Richard Loncraine

Born: October 20 1946
Where: Cheltenham, England, UK

The award-winning director is known for a diverse output ranging from his modern-day take on Richard III to the romantic comedy Wimbledon.

An artist whose work has been displayed at the Insititute of Contemporary Art, he is also credited with designing the clacking 1970s executive toy The Newton's Cradle.

After making documentaries and educational programmes for the BBC, he attracted the attention of director John Schlesinger who chose him to work as a designer on Sunday Bloody Sunday in 1971.

He went on to work as second unit director for the risque British comedy Rentadick in 1972.

Loncraine made his feature debut with the musical drama Flame, which marked the beginning of a long relationship with the actor Tom Conti.

The actor starred in Loncraine's chilling The Haunting of Julia and the director then switched to television.

In 1982, he directed Monty Python star Michael Palin in his self-written comedy The Missionary with Maggie Smith and Trevor Howard.

The same year he also helmed the Dennis Potter drama Brimstone and Treacle with Sting in his first full starring role.

In 1987 he directed Bernard Hill in the crime caper Bellman and True and in 1995 updated Shakespeare to the modern age for the Oscar-nominated Richard III.

Loncraine directed a segment of the Steven Spielberg-produced Band of Brothers and went on to make the award-winning TV movies The Gathering Storm and My House in Umbria.

Recent work includes the lightweight romantic comedy Wimbledon with Paul Bettany and Kirsten Dunst.