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Derek Jacobi Headshot

Derek Jacobi

Birth Place: London, ENGLAND

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BIO

He is known for his work at the Royal National Theatre and for his film and television roles. He has received numerous accolades including a BAFTA Award, two Olivier Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Tony Award. He was given a knighthood for his services to theatre by Queen Elizabeth II in 1994.


Jacobi started his professional acting career with Laurence Olivier as one of the founding members of the National Theatre. He has appeared in numerous Shakespearean stage productions including Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, The Tempest, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet. Jacobi received the Laurence Olivier Award, for the title role in Cyrano de Bergerac in 1983 and Malvolio in Twelfth Night in 2009. He also won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his role as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing in 1985.
On television, he portrayed Claudius in the BBC series I, Claudius (1976), for which he won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor. He received two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for The Tenth Man (1988), and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Frasier (2001). He also took roles in ITV drama series Cadfael (1994–1998), the HBO film The Gathering Storm (2002), the sitcom Vicious (2013-2016), in BBC's Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020), and the Netflix series The Crown in 2019.
Jacobi has acted in numerous films including Othello (1965), The Day of the Jackal (1973), Henry V (1989), Dead Again (1991), Hamlet (1996), Nanny McPhee (2005), The Riddle (2007), My Week with Marilyn (2011), Anonymous (2011), Cinderella (2015), and Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Jacobi portrayed Senator Gracchus in Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000) and Gladiator II (2024). Jacobi has also earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards along with the ensemble cast for Robert Altman's Gosford Park (2001), and Tom Hooper's The King's Speech (2010).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Les Misérables
[TV]
MASTERPIECE on PBS Drama, 2019
Bishop
Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet
[West End]
Kenneth Branagh West End Revival, 2016
Juliet
Uncle Vanya
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2000
Ivan Petrovich Voinitsky
Breaking the Code
[Broadway]
1987
Alan Turing
Cyrano de Bergerac
[Broadway]
1984
Cyrano de Bergerac
Much Ado About Nothing
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1984
Signior Benedick of Padua
The Suicide
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Semyon Semyonovich Podsekalnikov

Movies

Interlude
[ 1968 ] Paul
Three Sisters
[ 1970 ] Andrei
The Day of the Jackal
[ 1973 ] Caron
Blueblood
[ 1974 ] Gregory
The Odessa File
[ 1974 ] Klaus Wenzer
The Medusa Touch
[ 1978 ] Moulton - John's Publisher
The Human Factor
[ 1979 ] Arthur Davis
The Man Who Went Up in Smoke
[ 1980 ] Martin Beck
Charlotte
[ 1981 ] Daberlohn
The Secret of NIMH
[ 1982 ] Nicodemus
Little Dorrit
[ 1987 ] Arthur Clennam
Henry V
[ 1989 ] Chorus
The Fool
[ 1990 ] Mr. Frederick, Sir John
Dead Again
[ 1991 ] Franklyn Madson
Hamlet
[ 1996 ] Claudius
Basil
[ 1998 ] Father Frederick
Love Is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon
[ 1998 ] Francis Bacon
Molokai
[ 1999 ] Father Leonor Fousnel
Gladiator
[ 2000 ] Gracchus
Up at the Villa
[ 2000 ] Lucky Leadbetter
The Body
[ 2001 ] Father Lavelle
Revelation
[ 2001 ] Librarian
On Wings of Fire
[ 2001 ] Narrator
Gosford Park
[ 2001 ] Probert
The Children's Midsummer Night's Dream
[ 2001 ] Theseus
Revengers Tragedy
[ 2002 ] Duke
Two Men Went to War
[ 2002 ] Major Merton
Strings
[ 2004 ] Nezo
Cloud Cuckoo Land
[ 2004 ] Victor
Bye Bye Blackbird
[ 2005 ] Lord Dempsey
Nanny McPhee
[ 2005 ] Mr Wheen
Underworld: Evolution
[ 2006 ] Corvinus Sir Derek Jacobi
Anastezsi
[ 2007 ] Balzer
Guantanamero
[ 2007 ] Guido, Commander
The Golden Compass
[ 2007 ] Magisterial Emissary
Adam Resurrected
[ 2008 ] Dr. Nathan Gross
A Bunch of Amateurs
[ 2008 ] Nigel Dewberry
Morris: A Life with Bells On
[ 2009 ] Quentin Neely
Endgame
[ 2009 ] Rudolph Agnew
The King's Speech
[ 2010 ] Archbishop Cosmo Lang
Hereafter
[ 2010 ] Derek Jacobi
Ironclad
[ 2011 ] Baron Reginald de Cornhill
There Be Dragons
[ 2011 ] Honorio Soto
National Theatre Live: King Lear
[ 2011 ] King Lear
Anonymous
[ 2011 ] Prologue
My Week with Marilyn
[ 2011 ] Sir Owen Morshead
Jail Caesar
[ 2012 ] Sulla
Grace of Monaco
[ 2014 ] Count Fernando D Aillieres Sir Derek Jacobi
Effie Gray
[ 2014 ] Travers Twiss
Cinderella
[ 2015 ] King
The History of Love
[ 2016 ] Léo Gursky
The Bed-Sitting Room
[ 2016 ] Lord Fortnum
Branagh Theatre Live: Romeo and Juliet
[ 2016 ] Mercutio
Murder on the Orient Express
[ 2017 ] Edward Henry Mterman
Stratton
[ 2017 ] Ross
Tomb Raider
[ 2018 ] Mr. Yaffe
Horrible Histories: The Movie - Rotten Romans
[ 2019 ] Claudius
The Warrior Queen of Jhansi
[ 2019 ] Lord Palmerston
Tolkien
[ 2019 ] Professor Wright
The Host
[ 2020 ] Dr. Hobson
Say Your Prayers
[ 2020 ] Father Enoch
Come Away
[ 2020 ] Mr Brown
A Bird Flew In
[ 2021 ] David
Romeo & Juliet
[ 2021 ] Narrator
Allelujah
[ 2022 ] Ambrose
Gladiator II
[ 2024 ] Gracchus
Gladiator II
[ 2024 ] Gracchus
Juliet & Romeo
[ 2025 ] Friar Lawrence
Hello Stranger
[ 2025 ]
Tinsel Town
[ 2025 ]
Moss & Freud
[ 2025 ] Lucian Freud

TV Shows

Good Omens
Metatron
Inside No. 9
Webster, Dennis Fulcher
Last Tango in Halifax
Alan
Mist: Sheepdog Tales
Narrator, Lord Henry
Mystery!: Cadfael
Brother Cadfael
Tales of the Unexpected
The Stranger, Drioli
Vicious
Stuart Bixby
The War Master
[ 2017-2024 ] The War Master
Family Guy
Rupert
Ludwig
Mr. Todd
Dark Gallifrey
The Master
Extraordinary
Audio Book Narrator
The War Master
[ 2017-2024 ] The War Master
Family Guy
Rupert
Ludwig
Mr. Todd
Dark Gallifrey
The Master
Extraordinary
Audio Book Narrator
The War Master
[ 2017-2026 ] The War Master (voice)
Good Omens
[ 2019-2026 ] Metatron
Doctor Who Unbound
[ 2003-2027 ] The Master

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Actor

Derek JacobiKing Lear


winner
Olivier Awards - 2009 - Best Actor

Derek JacobiTwelfth Night

Olivier Awards - 2006 - Best Actor

Derek JacobiDon Carlos


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Derek Jacobi, Uncle Vanya


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Derek Jacobi, Uncle Vanya


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

Derek JacobiBreaking The Code

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Derek Jacobi, Breaking the Code

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Derek Jacobi, Breaking the Code

Olivier Awards - 1986 - Actor of the Year

Derek JacobiBreaking The Code

Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Derek Jacobi, Cyrano de Bergerac

Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Derek Jacobi, Much Ado About Nothing


winner
Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Derek Jacobi, Much Ado About Nothing


winner
Olivier Awards - 1983 - Actor of the Year in a Revival

Derek JacobiCyrano De Bergerac

Drama Desk Awards - 1981 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Derek Jacobi, The Suicide

Olivier Awards - 1978 - Actor of the Year in a Revival

Derek JacobiIvanov

Olivier Awards - 1977 - Actor of the Year in a Revival

Derek JacobiHamlet

Videos

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News


Greenwich Theatre To Present THE LITTLE MERMAID, ROMEO AND JULIET, and More in 2026 Photo
Greenwich Theatre To Present THE LITTLE MERMAID, ROMEO AND JULIET, and More in 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

Greenwich Theatre has announced its Spring Summer 2026 season featuring the UK premiere of Neil LaBute's America The Beautiful, a vivid new Romeo and Juliet, The Little Mermaid and the 2026 Greenwich Theatre Pantomime
Greenwich Theatre Unveils Spring/Summer 2026 Season Featuring Four Major Productions Photo
Greenwich Theatre Unveils Spring/Summer 2026 Season Featuring Four Major Productions and Expanded Artist Support
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

Greenwich Theatre will unveil an expansive Spring/Summer 2026 season featuring four in-house productions, new writing initiatives, and performances from visiting companies.
Neil LaBute's AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL and More Set for Greenwich Theatre Spring/Summer Photo
Neil LaBute's AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL and More Set for Greenwich Theatre Spring/Summer 2026 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 2, 2025

Greenwich Theatre has unveiled its Spring Summer 2026 season featuring the UK premiere of Neil LaBute's America The Beautiful, The Little Mermaid, and more!
Arts Theatre Cambridge Will Reopen Its Doors After Ten-month Transformation Photo
Arts Theatre Cambridge Will Reopen Its Doors After Ten-month Transformation
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2025

With just two weeks to curtain up, final touches are being made to the beautifully reimagined auditorium, and anticipation is building across the city for the return of one of Cambridge's most cherished cultural landmarks.  
Meet the Cast of OEDIPUS, Now Playing on Broadway Photo
Meet the Cast of OEDIPUS, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Oct 30, 2025

The Olivier Award-winning Oedipus, an adaptation created and directed by Robert Icke, will begin performances on Broadway on Thursday, October 30, 2025. Meet the cast of Oedipus here!
Tickets to Tyrese, Rick Wakeman, and Grand Kyiv Ballet on Sale at BergenPAC Photo
Tickets to Tyrese, Rick Wakeman, and Grand Kyiv Ballet on Sale at BergenPAC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2025

bergenPAC will present three new shows for this season, Tyrese, Rick Wakeman, and Grand Kyiv Ballet now on Sale at BergenPAC. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Film Adaptation Underway For FRANK AND PERCY, Starring Ian McKellen and Roger Allam Photo
Film Adaptation Underway For FRANK AND PERCY, Starring Ian McKellen and Roger Allam
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2025

A film adaptation is in the works of Frank and Percy, starring Ian McKellen and Roger Allam. Kaleidoscope Film Distribution has picked up world sales rights for the film, which starts production this month.
An Evening With Russell Tovey to be Presented at The Delaunay Photo
An Evening With Russell Tovey to be Presented at The Delaunay
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 20, 2025

The Delaunay, in partnership with the Royal Theatrical Fund, will host an exclusive evening with acclaimed actor Russell Tovey, as part of its ‘The Delaunay Presents, An Evening With…’ series.
Interview: 'I Still Don't Know What The Hell I'm Doing': Actor Robert Sean Leonard on Photo
Interview: 'I Still Don't Know What The Hell I'm Doing': Actor Robert Sean Leonard on Acting Origins, Auditions and Performing in INTERVIEW at London's Riverside Studios
by Kat Mokrynski - Aug 12, 2025

Recently, we had the chance to speak with Leonard about taking on the role of Pierre Peters. We discussed how he first got started in the world of theatre, what it’s like to perform in a new piece of theatre versus a revival of a classic work and what he thinks audiences will be talking about on the way home after the show.
Laura Whitmore Will Lead THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN At The Everyman Photo
Laura Whitmore Will Lead THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN At The Everyman
by Stephi Wild - Jul 29, 2025

Laura Whitmore will take centre stage at The Everyman this August, starring as Rachel Watson in the smash-hit Wiltshire Creative production of The Girl on the Train.
Review: SUSAN EDWARDS MARTIN AT CV REP CABARET SERIES Photo
Review: SUSAN EDWARDS MARTIN AT CV REP CABARET SERIES
by June August - Jul 14, 2025

Have you ever left a theater wishing the performer you just enjoyed could be your friend? That’s how I felt after hearing Susan Edwards Martin sing at CV Rep’s Cabaret Series. Susan has the knack of embracing you with her voice and making a place for you in the living room of her heart.
Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, and Sir Derek Jacobi Support Redevelopment of The Photo
Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, and Sir Derek Jacobi Support Redevelopment of The Arts Theatre Cambridge
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 9, 2025

British theatre icons Dame Judi Dench, Sir Ian McKellen, and Sir Derek Jacobi have joined forces in a new campaign film championing the ambitious redevelopment of The Arts Theatre Cambridge, one of the region’s most historic and influential cultural venues.
JULIET & ROMEO Musical Sets Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Release in the UK Photo
JULIET & ROMEO Musical Sets Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Release in the UK
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 26, 2025

On 14th July, Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment will release the original pop musical, Juliet & Romeo, on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital in the UK. Fans of the film will be treated to some exciting bonus features, including an alternate ending, behind-the-scenes interviews, and more.
Over £110,000 Raised at the Acting For Others West End Flea Market Photo
Over £110,000 Raised at the Acting For Others West End Flea Market
by Stephi Wild - May 19, 2025

Theatrical charity Acting for Others has announced that more than £110,000 was raised at their fifth annual West End Flea Market, held on Saturday 17 May at St Paul's Church in Covent Garden, making it their most successful event to date.
Video: JULIET & ROMEO Star Jamie Ward Teases 'Insane' Pop Music in New Film Photo
Video: JULIET & ROMEO Star Jamie Ward Teases 'Insane' Pop Music in New Film
by Josh Sharpe - May 14, 2025

During a recent visit to The Kelly Clarkson Show, Juliet & Romeo star Jamie Ward shed light on the new pop musical reimagining of the Shakespeare play, now in theaters. Watch the interview here!
Review Roundup: What Do Critics Think of the New JULIET & ROMEO Pop Musical? Photo
Review Roundup: What Do Critics Think of the New JULIET & ROMEO Pop Musical?
by Josh Sharpe - May 9, 2025

A new Shakespeare adaptation is always an event. Juliet & Romeo, a movie musical reimagining of the classic play, tells the familiar story of the star-crossed lovers with a pop twist. Find out what critics think of the movie here!
Exclusive: Rebel Wilson Shares Personal Connections to JULIET & ROMEO Role Photo
Exclusive: Rebel Wilson Shares Personal Connections to JULIET & ROMEO Role
by Josh Sharpe - May 9, 2025

With Juliet & Romeo now in theaters, BroadwayWorld caught up with Rebel Wilson to talk about playing the role of Lady Capulet in the pop musical, the anthemic song 'The Mask I Wear,' and how becoming a mother herself helped her better understand the character.
Exclusive: Jamie Ward Explains How the Music of JULIET & ROMEO Transforms a Familiar Photo
Exclusive: Jamie Ward Explains How the Music of JULIET & ROMEO Transforms a Familiar Tale
by Josh Sharpe - May 9, 2025

BroadwayWorld caught up with Jamie Ward to discuss the new pop musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, playing the iconic character of Romeo, and how the pop songs breathe new life into a familiar tale.
Video: Rebel Wilson Teases JULIET & ROMEO Pop Musical on LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK Photo
Video: Rebel Wilson Teases JULIET & ROMEO Pop Musical on LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK
by Josh Sharpe - May 8, 2025

On a recent visit to Live with Kelly and Mark, Rebel Wilson shared why she chose to appear as Lady Capulet in the new pop musical rendition of Romeo and Juliet, hitting theaters tomorrow. Watch the interview now!
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN is Coming to Milton Keynes Theatre Photo
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN is Coming to Milton Keynes Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

A new UK Tour of the Wiltshire Creative Production of The Girl on the Train is coming to Milton Keynes Theatre this June. Learn more about the show here!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Derek Jacobi been in?

Derek Jacobi has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Derek Jacobi been in?

Derek Jacobi has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Derek Jacobi's first West End show?

Derek Jacobi's first West End show was Romeo and Juliet which opened in 2016

What awards has Derek Jacobi been nominated for?

Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for King Lear, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Actor (Olivier Awards) for Don Carlos, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Uncle Vanya , Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Breaking The Code, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Breaking the Code, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Breaking the Code, Actor of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Breaking The Code, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Cyrano de Bergerac, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing, Actor of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Cyrano De Bergerac, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Suicide, Actor of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Ivanov and Actor of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Hamlet.

What awards has Derek Jacobi won?

Derek Jacobi has won several prestigious awards throughout his career. He received the Best Actor Olivier Award for Twelfth Night, Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Uncle Vanya, and Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards also for Uncle Vanya. Additionally, he won the Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for Breaking The Code. Jacobi earned the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Much Ado About Nothing, and he was named Actor of the Year in a Revival at the Olivier Awards for Cyrano De Bergerac.

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