RATINGS: Cast & Crew

DOB: September 10, 1960

Background: Firth was born in England, but spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, where his father was a teacher. In secondary school he wanted to learn guitar, but the school judged it not a serious enough instrument and instructed him to learn the euphonium instead. He later trained as an actor at the Drama Centre London.

Filmography: He was one of several young British actors who came to prominence in the late 1980s, becoming known as the "Brit Pack." He appeared in "Apartment Zero" and played the title role of Milos Forman's "Valmont," based on the French novel "Dangerous Liaisons," but it was his performance as Mr. Darcy in BBC's 1995 adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" that bought him widespread attention. Afterwards he appeared in the Oscar winning films "The English Patient" and "Shakespeare in Love," and later the "Bridget Jones" films, "Love Actually," "The Importance of Being Earnest," "Girl with the Pearl Earring," and "Mamma Mia!". He earned his first Oscar nomination for the drama "A Single Man," in which he played a man mourning the loss of his male lover. He won the following year for playing King George VI in "The King's Speech." This year he will be seen in the spy drama "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy."

Academy Awards: Win - Best Actor ("The King's Speech," 2010)

Best Actor Nomination
"A Single Man" (2009); lost to Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart")

Emmy Awards:

Best TV Movie/Miniseries Supporting Actor Nomination
"Conspiracy" (2001); lost to Brian Cox ("Nuremberg")

Golden Globes: Win - Best Film Drama Actor ("The King's Speech," 2011)

Best Film Drama Actor Nomination
"A Single Man" (2010); lost to Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart")

SAG Awards: Wins - Best Film Ensemble ("The King's Speech," 2011); Best Film Ensemble ("Shakespeare in Love," 1999); Best Film Actor ("The King's Speech," 2011)

Best Film Ensemble Nomination
"The English Patient" (1997); lost to "The Birdcage"

Best Film Actor Nomination
"A Single Man" (2010); lost to Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart")