Eddie Redmayne began his professional career appearing as Viola in Shakespeare's Globe production of Twelfth Night in 2002. Since that initial stage role, he has navigated a multifaceted career across theatre, film, and television, securing recognition through both the Laurence Olivier Awards and the Academy Awards while demonstrating versatility in complex character portrayals on both sides of the Atlantic.
Early Development and Education
Born in 1982 in London, Redmayne attended Colet Court and Eton College before reading History of Art at Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated with 2:1 Honours in 2003. His academic focus remained on Venetian architecture and surrealism, specifically producing theses on Brâncuși and Yves Klein. His early exposure to performance included training at the Jackie Palmer Stage School and participation in the St Paul's Choir.
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Redmayne achieved significant acclaim in theatre, receiving the 2010 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in John Logan's Red. His portrayal of King Richard II at the Donmar Warehouse earned him the Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance. In 2021, he starred in the West End revival of Cabaret, later reprising the role of the Emcee on Broadway in 2024, an effort that secured him a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical and a Tony nomination.
Film and Television Work
The actor gained broader visibility through his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything in 2014, winning the Academy Award for Best Actor, a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. He earned a second Academy Award nomination for his role in The Danish Girl in 2015. His filmography includes Fantastic Beasts, Les Misérables, and The Good Nurse. His television credits feature roles in The Pillars of the Earth, Birdsong, and The Day of the Jackal.
Fast facts
- Born: 1982, London
- Education: Trinity College, Cambridge
- Academy Award for Best Actor: 2015
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play: 2010
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: 2010
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical: 2022
- Languages: English
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
Questions readers ask
Which Academy Award did Eddie Redmayne win?
He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2015 for his role in The Theory of Everything.
Did he perform on Broadway?
Yes, he appeared on Broadway in productions of Red (2010) and Cabaret (2024).
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Actor — 2015
- BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role — 2015
- Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role — 2015
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play — 2010
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- Worked as film actor, stage actor and model
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