Alex Jennings

Alex Michael Jennings CBE, born on May 10, 1957, is an esteemed English actor known for his roles on both stage and screen. Working extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, Jennings received three Olivier Awards for his electrifying performances in Too Clever by Half (1988), Peer Gynt (1996), and My Fair Lady (2003), making him the only performer to have won Olivier awards in drama, musical, and comedy categories. Additionally, Jennings' film work is highly regarded, with his role as Prince Charles in The Queen (2006) opposite Helen Mirren standing as a career highlight. Other notable film appearances include, The Wings of the Dove (1997), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Babel (2006), Belle (2013), and The Lady in the Van (2015) co-starring Maggie Smith. His career in television scored great appraisal for his performances such as his portrayal of Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, in the Netflix series The Crown (2016-2017) alongside Claire Foy, and as Leopold I of Belgium in the ITV series Victoria (2016–2019) opposite Jenna Coleman. Known for his versatility, Jennings has also appeared in Stephen Frears's A Very English Scandal (2018) alongside Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, and in Steve McQueen's Small Axe: Mangrove (2020) starring Letitia Wright. Born in Romford, Essex, Jennings trained for two years at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and began his career in regional repertory theatre in the early 1980s. His journey from there to stardom includes a wide range of roles, from his portrayal of Maximilien Robespierre in The Scarlet Pimpernel to Gloumov in Too Clever by Half at the Old Vic, which earned him the Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance in 1988. His long list of appearances in television, film, and radio broadcasts exhibits a remarkable depth of talent and dedication to his craft.