Charles Dance

Biography

Walter Charles Dance OBE, born on October 10, 1946, is a distinguished English actor, screenwriter, and director renowned for his commanding performances, often portraying authoritative figures or antagonists. He gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Tywin Lannister in HBO's epic series Game of Thrones and has appeared in various notable films and series, including Kitchener in The King's Man, and Martin Benson in Amazon Prime's The Widow. His impressive repertoire also features Lord Mountbatten in Netflix's The Crown, a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series.

Other significant roles in his career include Thomas in the Underworld franchise, Harold Fillmore in the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters, Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Frankenstein in Victor Frankenstein, and the Master Vampire in Dracula Untold. Dance's versatility is further displayed in performances such as Conrad Knox in the action series Strike Back, Raymond Stockbridge in Gosford Park, and the one-eyed hitman Benedict in Last Action Hero.

Dance's journey began on the stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company, laying the foundation for his illustrious career. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. Additionally, he made his directorial debut with the 2004 film Ladies in Lavender, which he also wrote and produced.