad
[ 2011 ] Baron William d Aubigny
Exit Humanity
[ 2011 ] Malcolm Young
The Veteran
[ 2011 ] Gerry Langdon
Coriolanus
[ 2011 ] Menenius
The Key Man
[ 2011 ] Irving
Citizen Gangster
[ 2011 ] Glover Boyd
Blood
[ 2012 ] Lenny Fairburn
The Campaign
[ 2012 ] Raymond Huggins
Her
[ 2013 ] Alan Watts
Blumenthal
[ 2013 ] Harold
RED 2
[ 2013 ] Ivan
Believe
[ 2013 ] Sir Matt Busby
The Gospel of John
[ 2014 ] Narrator
The Anomaly
[ 2014 ] Dr. Langham
Pixels
[ 2015 ] Admiral Porter
Forsaken
[ 2015 ] James McCurdy
Morgan
[ 2016 ] Jim Bryce
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
[ 2016 ] Tommy
The Carer
[ 2016 ] Sir Michael Gifford
Churchill
[ 2017 ] Winston Churchill
Bob the Builder: Mega Machines
[ 2017 ] Conrad UK & US, Crunch UK & US
The Pretenders
[ 2018 ] Henry
Super Troopers 2
[ 2018 ] Captain O Hagan
The Etruscan Smile
[ 2018 ] Rory MacNeil
Dark Highlands
[ 2018 ] Opening Narrator
Remember Me
[ 2019 ] Shane
The Last Right
[ 2019 ] Father Reilly
Strange But True
[ 2019 ] Bill
Last Moment of Clarity
[ 2020 ] Gilles
The Bay of Silence
[ 2020 ] Milton
Lawrence: After Arabia
[ 2021 ] Epilogue, Father Voice
Separation
[ 2021 ] Paul Rivers
Prisoner's Daughter
[ 2022 ] Max
Mending the Line
[ 2022 ] Ike Fletcher
The Independent
[ 2022 ] Nichol Booker
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
[ 2023 ] Helm Hammerhand

Brian Cox TV Shows

Blade Runner: Black Lotus
Niander Wallace Sr.
Crown Court
Edward McLennan
Shetland
Magnus Bain
Succession
Logan Roy

Brian Cox Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Brian Cox, St. Nicholas

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Solo Performance

Brian Cox - , St. Nicholas


winner
The Lortels - 1998 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Brian Cox, St. Nicholas

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Actor of the Year in a New Play

Brian Cox, Fashion, RSC


winner
Olivier Awards - 1988 - Actor of the Year in a Revival

Brian CoxTitus Andronicus

Olivier Awards - 1986 - Comedy Performance of the Year

Brian CoxMisalliance


winner
Olivier Awards - 1984 - Actor of the Year in a New Play

Brian CoxRat In The Skull

Brian Cox Videos

Brian Cox News


Photos: Inside Rehearsal For PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS


All new rehearsal photos have been released from the return of the original, smash hit production of People, Places and Things. 

Interview: Gordon Clapp talks ROBERT FROST: THE VERSE BUSINESS


Bittersweet serendipity will be in the air when actor Gordon Clapp takes the stage in the Boston premiere of “Robert Frost: This Verse Business,” being presented April 23–28 by Spring Pool Arts at the Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts.

SUCCESSION Actor Brian Cox Signs Petition to Save Historic Theatre


Brian Cox, known for his role in the hit series Succession, has backed a new petition to save The Old Rep, a historic theatre in Birmingham. Located on Station Street, the theatre opened in 1913 and according to Cox 'Some of the finest actors in the UK have travelled through the place.' These actors include such people as Albert Finney, Laurence Olivier and Ralph Richardson.

SKELLY Starring Brian Cox Released On Vudu In May 7


Discover the new family drama, SKELLY, directed by Matt Greene-Delanghe and starring Brian Cox. Explore a young boy's journey through grief and his obsession with mortality as he creates an annual haunted house.

World Premiere Plays & More Set for Signature Theatre 2024-25 Season


Signature Theatre has unveiled its 2024/2025 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets!

Review Roundup: Did Brian Cox Impress in LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT?


The Emmy, Golden Globe and Olivier award-winning actor Brian Cox, has made his return to the London stage in Jeremy Herrin’s new production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night.

Review: LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, Wyndham's Theatre


Eugene O'Neill's classic play of family strife has had regular revivals in London (most recently in 2018 and 2012). Set in 1912 and published posthumously in 1956, it remains one of the great American plays. Brian Cox returns to the London stage as James Tyrone, actor, family colossus, and flawed man, in a mesmerising performance.

Brian Cox, Marianne Elliot Announced For Theatrical Guild's AN AUDIENCE WITH Series


The Theatrical Guild, the UK industry charity dedicated to supporting Backstage and Front of House staff, has announced the launch of a new fundraising series for 2024 entitled, An Audience With.

Photos: First Look at LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT


All new production photos have been released for the new staging of Eugene O’Neill’s autobiographical magnum opus, Long Day’s Journey into Night directed by Jeremy Herrin. Check out the photos here!

Meet the Cast of HELL'S KITCHEN, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


Hell's Kitchen, the new musical conceived by Alicia Keys, begins previews tonight, March 28, with an opening night set for Saturday, April 20 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre. Meet the cast of Hell's Kitchen here!

Industry Pro Newsletter: Subscription Study in Pittsburgh


The storm of openings has begun on Broadway, as we prepare for what will be an even busier April leading into the conclusion of the 2023-2024 Broadway season. Amidst that storm, great work continues off-Broadway, as Cara Joy David reminds us when she pays a visit to Dead Outlaw.

Video: Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson Defend Casting 'Celebrities' in Theatre Roles


In a new interview, Long Day's Journey into Night stars Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson responded to the idea that celebrities are used as a marketing tactic in the theater. 

Brian Cox Name Patron of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe


Brian Cox has been named as the newest Patron of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Succession star joins fellow Patron Eddie Izzard and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society’s honorary President, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, as ambassadors for the festival.

Professor Brian Cox and Daniel Harding Bring SYMPHONIC HORIZONS to The Royal Opera House


The Royal Opera House will welcome back renowned physicist, Professor Brian Cox, as he and conductor, Daniel Harding, bring their new show Symphonic Horizons to the Main Stage. 

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS Will Return to the West End in May


The original hit production of People, Places and Things will make a return to London's West End, this spring. 

Photos: Inside Rehearsal For LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT at Wyndham's Theatre


All new rehearsal photos have been released for the new production of Eugene O’Neill’s  Long Day’s Journey into Night directed by Jeremy Herrin. Check out the photos here!

Video: Paramount+ Drops LITTLE WING Coming-Of-Age Film Trailer


Get a sneak peek at the official trailer video for the coming-of-age film LITTLE WING. Starring in LITTLE WING are Brian Cox (Succession) as Jaan, the pigeon racer; Kelly Reilly (Yellowstone) as Maddie, Kaitlyn's mom; Brooklynn Prince (Cocaine Bear) as Kaitlyn; and Che Tafari (Me Time) as Adam, Kaitlyn's classmate and friend.

Martin Freeman, Dermot O'Leary, Matt Lucas and More Set For WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED] 3


Park Theatre has announced the remaining celebrity guests taking part in the popular murder mystery fundraising spoof Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 3. Learn more about the lineup here!

Complete Cast Set For HELL'S KITCHEN on Broadway


The complete cast has been revealed for the Broadway premiere of the new musical HELL’S KITCHEN, set to begin performances next month! Learn more about who is joining the company here!

These Stars of SUCCESSION Have Ties to the Stage


With Jeremy Strong making his Broadway return in An Enemy of the People this season, BroadwayWorld is exploring some of the others stars of the iconic series Succession, who have ties to the stage.

Brian Cox FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Brian Cox been in?

Brian Cox has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Brian Cox been in?

Brian Cox has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Brian Cox's first West End show?

Brian Cox's first West End show was The Weir which opened in 2014

What awards has Brian Cox been nominated for?

Brian Cox has been nominated for the following awards: Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for St. Nicholas, Best Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for St. Nicholas, Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for St. Nicholas, Actor of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Fashion, RSC, Actor of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Titus Andronicus, Comedy Performance of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Misalliance, and Actor of the Year in a New Play (Olivier Awards) for Rat In The Skull.

What awards has Brian Cox won?

Brian Cox has won the Outstanding Lead Actor at The Lortels for "St. Nicholas," Actor of the Year in a Revival at the Olivier Awards for "Titus Andronicus," and Actor of the Year in a New Play at the Olivier Awards for "Rat In The Skull."

What is Brian Cox next theatre project?

Brian Cox's next show will be Long Day’s Journey Into Night which opens on 3/19/2024 on West End.

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