DOB: December 10, 1960

Background: Branagh is an English actor who was born and raised in Belfast, Ireland, before moving to England with his family at the age of nine to escape the conflict in Northern Ireland. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts.

Filmography: He is well known for his stage work, including several productions of William Shakespeare plays, and he would become known for the same in his film career. His big-screen breakthrough was "Henry V" (1989), which he directed and starred in, earning Oscar nominations for both tasks. He also directed and starred in film versions of "Much Ado About Nothing," "Hamlet," and "Love's Labour's Lost," directed "As You Like It" for HBO and starred in "Othello." He has additionally appeared in Woody Allen's "Celebrity," "Wild Wild West," "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," and "Pirate Radio." He made notable TV appearances in the telefilms "Warm Springs," "Conspiracy," and the "Wallander" detective series. Most recently he directed the superhero movie "Thor" and will co-star in "My Week with Marilyn."

Academy Awards:

Best Actor Nomination
"Henry V" (1990); lost to Daniel Day-Lewis ("My Left Foot")

Best Supporting Actor Nomination
"My Week with Marilyn" (2011); lost to Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")

Best Director Nomination
"Henry V" (1990); lost to Oliver Stone ("Born on the Fourth of July")

Best Adapted Screenplay Nomination:
"Hamlet" (1997); lost to Billy Bob Thornton ("Sling Blade")

Best Live Action Short Nomination:
"Swan Song" (1993); lost to "Omnibus"

Emmy Awards: Win - Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actor ("Conspiracy," 2001)

Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actor Nominations
"Wallander: One Step Behind" (2009); lost to Brendan Gleeson ("Into the Storm")
"Warm Springs" (2005); lost to Geoffrey Rush ("The Life and Death of Peter Sellers")
"Shackleton" (2002); lost to Albert Finney ("The Gathering Storm")

Golden Globes:

Best Film Supporting Actor Nomination
"My Week with Marilyn" (2012); lost to Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")

Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actor Nominations
"Wallander" (2010); lost to Kevin Bacon ("Taking Chance")
"Warm Springs" (2006); lost to Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("Elvis")
"Conspiracy" (2002); lost to James Franco ("James Dean")

SAG Awards:

Best Film Supporting Actor Nominations
"My Week with Marilyn" (2012); lost to Christopher Plummer ("Beginners")
"Othello" (1996); lost to Ed Harris ("Apollo 13")

Best TV Movie/Miniseries Actor Nomination
"Warm Springs" (2006); lost to Paul Newman ("Empire Falls")