David Schofield was born in 1951 in Manchester, England, to a working-class family with many siblings. His early introduction to acting was at the age of 12, when he began performing at his Manchester boy's school. This initial experience sparked a passion for the craft, and he went on to pursue it with dedication and perseverance.
In 1967, Schofield was accepted as a student assistant stage manager at a local repertory theatre in Manchester. He worked his way up the ranks, taking on various roles and responsibilities, including prop-making, sound-man, writer, stage sweeper, waiter, and tea-maker. He put in 14-hour days, six days a week, for two seasons before being accepted as a student at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
At the age of 19, Schofield left the academy to pursue a career as a working actor, and he quickly made a name for himself in television. He appeared in numerous popular TV series, including Footballers' Wives and Holby City, as well as various other TV productions.
Schofield's big-screen credits include memorable roles such as "Falco" in Gladiator, "McQueen" in From Hell, and "Mr. Mercer" in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and its sequels. He has maintained a long and successful association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre, performing in a wide range of stage productions, including musicals and straight plays on the West End stage in London.
Throughout his 30-year acting career, Schofield has maintained the same agent and has been fortunate enough to enjoy a happy life with his wife, Lally Percy, and their children, Fred Schofield and Blanche Schofield. He currently resides in England.
