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Ben Kingsley

Kingsley was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire. His father, Harji Bhanji, was a Kenya-born medical doctor of Indian (Gujarati Hindu) descent, and his mother, Anna Lyna Mary, was a fashion model and actress; one of his maternal grandparents was a Jewish immigrant from Russia [1]. Young "Kingsley" began his acting career on the stage at Manchester Grammar School alongside Robert Powell, but made a transition to film roles early on. It was at this point that he changed his name, fearing a foreign name would hamper his career.

(1972). Kingsley continued starring in bit roles in both film and television (including a bit part on the soap opera in 1982. Kingsley was critically acclaimed and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role.

Kingsley has avoided stereotyping and has been cast in a variety of roles. His credits include the films

Kingsley was awarded a knighthood in the 2001 New Years Honours list. He is famous for being one of the few actors to insist his title is used. He has also won a Crystal Globe award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2001.

Kingsley has four children: Thomas and Jasmine Bhanji (with actress Angela Morant) and Edmund and Ferdinand Kingsley, both of whom are actors (with theatrical director Alison Sutcliffe).

He recently divorced German-born Alexandra Christmann and lives in Spelsbury, England.