British Dominic West is an actor familiar to many cinema lovers. In his piggy bank of roles are Shakespearean and ancient Roman characters, American policemen, a hotel manager and such bright personalities as Ernest Hemingway and Pablo Picasso.
Biography Facts
The future actor was born on October 15, 1969 in Sheffil (England, Yorkshire) in a large Irish Catholic family. He is the sixth of seven sisters and brothers. Dominic's mother was an actress, and her father owned his own plastics factory. He was educated at Eton College and Irish Trinity College. In 1995, Dominic West (films with his participation will be listed below) graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
The actor has been married to film producer Katherine Fitzgerald since 2010. The couple has four children, and Dominic also has a daughter from his first civil marriage. Katherine comes from an old Irish aristocratic family.
He made his acting debut in 1993 in an obscure short film. After a long break, two years later (1995) he was approved for the rolethe future King Henry VII in the film adaptation of Shakespeare's play "Richard III". This project was his starting point. The actor began to be invited to Hollywood films and television series. We offer you a selection of the highest grossing and popular projects where Dominic West participates. The filmography of the actor currently includes more than 50 roles, two series, where he acts as a director, producer, as well as many theatrical productions and television programs.
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)
The role of Lysander from Shakespeare's play is one of the first in the actor's career, and therefore is of interest to the viewer. The film adaptation of the classic was directed by Michael Hoffman. The plot is eternal, simple and complex at the same time - love and passion. The film has a great cast: Christian Bale, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart, Rupert Everett, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Kline, Sophie Marceau, Anna Friel.
"Rock Star" (2001)
The dramatic film directed by Stephen Herek is based on the real life story of vocalist Timothy Stephen Owens from the popular band Judas Priest in the 70s of the last century. This is a story about the rock arena of the period that defined the sound of heavy metal and its place in the world of modern music, as well as the fame and the price that must be paid for it. Dominic West plays guitarist Kirk Cuddy of the rock band Steel Dragon. The prototype of this character, apparently, is the legendary guitarist Kenneth Downing Jr. ("KK") - one of the founders of Judas Priest, who left the band in 2011
SeriesThe Wire (2002-2008)
The American television drama takes place in and around B altimore. Its creator is a former crime journalist and writer D. Simon, so the plot is largely based on personal experience, as well as the experience of his friend, who once worked in the homicide department. The series has five seasons, each of which, while maintaining the main storyline, focuses viewers' attention on various areas of the city's life and their relationship with law enforcement agencies. One of the main roles (Detective Jimmy McNulty) is played by Dominic West.
The series did not win any awards, but received high ratings and positive reviews due to its detailed themes, exploration of pressing social and political issues, and realistic depiction of city life.
Punisher: War Zone (2008)
This action-crime action movie is based on Marvel Comics and is their first adult-oriented adaptation. The plot revolves around the anti-hero Frank Castle, who has the nickname "Punisher". Wanting to avenge the death of his children and wife, he kills one of the criminal leaders, while freeing the criminal path for another. Killer Billy Rusotti, played by West Dominic in a fight with the Punisher, receives terrible injuries, but remains alive and takes on the nickname "Jigsaw". Now he wants to take over the whole city, and no one can stop him.
Mini-series "The Hour" (2011-2012)
The British television series The Hour aired on BBC Two. This is a story about journalists working for the BBC in 1956. Every week they prepare and air the news program "Hour", which is broadcast live. The most high-profile political and historical events of the 1950s are closely interconnected with the plot, including the suppression of the uprising in Budapest by the USSR troops, the beginning of the Suez crisis in Egypt, etc. Dominic West plays one of the main roles - the host of the program (respectable Hector Madden).
The series was twice nominated for an Emmy award, as well as for the Golden Globe and BAFTA TV. The project received good reviews from critics, was shown not only in the UK, but also in Sweden, the USA, Canada, Latin America, Australia, Norway. Lead actor Dominic West received his first Golden Globe nomination, as well as the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards.
The Lovers (2014-Present)
Lovers is an American television series that aired its pilot on October 12, 2014 on Showtime, currently renewed for a fourth season. The plot is not trivial, and therefore attracted the attention of the audience, and as a result, the project received a high rating. This is a story told on behalf of two people from different points of view. He (West Dominic) is a simple school teacher who once wrote a book and is now in a creative crisis. He is happily married and has four children. She is a waitresstrying to save her marriage and breathe new life into it after the death of a child.
The actor received 20th Satellite Awards and Satellite Awards for his role as a teacher, as well as a Golden Globe nomination in 2015
Quite interesting and high-profile premieres of projects in which Dominic West takes part are expected soon. Films "The Square" by Swedish director Ruben Östlund and "Lara Croft" by Norwegian Roar Uthaug are planned to be screened in 2017-2018
