Jonathan Pryce

Sir Jonathan Pryce is a celebrated Welsh actor.

He is recognized for his work in theater, film, and television. His talent is often described as versatile. This means he can play many different types of characters. He has earned many prestigious honors for his skill. These include two Tony Awards and two Laurence Olivier Awards. He also received a knighthood in 2021 for his services to drama.

Acting is the art of portraying characters in stories. Pryce began his formal training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, or RADA. He graduated from RADA in 1971 with a diploma in acting. While he was a student, he worked as a door-to-door salesman. He sold velvet paintings to support himself. He later changed his name to Jonathan Pryce. His birth name, John Price, was too similar to another performer. This change helped him establish a unique identity in the industry.

Pryce's career began on the stage in the early 1970s. He joined the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool. He eventually served as its artistic director. He also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Nottingham Playhouse. His early roles included playing Petruchio in *The Taming of the Shrew*. He also played Octavius Caesar in *Antony and Cleopatra*. These roles helped him build a strong reputation in British theater.

His rise to fame included several major milestones. In 1977, he won a Tony Award for his Broadway debut. He played a role in the play *Comedians*. In 1980, he won an Olivier Award for playing Hamlet. Critics called his performance the definitive Hamlet of his generation. He also had a significant role in the radio series *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*. He played the character Zarniwoop, who questions the ruler of the Universe.

In 1985, Pryce achieved a breakthrough in film. He played Sam Lowry in the dystopian film *Brazil*. This movie was a satirical black comedy directed by Terry Gilliam. Following this, he appeared in many big-budget films. These included *Evita*, *Tomorrow Never Dies*, and the *Pirates of the Caribbean* series. He also worked in independent films like *The Age of Innocence*. His ability to move between large movies and small films is a key part of his career.

Pryce also had a notable career in musical theater. In 1990, he played The Engineer in the musical *Miss Saigon*. This role was controversial during its move to Broadway. The Actors' Equity Association initially objected to his casting. They felt a Caucasian actor using makeup to appear Asian was an affront. However, a deal was eventually made so he could perform. He won a Tony Award for this role in 1991. This performance remains a significant moment in his history.

Television has provided many more opportunities for Pryce. He has received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He played Henry Kravis in *Barbarians at the Gate*. He also played Prince Philip in the series *The Crown*. Other notable roles include the High Sparrow in *Game of Thrones*. He appeared as Pope Francis in the film *The Two Popes*. This performance earned him an Academy Award nomination in 2019. His work spans many different eras of storytelling.