Born: June 14, 1949 – Died: December 2, 2021
Antony Sher, born in 1949 in Cape Town, South Africa, emerged as a luminary in the acting world. Sher's remarkable career, marked by versatility and depth, left an indelible mark on the performing arts industry.
Early Life and Career
Sher's formative years in South Africa laid the groundwork for his passion for acting. He later moved to London, studying at the Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art between 1969 and 1971. His early career saw him performing in various theatrical productions, notably with the Gay Sweatshop group.
Sher's major breakthrough came when he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1982. His portrayal of Richard III in 1985 was a career-defining moment, earning him widespread acclaim and an Olivier Award for Best Actor. His subsequent performance in "Stanley" in 1997 further cemented his status as a theatrical icon.
Sher's talents extended beyond the stage. He appeared in several films and TV series, delivering memorable performances in projects like "Shakespeare in Love" and "Mrs. Brown." His portrayal of Dr. Moth in "Shakespeare in Love" in 1998 showcased his ability to captivate audiences in both supporting and leading roles.
Apart from his acting prowess, Sher was also a talented writer and musician, contributing significantly to the cultural landscape. His personal life was marked by his marriage to Gregory Doran, with whom he shared a deep bond until his death in 2021.
Sir Antony Sher's contributions to theater and film earned him the title of Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in 2000, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to drama. His legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by his profound impact on both stage and screen, his unique ability to bring characters to life, and his commitment to the craft of acting. Sher remains an icon, celebrated for his unparalleled talent and dedication to the arts.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Joe Orton Laid Bare (TV Movie) | Ensemble Cast |
| 2016 | Royal Shakespeare Company: King Lear | King Lear |
| 2014 | War Book | David |
| 2014 | Royal Shakespeare Company: Henry IV Part II | Sir John Falstaff |
| 2014 | Royal Shakespeare Company: Henry IV Part I | Sir John Falstaff |
| 2014 | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Extended Edition Scenes (Short) | Thrain |
| 2013 | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug | Thrain (uncredited) |
| 2013 | Marple (TV Series) | Rafiel |
| 2012 | National Theatre Live: Travelling Light | Jacob Bindel |
| 2011 | The Shadow Line (TV Mini Series) | Peter Glickman |
| 2010 | Afterspace (Short) | Bearded Man |
| 2010 | The Wolfman | Dr. Hoenneger |
| 2008 | God on Trial (TV Movie) | Akiba |
| 2008 | A Deal Is a Deal | Maurice (as Sir Antony Sher) |
| 2007 | Behind the Director's Son's Cut (Video) | Loki |
| 2007 | Primo (TV Movie) | Primo Levi |
| 2007 | The Company (TV Mini Series) | Ezra ben Ezra, the Rabbi |
| 2005 | Primo (Video) | Primo Levi |
| 2005 | A Higher Agency (Short) | Chef |
| 2004 | Churchill: The Hollywood Years | Hitler |
| 2004 | Murphy's Law (TV Series) | Frank Jeremy |
| 2003 | Home (TV Movie) | Gerald Ballantyne |
| 2002 | The Jury (TV Series) | Gerald Lewis QC |
| 2001 | Macbeth (TV Movie) | Macbeth |
| 1999 | The Winter's Tale (TV Movie) | Leontes, King of Sicilia (as Anthony Sher) |
| 1999 | The Miracle Maker | Ben Azra (voice) |
| 1999 | Horatio Hornblower: The Wrong War (TV Movie) | Colonel Moncoutant |
| 1998 | Shakespeare in Love | Dr Moth |
| 1997 | Mrs. Brown | Disraeli |
| 1996 | The Moonstone (TV Movie) | Sergeant Cuff |
| 1996 | Alive and Kicking | Jack |
| 1996 | Mr. Toad's Wild Ride | Chief Weasel |
| 1995 | Look at the State We're In! (TV Mini Series) | The Don |
| 1995 | The Young Poisoner's Handbook | Dr. Ernest Zeigler |
| 1995 | One Foot in the Grave (TV Series) | Mr. Prothrow |
| 1994 | Shakespeare: The Animated Tales (TV Series) | Richard III (voice) |
| 1993 | Genghis Cohn | Genghis Cohn |
| 1992 | The Comic Strip Presents (TV Series) | Scum Editor |
| 1990 | Screenplay (TV Series) | David Samuels |
| 1990 | The Play on One (TV Series) | Captain Edmund Lambert |
| 1989 | Erik the Viking | Loki |
| 1985 | Theatre Night (TV Series) | Bulgakov | Molière | Introduction |
| 1985 | Shadey | Oliver Shadey |
| 1984 | All the World's a Stage (TV Mini Series) | Extracts from Peer Gynt (as Anthony Sher) |
| 1983 | Tartuffe, or The Impostor (TV Movie) | Tartuffe |
| 1982 | The New Adventures of Lucky Jim (TV Series) | Maurice Victor |
| 1981 | Mark Gertler: Fragments of a Biography | Mark Gertler |
| 1981 | The History Man (TV Mini Series) | Howard Kirk |
| 1980 | Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut | Bell Boy |
| 1980 | Superman II | Bell Boy |
| 1979 | Collision Course (TV Movie) | Tasic |
| 1979 | Yanks | The Americans - G.I. at Cinema |
| 1979 | Turtle's Progress (TV Series) | Al Shapiro |
| 1979 | One Fine Day (TV Movie) | Mr. Alpert (uncredited) |
| 1979 | Play for Today (TV Series) | Nathan |
| 1978 | Pickersgill People (TV Series) | Piers Hatch | Sheikh Fahmi Al-Daoud Al-Tufah |
| 1978 | ITV Playhouse (TV Series) | Morris |
| 1976 | The Madness (TV Movie) | Militia man | Young man in café |
| 1973–1974 | 2nd House (TV Series) | The Beatles | Soft or a Girl cast member |