The illustrious individual in question began his academic pursuits by studying law at Jesus College, Oxford, where he would eventually become the president of Oxford University Drama Society (OUDS) during his final year. This marked a significant turning point in his career, as he took on the lead role in "Richard III" to widespread critical acclaim.
Following his time at Oxford, he joined the esteemed Old Vic theatre company, where he had the opportunity to share the stage with the renowned Richard Burton in a production of "Henry V". The Old Vic would ultimately prove to be a significant departure point in his career, as he left the company under less than ideal circumstances.
Undeterred, he spent some time in France, where he briefly considered remaining, but ultimately returned to the UK and devoted himself to television and low-budget film work for several years. However, it was his collaboration with the acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard that would bring him his first major artistic breakthrough.
In 1966, he appeared in Stoppard's teleplay "Teeth", which marked the beginning of a long and fruitful creative partnership. This was followed by another Stoppard production, "Another Moon Called Earth", a precursor to the playwright's later work "Jumpers".
The turning point in his career came when he was cast as "Guil" in the New York City production of "Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead", for which he received a Tony Award nomination. This critical and commercial success was followed by his win of the Most Promising Actor award in 1970 for his role in the Harold Pinter production of James Joyce's "Exiles".
He was subsequently invited to join the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC),where he would go on to play a wide range of roles, including Shakespearean characters and more popularly-based performances. His iconic portrayal of "Sherlock Holmes" in 1974 would be reprised in New York, earning him a second Tony Award nomination.
The following year, he starred as "Henry Carr" in Stoppard's "Travesties", which would ultimately earn him the Tony Award for Best Actor. He would go on to appear in a variety of productions in both the United States and the UK, including "Tartuffe", "Deathtrap", and "Amadeus".
In addition to his extensive work in theatre, he has also been recognized for his contributions to the stage through numerous award nominations and wins, including a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for his performance in Stoppard's "Invention of Love" in 1997.
Throughout his life, he has been married twice and has four children.
