Ben Chaplin arrived on the Hollywood scene in 1996 with his comedy debut in "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" with his charming and darkly handsome looks. Despite his tendency to avoid mainstream artificiality, he has consistently sought out small, intense, independent projects that showcase his talent.
Born Benedict John Greenwood in Windsor, England, Chaplin was raised as the youngest of four children to a drama teacher mother and a civil engineer father. He developed an interest in acting while appearing in a school play and attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. However, he left after his first year to pursue a career in the local theatre scene.
Before making it big in Hollywood, Chaplin worked as a statistician for the London Transport Authority and made his TV debut in 1990. His breakthrough role came in 1992 with a co-starring role in the TV-movie "Bye Bye Baby," which led to his introduction to film-making with a small part in the Merchant Ivory period drama "The Remains of the Day" in 1993.
Chaplin's career in Hollywood was marked by his willingness to take on unconventional roles. He played a social misfit in the film "Feast of July" in 1995 and an offbeat role in the BBC TV series "Game-On" in the same year. His performance in "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" caught the attention of Hollywood, and he was soon offered the role of the photographer who gets caught between two women.
After "The Truth About Cats & Dogs," Chaplin continued to work in both film and theatre. He earned winning reviews and an Olivier Award nomination for his portrayal of Tom Wingfield in "The Glass Menagerie" on the London stage. He also appeared alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh and Albert Finney in "Washington Square" in 1997 and in Terrence Malick's remake of "The Thin Red Line" in 1998.
Since then, Chaplin has focused on taking risks and pursuing quality work over mainstream success. He has appeared in a range of films, including "Lost Souls," "Birthday Girl," "Murder by Numbers," "The Touch," "Stage Beauty," "The New World," and "Me and Orson Welles." He has also made his Broadway debut in "The Retreat from Moscow" in 2003 and earned a Tony nomination for his performance.
Chaplin's most recent film roles include a prime role in the portrait of Dorian Gray in 2009.
