Colin Andrew Firth was born into an academic family in Grayshott, Hampshire, England, where his early life was shaped by his parents' professions. His mother, Shirley Jean (Rolles),was a comparative religion lecturer at the Open University, while his father, David Norman Lewis Firth, lectured on history at Winchester University College (formerly King Alfred's College) and worked on education for the Nigerian government. This academic background was further reinforced by his grandparents, who were missionaries. Firth's siblings, Katie Firth and Jonathan Firth, also followed in his footsteps by becoming actors.
Firth's first foray into acting occurred at a young age, when he played "Jack Frost" in a Christmas pantomime during his time at infant's school. He spent his early childhood in Nigeria, where his grandparents were missionaries, before returning to England at the age of five. He then entered a comprehensive school in Winchester, where he began to develop his interest in acting further.
After completing his education, Firth spent two years at the Drama Centre in Chalk Farm, where he honed his craft and was eventually "discovered" while performing in a production of "Hamlet" during his final term. His first professional role was as "Bennet" in the West End production of "Another Country", which led to him being cast as "Judd" in the movie adaptation of the play.
Firth went on to play a wide range of character parts in both film and television, including "Robert Lawrence" in the 1989 TV production "Tumbledown", for which he received the Royal Television Society Best Actor award and a BAFTA nomination. He also received a BAFTA nomination for his portrayal of "Mr. Darcy" in the 1995 TV version of "Pride and Prejudice".
In 2011, Firth's remarkable career culminated in him winning the Oscar for Best Actor for his commanding leading role as British King George VI in "The King's Speech", a performance that showcased his remarkable range and talent as an actor.
