Ben Cross

Born: 16 December 1947
Where: London, England

Born Bernard Cross, this British actor has enjoyed much stage success in England, but has only had limited impact in the States.

Ben dropped out of school at 15 to take odd jobs and drifted into backstage work for the Welsh National Opera and the Wimbledon Theatre. After being trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he made his stage debut in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

He went on to numerous theatrical productions in the 1970s, both in England and in the US, as well as touring worldwide with the Prospect Theatre Company and in 1977 joining the Royal Shakespeare Company.

After a bit part in the film A Bridge Too Far, Ben had his first major film hit as the Jewish Olympic hopeful in Chariots of Fire. He subsequently appeared in films like The Assisi Underground, The Unholy, Cold Sweat and First Knight.

Ben continued to appear mainly in supporting roles in movies throughout the 90s and into the new millennium.