I was under (Laurence Olivier's) spell
more than most. He was what
acting should be
Simon Callow CBE
B: 15 June 1949
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Noted actor, director and author, Simon Callow shot to public acclaim in 1979 thanks to his breathtaking portrayal of
Mozart in the National Theatre production of AMADEUS, only to see Tom Hulce cast in the part when the show was
given the Hollywood makeover.
Compensated by way of the supporting role of Schikaneder, Callow ever the actor's actor, shone in the part, but then this
is a man who like Denholm Elliott, can make two lines seem like Hamlet!
Combining a highly successful stage and film career thereafter, his cinematic performances range from such works as
A ROOM WITH A VIEW / 1985, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE / 1998 and BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS / 2003, to such gay themed features
as MAURICE / 1987, BEDROOMS AND HALLWAYS / 1998, to the massive British hit FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL / 1994.
Not adverse to doing the odd bit of television work along the way, such has included his splendid appearance as Charles
Dickens in the 2005 revamped series of DR WHO; an apt appointment given Callow has written extensively about
the man himself, including playing him on-stage in his one-man show THE MYSTERY OF CHARLES DICKENS.
Additional written words include his noted biographies on Orson Welles and Charles Laughton, viewed by many as the
definitive works on their subjects.
Openly gay, he was awarded the CBE in 1999 for his services to acting, being like Sir Ian McKellen, one of the most
respected actors and out personalities of today.
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