From Holywell to Hollywood, Jonathan Pryce, CBE is a critically acclaimed and award winning actor from North Wales, internationally regarded as the one of greatest ones both on stage and screen. Renowned for his immense versatility and powerful presence he has transcended the industry, effortlessly moving between Hollywood studio films and the classical West End in a range of work that also includes bold independent cinema and the Broadway musical. He has created some of the most memorable characters in cinema and for over forty years been on the wish list of many of the worlds most notorious and accomplished directors as 'Someone they must work with'. Jonathan, after graduating from the world famous RADA in London, began his career in the 1970's at the hugely influential Liverpool Everyman Theatre which grounded his politics and talent and helped attract a legacy of brave individual artists that have since been through their doors. From his definitive performance as Hamlet, he made his breakthrough screen performance in 'Terry Gilliam' .
Pryce was one of the stars of Dark Blood , along with Judy Davis and River Phoenix , but the movie was never released due to Phoenixs death during filming in 1993.
Originated the role of The Engineer in the musical "Miss Saigon".
He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1990 (1989 season) for Best Actor in a Musical for "Miss Saigon".
He was nominated for a 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Musical of 2001 for his performance in "My Fair Lady" at the Royal National Theatre: Lyttelton and then later at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Children: Patrick , Gabriel Pryce and Phoebe Pryce .
Performed in plays for the Royal Shakespeare Company, in the period 1978 to 1987.
Became an Associate Member of RADA.
Alumni of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
Was the artistic director of the Liverpool Everyman, during the seventies.
He appeared in most of Nissans luxury car division in America, Infinitis television ads in the mid-1990s.
Won two Tony Awards: in 1977 as Best Actor (Featured Role - Play) for "Comedians" and in 1991 for Best Actor for "Miss Saigon".
Pryce was at the center of a racially-charged controversy regarding his role in the mid-1980s musical Miss Saigon. He played The Engineer, a half-French Caucasian/half-Vietnamese Asian pimp, in the original London cast, but when producer Cameron Mackintosh wanted to transfer the UK cast to the original Broadway opening, the US performers union Actors Equity objected on the grounds that Pryce, a Welsh Caucasian, should not have been allowed to play an Asian person. Their arguments against Pryces casting were that a White person playing an Asian one amounted to minstrelsy, denied already-scarce roles to Asian actors, and was an "affront to the Asian community." In response, Mackintosh canceled the Broadway production (despite having sold advance tickets), so Actors Equity reversed its decision on a technicality in their bylaws that exempts producers from having to audition domestic actors for a transplanted production if the original star is deemed famous enough. The policies regarding racial casting issues that Actors Equity set in place in response to this incident still govern Broadway casting as of 2006.
He won a 1980 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Revival for his depiction of Hamlet, a performance made famous by his also playing the role of Hamlets fathers ghost as a regurgitated voice.
Awarded an honorary doctorate by The University of Liverpool on 12th December 2006 in recognition of his contribution to the acting arts on stage and screen.
He was awarded the CBE in the 2009 Queens Birthday Honours List for his services to Drama.
(April 2004) Starred as Martin in Edward Albee s controversial play "The Goat or Who is Sylvia?" at the Apollo Theatre in Londons West End.
(May 2005) Reprised his role as Zarniwoop (and a new character, Vann Harl) in the new "Quandary Phase" episodes of "The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy" BBC4 radio series, adapted from book 4 of the late Douglas Adams "Hitch Hikers Trilogy", "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish".
Starred in Broadways "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" with Norbert Leo Butz.
(June 2009) Camden Town, London, England
Starred as Professor Henry Higgins in Trevor Nunn s production of "My Fair Lady", which began at the National Theatre and has since moved to the Drury Lane Theatre in London.
(January 2005) Starred in Broadways "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" taking over the role of Lawrence Jamieson, originally played by John Lithgow.
(January 2006) Started a stint as conman Lawrence Jameson in the hit Broadway Musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" playing at the Imperial Theater in NYC
(October 2009) Starred in Harold Pinter s "The Caretaker" at the Everyman in Liverpool.
According to the Michael Palin diaries, Pryce was seen for a role in Raiders of the Lost Ark .
Considered for the roles of Caine, Dr.Armstong, Bukovsky and Roger Derebridge in Lifeforce .
Was considered for the role of Arthur Parker in "Pennies from Heaven" .
I have just enough public appreciation to make me happy.
I live a very ordinary life. The rare awards ceremonies I go to are,quite fun, because I can enjoy the irony of one minute walking to the,tube, and the next being driven along the same stretch of road in a,limo.
I know people whose entire lives are ruined by fame. If you make,yourself exclusive, people want to break that down, but if you go about,doing your shopping, no one bugs you.
When I left school, I wanted to be an artist, specifically a painter. .
