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| Handel has generally been accorded high esteem by fellow composers, both in his own time and since.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/01_january/13/composer6.shtml |title=BBC Press Release |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=13 January 2009 |access-date=13 April 2012 |archive-date=27 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127140028/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/01_january/13/composer6.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> ] attempted, unsuccessfully, to meet Handel while he was visiting ].<ref>{{harvnb|Dent|2004|p=23}}</ref> (Handel was born in the same year as Bach and ].) ] is reputed to have said of him, "Handel understands ] better than any of us. When he chooses, he strikes like a thunder bolt."<ref name="YoungMM">{{cite book |last=Young |first=Percy Marshall |url=https://archive.org/details/handel00youn_0 |title=Handel (Master Musician series) |date=1 April 1975 |publisher=J. M. Dent & Sons |isbn=0-460-03161-9 |page= |author-link=Percy Young |url-access=registration |orig-year=1947}}</ref> To ] he was "the master of us all... the greatest composer that ever lived. I would uncover my head and kneel before his tomb."<ref name="YoungMM" /> Beethoven emphasised above all the simplicity and popular appeal of Handel's music when he said, "Go to him to learn how to achieve great effects, by such simple means." | |||
| {{Use British English|date=January 2014}} | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} | |||
| {{Infobox person | |||
| | name = Colin Firth | |||
| | honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|CBE|size=100%}} | |||
| | image = Colin Firth (36124162705) (cropped).jpg | |||
| | caption = Firth at the 2017 ] | |||
| | birth_name = Colin Andrew Firth | |||
| | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1960|9|10}} | |||
| | birth_place = ], ], England | |||
| | citizenship = {{hlist|United Kingdom|Italy}} | |||
| | alma_mater = ] <br /> ] | |||
| | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|producer|screenwriter}} | |||
| | years_active = 1983–present | |||
| | awards = ] | |||
| | works = ] | |||
| | spouse = {{marriage|Livia Giuggioli|1997|2019|end=]}} | |||
| | partner = ] (1989–1994) | |||
| | children = 3 | |||
| | relatives = {{ubl | ] (sister) | ] (brother) }} | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Colin Andrew Firth''' {{postnominals|country=GBR|CBE|size=100%}} (born 10 September 1960) is an English actor. He is the recipient of ], including an ], a ], and two ]. In 2011, Firth was appointed a CBE at ] for his services to drama.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{London Gazette|issue=59808 |date=11 June 2011 |page=7 |supp=y}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Main list of the 2011 Queen's birthday honours recipients|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11_06_11honours_mainlist.pdf|publisher=BBC News UK|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> That same year, he received a star on the ], and appeared in '']'' magazine's ].<ref>, '']'', 21 April 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2012.</ref> | |||
| He was identified in the mid-1980s with the "]" of rising young British actors,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Doctor_Who/OXRBBAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=bruce+payne+brit+pack&pg=PA198&printsec=frontcover |first=Alan |last=Kistler |title=Doctor Who: A History |work=Lyons Press |year=2013 |access-date=20 November 2021 |page=198 |isbn=9781493000166}}</ref> undertaking a challenging series of roles, including leading roles in '']'' (1987), '']'' (1988) and '']'' (1989). His portrayal of ] in the ] of ]'s '']'' led to widespread attention, and to roles in more prominent films such as '']'' (1996), '']'' (1998), '']'' (2001), '']'' (2002), '']'' (2003), ]'s romantic comedy ensemble film '']'' (2003), and the musical comedy '']'' (2008) and its sequel, '']'' (2018) | |||
| In 2009, Firth received international acclaim for his performance in ]'s '']'', for which he won a BAFTA Award and received his first Academy Award nomination. In 2010, his portrayal of ] in ]'s '']'' won him the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-12593902|title= Colin Firth wins best actor Oscar for The King's Speech|work= BBC News|date= 28 February 2011|accessdate= 5 May 2021}}</ref> He subsequently appeared as ] agent ] in '']'' (2011), and as secret agent Harry Hart in '']'' (2014) and its sequel '']'' (2017). He has since appeared in the musical fantasy '']'' (2018), and ]' war film '']'' (2019), and '']'' (2020). He is also known for his performances in television including '']'' (2001), for which he received a ] nomination. He returned to television in ]'s '']'' (2022). | |||
| In 2012, he founded the production company Raindog Films, where he served as a producer for '']'' (2015) and '']'' (2016). His films have grossed more than $3 billion from 42 releases worldwide.<ref name="Box-office">{{cite web|title=Colin Firth's Box Office Stats|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?id=colinfirth.htm|work=The Movie Times|access-date=23 January 2013}}</ref> Firth has campaigned for the rights of indigenous tribal people and is a member of ]. He has campaigned on issues of asylum seekers, refugees' rights and the environment. He commissioned and co-authored a scientific paper on a study of the differences in brain structure between people of differing political orientations.<ref name=BBC-2011-06-05>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13661538|title=Colin Firth credited in brain research|work=]|date=5 June 2011|access-date=13 March 2021}}</ref> | |||
| == Early life == | |||
| Firth was born in the village of ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV7L-3YWD|title=Person Details for Colin A Firth, "England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837-2008" — FamilySearch.org|website=]}}</ref> to parents who were academics and teachers. His mother, Shirley Jean (''née'' Rolles), was a ] lecturer at King Alfred's College (now the ]); and his father, David Norman Lewis Firth, was a history lecturer at King Alfred's and education officer for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firthessence.net/family.htm |title=Actor Colin Firth is perhaps bes |publisher=Firthessence.net |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420040653/http://www.firthessence.net/family.htm |archive-date=20 April 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firthessence.net/firthfile.html |title=Colin Firth's Lineage |publisher=Firthessence.net |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090420065544/http://www.firthessence.net/firthfile.html |archive-date=20 April 2009 }}</ref> Firth is the eldest of three children; his sister ] is an actress and voice coach, and his brother ] is also an actor.<ref>{{cite web|first=Gabrielle |last=Donnelly|url=http://www.firth.com/articles/02realmag_816.html |work=Real Magazine |date= 13 August 2002 |title=Colin Firth |via=Firth.com |access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref> His maternal grandparents were ] ministers and his paternal grandfather was an ] priest. They did overseas ] work, and both of his parents were born and spent part of their childhoods in ].<ref>{{cite web |author=lmw |url=http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/freshair01.html |title=Colin Firth – Fresh Air interview 2001 |publisher=Hem.passagen.se |date=7 May 2001 |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304171007/http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/freshair01.html |archive-date=4 March 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Fresh Air from WHYY |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1506175 |title=British Actor Colin Firth | website=NPR.org |publisher=NPR |access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Karen |url=http://www.firth.com/articles/globeandmail51802.html |title=Globe and Mail – The Other Face of Colin Firth (May 18, 2002) |publisher=Firth.com |date=18 May 2002 |access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref> | |||
| As a child, Firth frequently travelled due to his parents' work, spending some years in ].<ref>Stated in interview on '']'', 2011</ref> He also lived in ], ] when he was 11, which he has described as "a difficult time".<ref name="4 December 2005 DIDs">{{cite web|title= Press Releases Colin Firth Desert Island DiscsCategory: Radio 4 |date= 4 December 2005 |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/12_december/04/did_firth.shtml|work=BBC Press Office releases |publisher= BBC |access-date= 25 January 2013 }}</ref> On returning to England, he attended the Montgomery of Alamein Secondary School (now ]), which at the time was a state ] in ]. He was still an outsider and the target of ]. To counter this, he adopted the local working class Hampshire accent and copied his schoolmates' lack of interest in schoolwork.<ref name="Colin Firth">{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/colin-firth-9295522?page=2,|title=Colin Firth|website=Biography|access-date=6 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121043819/http://www.biography.com/people/colin-firth-9295522?page=2,|archive-date=21 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| Firth began attending drama workshops at age 10, and by 14 had decided to be a professional actor. Until ], he was not academically inclined, later saying in an interview, "I didn't like school. I just thought it was boring and mediocre and nothing they taught me seemed to be of any interest at all."<ref name="4 December 2005 DIDs"/> However, at ] in ], he was imbued with a love of ] by an enthusiastic teacher, Penny Edwards, and has said that his two years there were among the happiest of his life.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fenews.co.uk/fe-news/college-saved-me-reveals-actor-colin-firth |title= College 'saved me', reveals actor Colin Firth |author= Jason Rainbow |date= 15 June 2010 |work= FE News |access-date= 26 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120501234857/http://www.fenews.co.uk/fe-news/college-saved-me-reveals-actor-colin-firth |archive-date= 1 May 2012 |df= dmy-all }}</ref> | |||
| After his ] years, Firth moved to London and joined the ], where he made many contacts and got a job in the ] at the ].<ref name="Colin Firth" /> He subsequently studied at ].<ref name=People>{{cite web|title=Colin Firth|url=http://www.people.com/people/colin_firth/0,,,00.html|work=]|publisher=]|access-date=25 January 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313174039/http://www.people.com/people/colin_firth/0,,,00.html|archive-date=13 March 2013}}</ref> | |||
| == Career == | |||
| === 1983–1995: Early work and breakthrough === | |||
| Playing ] in the Drama Centre end-of-year production, Firth was spotted by playwright ], who cast him as the ], ambitious ] Guy Bennett in the 1983 ] production of '']''. In 1984, Firth made his film debut as Tommy Judd, Guy Bennett's ], ] school friend in the ] (with ] as Guy Bennett).<ref>{{cite web|title=Another Country|url=http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b69a34447|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713182053/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b69a34447|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 July 2012|work=BFI Film|publisher=BFI|access-date=27 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=How we met: Colin Firth & Julian Mitchell|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/how-we-met-colin-firth--julian-mitchell--rupert-everett-was-a-complete-bd-to-me-9202649.html|access-date=14 April 2014 | work=The Independent|first=Adam|last=Jacques|date=23 March 2014}}</ref> It was the start of a longstanding public feud between Firth and Everett, which was eventually resolved.<ref name=Heraldsun2008>{{cite news|last=Fenton|first=Andrew|title=Colin Firth has ended his feud with Rupert Everett|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/movies/firth-class-bully/story-e6frf9h6-1111115901547|access-date=27 January 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=27 March 2008|quote="Everett publicly branded Firth 'boring' and classified him as 'a ghastly guitar-playing redbrick socialist who was going to give his first half-million away to charity'. 'We didn't get along very well the first time we worked together,' Firth says simply. 'I think he was probably terribly threatened because I was an awful lot better than him.'" There is some truth to this because in Everett's 2006 autobiography, the gay actor admits he fancied, and felt threatened by, Firth at the time.}}</ref> He starred with Sir ] in '']'' (1986), a TV adaptation of ]'s novel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2011/10/lose-yourself-with-colin-firth-in-lost-empires|title=Lose Yourself With Colin Firth in 'Lost Empires' {{!}} BBC America|work=BBC America|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> | |||
| In 1987, Firth and other up-and-coming British actors such as ], ] and ], were dubbed the ']'.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Van Poznak|first=Elissa|title=The Brit Pack|magazine=The Face|date=January 1987|issue=81|pages=36–39|url=http://www.agwlbp.com/facejan.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007181058/http://www.agwlbp.com/facejan.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 October 2011|access-date=10 November 2019}}</ref> That year, he appeared with ] in the film version of ]'s '']''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/09/27/movies/film-festival-month-in-the-country-from-director-of-cal.html|title=Film Festival; 'Month in the Country,' From Director of 'Cal'|work=]|last=Maslin|first=Janet|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> Sheila Johnston observed a theme in his early work of playing those traumatised by war.<ref name="ShuaibBFI" /> He portrayed real-life British soldier ] ] in the 1988 BBC dramatisation '']''. Lawrence was severely injured at the ] during the ], and the film details his struggles to adjust to his disability whilst confronted with indifference from the government and public. It attracted controversy at the time, with criticism coming from left and right sides of the political spectrum.<ref name="ShuaibBFI">{{cite web|last=Shuaib|first=Keith|title=Tumbledown (1988)|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/727545/index.html|work=BFI Screenonline|publisher=BFI|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> Despite this, the performance brought Firth a Royal TV Society Best Actor Award, and a nomination for the 1989 ] ].<ref name="BAFTA Television | Actor in 1989">{{cite web|title=Television Actor in 1989|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/1989/television/actor|work=BAFTA Awards|publisher=BAFTA|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> In 1989, he played the title role in ]'s '']'', based on '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Szabo|first=Julia|title=Going Firth Class|magazine=]|date=November 1989|url=http://www.firth.com/articles/89_11mademoiselle.html|access-date=24 January 2013}}</ref> Released just a year after '']'', it did not make a big impact in comparison. That year he also played a paranoid, socially awkward character in the ] psychological thriller '']''.<ref name="Andrew-zero">{{cite web|last=Andrew|first=Geoff|title=Apartment Zero|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/apartment-zero|work=]|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> | |||
| Firth finally became a British household name through his role as the aloof, haughty aristocrat ] in the 1995 ] television adaptation of ]'s '']''. Producer Sue Birtwistle's first choice for the part, he was eventually persuaded to take it despite his unfamiliarity with Austen's writing.<ref name="nyt 01141996">{{cite news|last=Grimes|first=William|title=An Austen Tale of Sex and Money in Which Girls Kick Up Their Heels|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/14/tv/cover-story-an-austen-tale-of-sex-and-money-in-which-girls-kick-up-their-heels.html|access-date=22 January 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=14 January 1996}}</ref> He and co-star ] began a romantic relationship during the filming, which received media attention only after their separation.<ref name=twice_shy>{{cite news |last=Steiner |first=Susie |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/mar/31/features.weekend |title=Twice Shy |work=] |date=31 March 2001 |access-date=20 May 2008}}</ref> Sheila Johnston wrote that Firth's approach to the part "lent Darcy complex shades of coldness, even caddishness, in the early episodes."<ref name=ShuaibBFI/> The series was an international success and unexpectedly elevated Firth to stardom—<ref name=twice_shy /> in some part due to a scene not from the novel, where he emerges from a lake swim in a wet shirt.<ref name="Me Sexy? only to that crazy Bridget Jones">{{cite web|url=http://www.firth.com/articles/03vanfair_italy_oct.html|title=Vanity Fair (Italy), Oct 16, 2003, article on Colin Firth|last=Karen|website=www.firth.com}}</ref> Although he did not mind being recognised as "a romantic idol as a Darcy with smouldering sex appeal"<ref name=nyt_sexy>{{cite news |last=James |first=Caryn |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/movies/29jame.html |title=Austen Powers: Making Jane Sexy |work=The New York Times|date=29 July 2007 |access-date=17 May 2007}}</ref> in a role that "officially turned him into a heart-throb",<ref name=renaissance>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Tom |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/03/1078295440766.html |title=Renaissance man |work=] |date=6 March 2004 |access-date=25 May 2008}}</ref> he expressed the wish not to be associated with ''Pride and Prejudice'' forever.<ref name=ae_magazine>{{cite magazine |last=Passero |first=Kathy |title=Pride, Prejudice and a Little Persuasion |magazine=] Monthly |date=December 1996}}</ref> He was, therefore, reluctant to accept similar roles and risk becoming ].<ref name="Colin Firth" /> | |||
| ===1996–2008: Romance and ensemble films === | |||
| For a time, it did seem as if Mr. Darcy would overshadow the rest of Firth's career, and there were humorous allusions to the role in his next five movies.<ref name="guardian-1-1-2011">{{cite news|last=Petterson|first=John|title=Colin Firth has left his posh acting peers in the dust. Give him the Oscar for The King's Speech now|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/01/colin-firth-kings-speech|access-date=28 January 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=1 January 2011}}</ref> The most notable was his casting as the love interest ] in the ] of '']'', itself a modern-day retelling of ''Pride and Prejudice''. Firth accepted the part as he saw it as an opportunity to lampoon his Mr. Darcy character.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Faillaci |first=Sara |title=Me Sexy? |magazine=] |location=Italy |date=16 October 2003}}</ref> The film was very successful<ref name=BoxofficemojoBJD>{{cite web|title=Bridget Jones's Diary box office|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bridgetjonessdiary.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> and critically well-liked.<ref name="rotten tomatoes BJD">{{cite web|title=Bridget Jones's Diary Reviews top critics|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bridget_jones_diary/reviews/?type=top_critics|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> A ] was mostly panned by critics<ref name="BJDEOR rotten tomatoes">{{cite web|title=Bridget Jones – The Edge of Reason (2004)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bridget_jones_the_edge_of_reason/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=28 January 2013}}</ref> but still financially successful. | |||
| Prior to this, Firth had a significant supporting role in '']'' (1996) as the husband of ]'s character, whose jealousy of her adultery leads to both their deaths. That year he also played the husband of the character of Kristin's sister, ], in the television miniseries '']''. Of the two he said "Serena was a much more faithful wife." He had parts in light ] ] such as '']'' (1998), '']'' (2000) and '']'' (2002). He appeared in several television productions, including ''Donovan Quick'' (an updated version of '']'') (1999),<ref name="Johnston-BFI">{{cite web|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|title=Firth, Colin (1960–)|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/873595/index.html|work=BFI Screenonline|publisher=BFI|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and had a more serious role as Dr. ] in '']'' (2001), concerning the Nazi ], for which he was nominated for a ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/colin-firth|title=Colin Firth|work=Television Academy}}</ref> | |||
| Firth featured in the ensemble all-star cast of ]' '']'' (2003), another financial success<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2003/LVACT.php |title=Love Actually at TheNumbers.com |publisher=The-numbers.com |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref> which divided critics.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wloszczyna |first=Susan |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2003-11-04-curtis-profile_x.htm |title=USA Today review |work=USA Today |date=5 November 2003 |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=A. O. |last=Scott |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9804E3D7153BF934A35752C1A9659C8B63 |title=Tales of Love, the True and the Not-So-True |department=Film Review |work=The New York Times |date=7 November 2003 |access-date=16 August 2011}}</ref> He was also given solo billing as the romantic lead in '']'', but it received very poor reviews<ref>{{cite news|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|title=Hope Springs Our Review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/movie/95120/hope.springs|access-date=29 January 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|quote=It made me want to tumble off the red plush seats, curl up into a foetal ball and mew like a maltreated kitten|date=21 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Anna|title=Hope Springs Review|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/ReviewComplete.asp?FID=8899|work=Empire|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> and made little box-office impact.<ref name=Hopespringsboxoffice>{{cite web|title=Hope Springs box office|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&country=UK&id=hopesprings.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc.|access-date=29 January 2013}}</ref> He played painter ] opposite ] in the 2003 release '']''; some critics praised the film's subtlety<ref name="December 26, 2003">{{cite news|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Girl with a Pearl Earring, December 26, 2003|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/girl-with-a-pearl-earring-2003|work=RogerEbert.com|access-date=30 January 2013|date=26 December 2003}}</ref> and sumptuous visuals,<ref name="McCarthy-09-01-2003">{{cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|title=Girl With a Pearl Earring|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117921673/?categoryid=31&cs=1|work=Variety reviews, Mon, Sep. 1, 2003|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> whilst others found it almost restrained, tedious and bereft of emotion.<ref name="Time Dec. 08, 2003">{{cite magazine|last=Schickel|first=Richard|title=Seven Holiday Treats|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101031215-557084-3,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060928073950/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101031215-557084-3,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2006|magazine=]|access-date=30 January 2013|date=8 December 2003}}</ref> Nevertheless, it received mostly favorable reviews, was moderately successful<ref name="GWPE RT">{{cite web|title=Girl With Pearl Earring (2003) ratings|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/girl_with_a_pearl_earring/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> and earned several awards and nominations. | |||
| ]'' in 2005]] | |||
| In 2005 Firth appeared in '']'' with ], in which he plays a struggling widowed father, it was a rare venture for him into the ] genre.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2005/film/reviews/nanny-mcphee-1200520776/|title=Film Review: 'Nanny McPhee'|last=Felperin|first=Leslie|date=24 October 2005|work=Variety|access-date=17 April 2018}}</ref> He also appeared in '']'', a return to some of his darker, more intense early roles, that included a notorious scene featuring a ] ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3648270/Is-that-Mr-Darcy-taking-part-in-an-orgy.html|title=Is that Mr Darcy taking part in an orgy?|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=26 November 2005|access-date=17 April 2018|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Sheila Johnston wrote that it "confounded his fans", but nonetheless that his character "draws knowingly on that suave, cultivated persona",<ref name="Johnston-26 Nov 2005">{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|title=Is that Mr Darcy taking part in an orgy?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/3648270/Is-that-Mr-Darcy-taking-part-in-an-orgy.html|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=26 November 2005}}</ref> which could be traced from Mr. Darcy. Other films from this time included '']'' (2007) with ] and '']'' (2007) with ]. | |||
| In 2008, he played the adult ] reminiscing on his difficult relationship with his ailing father in the film adaptation of Morrison's memoir, '']'' It received generally favorable reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/when_did_you_last_see_your_father/|title=When Did You Last See Your Father?|date=6 June 2008|publisher=rottentomatoes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/stuck|title=Stuck|website=Metacritic}}</ref> ] of '']'' gave it four out of five stars.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/05/drama.periodandhistorical|title=And When Did You Last See Your Father?|author=Peter Bradshaw|newspaper=The Guardian|date=5 October 2007}}</ref> ] in '']'' said: "It's a pleasure to watch Mr. Firth–a supremely controlled actor who makes each developing fissure visible–show the adult Blake coming to terms with his contradictory feelings, letting the love and the hurt pour out of him."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/06/movies/06fath.html|title=As a Father Nears Death, a Son Grows No Closer|first=Manohla|last=Dargis|date=6 June 2008|work=The New York Times}}</ref> ] of '']'' wrote that Firth " quiet agonising to perfection."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/07/documentary.periodandhistorical|title=All about my father|author=Philip French|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 October 2007}}</ref> However, Derek Elley of '']'' called the film "an unashamed tearjerker that's all wrapping and no center." While he conceded that it was "undeniably effective at a gut level despite its dramatic shortcomings", he added, "Things aren't helped any by Firth's dour perf, as his Blake comes across as a self-centered whiner, a latter-day Me Generation figure who's obsessed with finding problems when there really aren't any."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934468.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0|title=When Did You Last See Your Father?|author=Derek Elley|work=Variety}}</ref> | |||
| The film adaptation of '']'' (2008) was Firth's first foray into ]. He described the experience as "a bit nerve-wracking"<ref name="Metro, Sunday 6 Jul 2008">{{cite web|last=Ivan-Zadeh|first=Larushka|title=Mamma Mia! Firth is a super trooper|url=http://metro.co.uk/2008/07/06/mamma-mia-firth-is-a-super-trooper-249572/|work=Metro, Sunday 6 Jul 2008|publisher=Associated Newspapers Limited|access-date=30 January 2013|date=6 July 2008}}</ref> but believed he got off lightly by being tasked with one of the less demanding songs, '']''.<ref name="HS-July 10, 2008">{{cite news|last=Sutherland|first=Claire|title=Colin Firth talks about the challenges of Mamma Mia!|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/colin-gets-on-song/story-e6frf7jo-1111116874068|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=10 July 2008}}</ref> ''Mamma Mia'' became the highest grossing British-made film of all time,<ref name="Irvine-telegraph-30-10-2008">{{cite news|last=Irvine|first=Chris|title=Mamma Mia becomes highest grossing British film|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3283481/Mamma-Mia-becomes-highest-grossing-British-film.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/3283481/Mamma-Mia-becomes-highest-grossing-British-film.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=30 October 2008|quote=The film has made £66,995,224 in the UK, beating Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> taking in over $600 million worldwide.<ref name=MammamiaBO>{{cite web|title=Mamma Mia! gross|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=mammamia.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc.|access-date=30 January 2013}}</ref> Like ''Love Actually'', it polarised critics, with supporters such as ''Empire'' calling it "cute, clean, camp fun, full of sunshine, and toe tappers",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/mamma_mia/|title=Empire review|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100303025412/http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/mamma_mia/|archive-date=3 March 2010}}</ref> whereas Peter Bradshaw in '']'' said the film gave him a "need to vomit".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2008/jul/10/film.reviews|title=Mamma Mia!|author=Peter Bradshaw|newspaper=The Guardian|date=10 July 2008}}</ref> Carrie Rickey in '']'' described Firth's performance as "the embodiment of forced mirth."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/carrie_rickey/20080718__Mamma_Mia___here_we_go_again_-_this_time_on_screen.html|title='Mamma Mia,' here we go again – this time on screen|work=philly-archives}}</ref> That year, Firth also starred in '']'', which screened at the Rome Film Festival to excellent reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://easyvirtuereview.blogspot.com/|title=Easy Virtue brings British humour to Rome Film Festival|access-date=27 October 2008|agency=Reuters}}</ref> He starred in '']'', which premiered at the ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024123526/http://entertainment.aol.ca/article/qa-colin-firth-talks-genova/339231/ |date=24 October 2008 }}</ref> | |||
| In 2009 he appeared in '']'', an adaptation of ]'s novel, using the ] procedure, playing Scrooge's optimistic nephew Fred.<ref name="03 Nov 2009">{{cite news|title=Colin Firth's discomfort in skin-tight spandex for A Christmas Carol animated movie|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/6489121/Colin-Firths-discomfort-in-skin-tight-spandex-for-A-Christmas-Carol-animated-movie.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/6489121/Colin-Firths-discomfort-in-skin-tight-spandex-for-A-Christmas-Carol-animated-movie.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=30 January 2013|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=3 November 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
| ===2009–2011: Critical success=== | |||
| ] on the set of '']'' in 2009, his most critically acclaimed role to date]] | |||
| At the ] in 2009, Firth received the ] for Best Actor for his role in ]'s directorial debut ''],'' as a college professor grappling with solitude after the death of his longtime partner. His performance earned him career-best reviews and Academy Award, Golden Globe, Screen Actors' Guild, BAFTA, and BFCA nominations; he won the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in February 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8526670.stm|title=Bafta wins for Carey Mulligan and Colin Firth |date=21 February 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=14 February 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Firth starred in the 2010 film '']'' as ], detailing his efforts to overcome his speech impediment while becoming monarch of the United Kingdom at the end of 1936. At the ] (TIFF),<ref name=Evans2010>{{Citation | title = Tom Hooper, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush at The King's Speech premiere at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival | url = http://www.digitalhit.com/galleries/38/539/15 | year = 2010 | author = Evans, Ian | publisher = DigitalHit.com | access-date = 3 August 2011 }}</ref> the film received a standing ovation. The TIFF release of ''The King's Speech'' fell on Firth's 50th birthday and was called the "best 50th birthday gift". On 16 January 2011, he won a Golden Globe for his performance in ''The King's Speech'' in the category of ]. The ] recognised him with the award for Best Male Actor on 30 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8260914/Golden-Globes-2011-Colin-Firth-wins-Best-Actor-as-The-Social-Network-takes-four-awards.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8260914/Golden-Globes-2011-Colin-Firth-wins-Best-Actor-as-The-Social-Network-takes-four-awards.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Golden Globes 2011: Colin Firth wins Best Actor as The Social Network takes four awards|date=17 January 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=14 February 2011|location=London|first=Melissa|last=Whitworth}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
| In February 2011, he won his second consecutive ] at the ],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/feb/13/baftas-2011-the-kings-speech|title=Baftas 2011: The King's Speech sweeps the board|date=14 February 2011|work=The Guardian|access-date=14 February 2011|location=London|first=Mark|last=Brown}}</ref> and received an ] in on 27 February 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/8353278/Colin-Firth-takes-Oscars-crown-as-British-film-proves-mother-knows-best.html# |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303131238/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/8353278/Colin-Firth-takes-Oscars-crown-as-British-film-proves-mother-knows-best.html |archive-date=2011-03-03 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Colin Firth takes Oscars crown as British film proves mother knows best|date=28 February 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=28 February 2011|location=London|first=Anita|last=Singh}}</ref> The film grossed $414,211,549 worldwide.<ref name=kingsspeechboxoffice>{{cite web|title=The King's Speech box office statistics|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=kingsspeech.htm|work=Box Office Mojo|publisher=IMDb.com, Inc.|access-date=23 January 2013}}</ref> | |||
| Firth appeared as senior British secret agent ] in the 2011 adaptation of the ] novel '']'', directed by ] and co-starring ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cinematical.com/2010/08/16/benedict-cumberbatch-joins-tinker-tailor-soldier-spy/ |title=Benedict Cumberbatch Joins 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' |date=16 August 2010 |access-date=4 September 2010}}</ref> It gathered mostly excellent reviews.<ref name=RTTTSS>{{cite web|title=Tinker Tailor Soldier, Spy 2011|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tinker_tailor_soldier_spy/|work=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster, Inc.|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> ''The Independent'' described Firth's performance as "suavely arrogant" and praised the film.<ref name=IndepTTSS>{{cite news|last=Romney|first=Johnathan|title=Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (15)|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy-15-2356404.html|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=The Independent|date=18 September 2011}}</ref> Deborah Young in ''The Hollywood Reporter'' thought Firth got "all the best dialogue", which he delivered "sardonically".<ref name="HRTTSS9 May 2011">{{cite news|last=Young|first=Deborah|title=Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: Venice Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/tinker-tailor-soldier-spy/review/231215|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 May 2011}}</ref> Leslie Felperin in '']'' wrote that all the actors brought their "A game" and Firth was in "particularly ], amusing form."<ref name=Felperinvariety09052011>{{cite news|last=Felperin|first=Leslie|title=Venice Film Festival Review Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy|url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945968/?categoryid=31&cs=1|access-date=3 February 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=5 September 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ===2012–present: Established actor=== | |||
| ] in 2011]] | |||
| In May 2011, Firth began filming '']''—a remake of ], in the part originally played by ]. It was released in the UK in November 2012 and was a financial and critical failure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=intl&id=gambit.htm|title=Gambit (2013) – International Box Office|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gambit_2012/|title=Gambit (2012)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=1 January 2013}}</ref> '']''{{'s}} ] wrote, "Firth starts out homaging Caine with his ] cool but soon defaults to his usual repressed British cold mode",<ref name=Empiregambit>{{cite magazine|last=Newman|first=Kim|title=Empire's Gambit Movie Review|magazine=]|date=November 2012|url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137247|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> whilst ''Time Out London'' called his a "likeable performance", although criticised the film overall.<ref name=Timeoutgambit>{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Trevor|magazine=Time Out London|date=8 November 2012|title=Gambit (12A)|url=https://www.timeout.com/london/film/gambit-2012-1|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> Stephen Dalton in '']'' said, "To his credit, Firth keeps his performance grounded in downbeat realism while all around are wildly mugging in desperate pursuit of thin, forced laughs.<ref name=HRGambit>{{cite magazine|last=Dalton|first=Stephen|title=The Bottom Line Starry art-heist remake is more clumsy sketch than Old Master|magazine=]|date=11 July 2012|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/gambit-film-review-colin-firth-387610|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Gambit 2012|website=]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0404978/|access-date=31 October 2012}}</ref> In 2012, Firth co-founded Raindog Films with British music industry executive and entrepreneur ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nz.linkedin.com/in/geddoherty | title=Ged Doherty | publisher=LinkedIn | access-date=12 June 2016 }}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Its first feature, '']'', for which Firth was co-producer, was released in April 2016.<ref>{{cite news | author=Staff | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2015/dec/09/eye-in-the-sky-watch-the-uk-trailer-for-the-drone-warfare-drama-starring-helen-mirren-and-alan-rickman-video | title=Eye in the Sky: watch the UK trailer for the drone warfare drama starring Helen Mirren and Alan Rickman – video | work=] | date=9 December 2015 | access-date=17 June 2022 }}</ref> | |||
| In May 2013, it was announced that Firth had signed to co-star with ] in ]'s romantic comedy '']'', set in the 1920s and shot on the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/01/colin-firth-woody-allen-emma-stone|title=Colin Firth to star in Woody Allen's next film, alongside Emma Stone|author=Ben Child|newspaper=The Guardian|date=May 2013}}</ref> In 2014, he did his first turn as Harry Hart in the spy action film '']'', which grossed $414.4 million against an $81 million budget.<ref>"Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)". Box Office Mojo. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.</ref> Firth had been announced to voice ] for the film '']'', however he announced his withdrawal on 17 June 2014, saying: "It’s been bittersweet to see this delightful creature take shape and come to the sad realization that he simply doesn’t have my voice".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/06/17/colin-firth-leaving-as-voice-of-paddington-movie-exclusive/|title=Colin Firth leaving as voice of 'Paddington' movie – EXCLUSIVE|first=Anthony|last=Breznican|date=17 June 2014|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref> | |||
| In June 2015, he began filming the story of amateur yachtsman ] in '']'', alongside ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-Filming-new-Donald-Crowhurst-film/pictures-26619491-detail/pictures.html|title=PICTURES: Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz on a Teignmouth film set|work=Western Morning News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630182948/http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/pictures/PICTURES-Filming-new-Donald-Crowhurst-film/pictures-26619491-detail/pictures.html|archive-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> In 2016, Firth reprised his popular role as Mark Darcy in '']'', which fared much better with audiences and critics than the second in the series ("Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason"). He portrayed American editor Max Perkins in '']'', co-starring ] as author ]<ref name="Khomami-06-Nov-2012">{{cite news|last=Khomami|first=Nadia|title=Colin Firth and Jude Law to star in upcoming literary drama Genius|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=6 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|title=Berlin 2013: Colin Firth, Jude Law's 'Genius' Sells Around the World (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/berlin-2013-colin-firth-michael-419160|access-date=11 February 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2 July 2013}}</ref> and based on ]'s biography ''Max Perkins: Editor of Genius''. In 2016 he began filming for ]'s directorial debut '']'', an ] biopic, playing Wilde's friend ].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Grater|first1=Tom|title=Rupert Everett, Colin Firth begin filming Oscar Wilde biopic|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/rupert-everett-colin-firth-begin-filming-oscar-wilde-biopic/5109716.article?blocktitle=Most-popular&contentID=-1|access-date=4 October 2016|work=Screen Daily|publisher=]|date=22 September 2016}}</ref> | |||
| In 2017, he reprised his role as Jamie from 2003's '']'' in the television short film '']'', by original writer and director ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/red-nose-day-love-actually-sequel-what-happened-to-every-character-in-the-comic-relief-special-a3499016.html|title=Red Nose Day Love Actually sequel: what happened to every character in the Comic Relief special | |||
| |date=24 March 2017 | |||
| }}</ref> Also that year, Firth returned as Harry Hart in the sequel '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/11/colin-firth-back-from-the-dead-for-kingsman-2|title=Colin Firth back from the dead for Kingsman 2|work=]|last=Shoard|first=Catherine|date=11 July 2016|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> In 2018, Firth reprised his role of Harry Bright in the sequel to '']'', '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/movies/220110_dominic_cooper_dishes_on_returning_for_mamma_mia_2_it_a_phone_call_i_ve_been_waiting_for/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Dominic Cooper Dishes on Returning for 'Mamma Mia 2': It's 'a Phone Call I've Been Waiting For'|quote=The actor will be joining a slew of big-name stars who are returning to the fun franchise, including Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried and Pierce Brosnan.|author=Zach Seemayer|publisher=]|date=22 June 2017|access-date=12 August 2017}}</ref> That year, he also appeared as William Weatherall Wilkins in the musical fantasy film '']'', starring ] in the title role. He also played British naval commander ] in ]'s '']'', a film about the true story of the ], in which he starred alongside ].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=Colin Firth Joins Emily Blunt in 'Mary Poppins' Sequel (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/colin-firth-mary-poppins-sequel-1201894326/|access-date=24 October 2016|work=Variety|date=10 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-star-submarine-disaster-895855|title=Colin Firth to Star in Submarine Disaster Movie 'Kursk'|work=]|date=25 May 2016|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/lea-seydoux-kursk-submarine-europacorp-colin-firth-1201906726/|title=Lea Seydoux Boards EuropaCorp Submarine Drama 'Kursk' – Berlin|website=]|date=9 February 2017|access-date=5 May 2017}}</ref> In 2019, he had a cameo as British General Erinmore in ]’ World War I film '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-join-sam-mendes-wwi-movie-1917-1197679|title=Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch Join Sam Mendes' WWI Movie '1917'|website=]|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|date=28 March 2019|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328130756/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/colin-firth-benedict-cumberbatch-join-sam-mendes-wwi-movie-1917-1197679|archive-date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Set in 1947 England, Firth starred with ] in '']'' and later in 2020 with ] in '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/film/2018-04-27/colin-firth-and-julie-walters-to-star-in-classic-childrens-adaptation-the-secret-garden/ |title=Colin Firth and Julie Walters to star in classic children's adaptation The Secret Garden |last=Allen |first=Ben |date=17 April 2018 |website=] |access-date=30 October 2020}}</ref> In 2021, he starred in romantic drama film '']'' directed by Eva Husson.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/mothering-sunday-cannes-review-josh-oconnor-odessa-young-naked-1234789626/|title='Mothering Sunday' Cannes Review: Josh O'Connor And Odessa Young Give Their All In Raw, Naked, And Intense British Romantic Drama|first=Pete|last=Hammond|date=9 July 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> In December 2021, he was cast in Sam Mendes' upcoming drama film '']'', starring ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grobar |first=Matt|title='Empire Of Light': Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Crystal Clarke & Tanya Moodie Join Sam Mendes' Searchlight Pictures Drama|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/empire-of-light-adds-colin-firth-toby-jones-crystal-clarke-tanya-moodie-sam-mendes-searchlight-pictures-1234900001/|date=21 December 2021|access-date=25 December 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref> He was seen as Ewen Montagu in '']'', in April 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/warner-bros-postpones-colin-firth-operation-mincemeat-britain-omicron-1235062171/|title=Warner Bros. Postpones U.K. Release of Colin Firth WWII Drama 'Operation Mincemeat' as Omicron Soars (Exclusive)|date=14 December 2021|first=Alex|last=Ritman|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> Firth returned to television in May 2022 starring as Michael Peterson in the HBO production '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-staircase-colin-firth-toni-collette-kathleen-peterson-1235140450/ | title=How 'The Staircase' Brings Kathleen Peterson's Story to Life | website=] | date=4 May 2022 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Writing== | |||
| Firth's first published work, "The Department of Nothing", appeared in '']'' (2000),<ref>{{cite web |author=lmw |url=http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/department_of_nothing.html |title=Colin Firth Career Timeline: Department of Nothing |publisher=Hem.passagen.se |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115214352/http://hem.passagen.se/lmw/department_of_nothing.html |archive-date=15 November 2013 }}</ref> a collection of short stories edited by ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/minisites/nickhornby/books/swta_synopsis.html#swta |title=Nick Hornby |publisher=Penguin.co.uk |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714194350/http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/minisites/nickhornby/books/swta_synopsis.html#swta |archive-date=14 July 2010 }}</ref> and published to benefit the ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/minisites/nickhornby/treehouse/index.html |title=TreeHouse |publisher=Penguin.co.uk |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012223142/http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/minisites/nickhornby/treehouse/index.html |archive-date=12 October 2012 }}</ref> to aid autistic children. He met Hornby during the filming of the original '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/colin_firth_biog/9 |title=Colin Firth Biography |publisher=Tiscali.co.uk |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605155551/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/colin_firth_biog/9 |archive-date=5 June 2008 }}</ref> He contributed to the book ''We Are One: A Celebration of Tribal Peoples'' (2009),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.survivalinternational.org/weareone |title=We Are One |publisher=Survival International |access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref> which explores the cultures, diversity and challenges of indigenous peoples around the world. It features contributions from many Western writers, including ], ], ]; and from indigenous people such as ] and ]. Profits from the book's sale benefit the indigenous rights organisation ]. Firth was an executive producer for the film '']'', featuring Noam Chomsky and ]. It was selected to the 2007 London Film Festival and the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.<ref>''(a) '' Sundance Film Festival website; (b) (c) . (Registration required) at screendaily.com</ref> | |||
| In December 2010, Firth was guest editor on ]'s '']'' programme, where he commissioned research to scan the brains of volunteers (mostly university students) to see if there were structural differences that might account for political leanings.<ref name=BBC-2011-06-05/> The resulting academic paper listed him as an author, along with two ] researchers<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1016/j.cub.2011.03.017 | pmid=21474316 | volume=21 | issue=8 | title=Political Orientations Are Correlated with Brain Structure in Young Adults | year=2011 | journal=] | pages=677–680 | last1 = Kanai | first1 = Ryota |last2=Feilden |first2=Tom |last3=Firth |first3=Colin |last4=Rees |first4=Geraint |author-link4= Geraint Rees| pmc=3092984 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |doi = 10.1038/474423f|title = The voter's grey matter|journal = Nature|volume = 474|issue = 7352|pages = 423|year = 2011|doi-access = free}}</ref> and the science reporter of the BBC Radio 4 ''Today'' programme. For his contribution, professor ] called Firth a 'scientific ambassador' in the field of political neuroscience.<ref name=BBC-2011-06-05/> The study suggested that conservatives had more development in the ], and liberals in the ]. | |||
| In 2012, Firth's audiobook recording of ]'s '']'' was released at ]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505270_162-57428912/colin-firth-lends-voice-to-classic-novel-reading/ |title=Colin Firth lends voice to classic novel reading |work=CBS This Morning |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref> and was declared Audiobook of the Year at the 2013 ].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Audies 2013|url=http://www.audible.com/int/Audie_Awards_2013|access-date=14 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
| == Activism == | |||
| ] and ] at ] in London in 2011]] | |||
| Firth has been a longstanding supporter of ], a ] that defends the rights of tribal peoples.<ref name="survivalinternationalfirth">{{cite web|url=http://www.survival-international.org/news/24|title='Love Actually' star Colin Firth condemns Bushman evictions|work=Survival International|access-date=27 February 2007}}</ref> Speaking in 2001, he said, "My interest in tribal peoples goes back many years ... and I have supported ever since."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.survival-international.org/news/audio|title=Audio|work=Survival International|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404050337/http://www.survival-international.org/news/audio|archive-date=4 April 2008}}</ref> In 2003, during the promotion of '']'', he spoke in defence of the tribal people of ], condemning the Botswana government's eviction of the ] (San) from the ]. He said of the San, "These people are not the remnants of a past era who need to be brought up to date. Those who are able to continue to live on the land that is rightfully theirs are facing the 21st century with a confidence that many of us in the so-called developed world can only envy."<ref name="survivalinternationalfirth" /> He has also backed a Survival International campaign to press the Brazilian government to take more decisive action in defence of the ], whose land and livelihood is critically threatened by the actions of loggers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/22/brazil-rainforest-awa-endangered-tribe |title='They're killing us': world's most endangered tribe cries for help|last=Chamberlain|first=Gethin|work=The Guardian|date=22 April 2012|access-date=22 April 2012}}</ref> | |||
| As a supporter of the ], Firth was involved in a campaign to stop the ] of a group of 42 Congolese ], expressing concerns in open letters to ''The Independent'' and ''The Guardian'' that they faced being murdered on their return to the ].<ref name=Guardian260207>{{cite news|last=Firth|first=Colin|title=Britain's shameful deportations of asylum seekers|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/feb/26/immigration.congo|access-date=2 February 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|date=26 February 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Colin Firth|title=We must stop a deportation that is likely to end in murder|url=http://comment.independent.co.uk/letters/article2305539.ece|work=The Independent|date=26 February 2007|access-date=27 February 2007|location=London|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228104940/http://comment.independent.co.uk/letters/article2305539.ece|archive-date=28 February 2007}}</ref><ref name=RefCoun,270207>{{cite web|title=Colin Firth voices outrage at deportations to Congo|url=http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/archive/news/2007/february/26022007|work=Refugee Council, 27 February 2007|publisher=Refugee Council|access-date=2 February 2013}}{{Dead link|date=September 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Firth said: "To me, it's just basic civilisation to help people. I find this incredibly painful to see how we dismiss the most desperate people in our society. It's easily done. It plays to the tabloids, to the ] ]. It just makes me furious. And all from a government we once had such high hopes for".<ref>{{cite news|author=Andrew Johnson|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article2305575.ece|title=Colin Firth makes plea for nurse 'facing murder' in Congo|work=The Independent|date=26 February 2007|access-date=27 February 2007|location=London|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228112359/http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article2305575.ece|archive-date=28 February 2007}}</ref> Four of the asylum seekers were given last-minute reprieves from deportation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Firth's intervention saves nurse from deportation|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article2308458.ece|work=The Independent|date=27 February 2007|access-date=27 February 2007|location=London|author=Damian Spellman|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302121337/http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article2308458.ece|archive-date=2 March 2007}}</ref> | |||
| Firth, along with other celebrities, has been involved in the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efi-news.com/2011/11/kings-speech-star-to-auction-himself.html|title=The King's Speech Star to Auction Himself for Charity|work=EF News International|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222204429/http://www.efi-news.com/2011/11/kings-speech-star-to-auction-himself.html|archive-date=22 December 2011}}</ref> global campaign ], focusing on trade practices considered especially unfair to third-world producers, including dumping, high import tariffs, and labour rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maketradefair.com/en/index.php?file=dumped_colin.htm|title=Make Trade Fair|work=Oxfam International|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707064330/http://www.maketradefair.com/en/index.php?file=dumped_colin.htm|archive-date=7 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oxfam.org/en/news/pressreleases2005/pr051212_bignoise|title=Celebrities present 18 million-strong Make Trade Fair petition to World Trade boss in Hong Kong|work=Oxfam International|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202145352/http://www.oxfam.org/en/news/pressreleases2005/pr051212_bignoise|archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firth.com/articles/05indep_716.html|title=Colin Firth Profile in the Independent|publisher=firth.com}}</ref> He and some collaborators opened Eco, an eco-friendly shop in West London,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article2856825.ece|title=Colin Firth's New Eco-Store|work=]|location=London|author=Lisa Grainger|date=17 November 2007|access-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> which offers fair-trade and eco-friendly goods, and expert advice on making spaces more energy efficient. In October 2009, at the ], he launched a film and political activism website, Brightwide (since decommissioned), with his wife Livia.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220013054/http://www.brightwide.com/ |date=20 February 2010 }} web site. Meanwhile, out of service. Retrieved 15 July 2015</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2009/sep/22/colin-firth-oscars|title=The Rebirth of Colin Firth|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=22 September 2009|access-date=30 April 2010|author=Adam Dawtrey}}</ref> | |||
| During the ], Firth announced his support for the ], having previously been a ] supporter, citing asylum and refugees' rights as key reasons for the change.<ref>{{cite web|last=Backers|first=Celebrity|url=http://www.libdemvoice.org/colin-firth-18389.html|title=Colin Firth on why he's stopped voting Labour and now supports the Lib Dems|publisher=Libdemvoice|date=16 March 2010|access-date=3 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505023945/http://www.libdemvoice.org/colin-firth-18389.html|archive-date=5 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2010, he publicly dropped his support of the Liberal Democrats, citing their U-turn on ], and said that he was currently unaffiliated.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/dec/14/colin-firth-no-longer-support-liberal-democrats|location=London| work=The Guardian|first=Patrick|last=Wintour|title=Colin Firth: I no longer support the Liberal Democrats|date=14 December 2010}}</ref> He appeared in literature supporting changing the British electoral system from ] to ] for electing members of parliament to the ], in the unsuccessful ] in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12950712|title= Benjamin Zephaniah 'airbrushed from Yes to AV leaflets'|work=BBC News|date=3 April 2011}}</ref> | |||
| In 2009, he joined the ] project, supporting the movement calling for people to reduce their carbon footprints. In 2010, he endorsed the "Roots & Shoots"<ref> Roots & Shoots</ref> education programme in the UK run by the ]. | |||
| ==Personal life== | |||
| ] | |||
| In 1989, Firth began a relationship with ], his co-star in ''Valmont''. Their son, William Joseph Firth, was born in 1990.<ref>{{ cite web|title=William Joseph Firth(1990)|url=http://www.williamjosephfirth.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709002252/http://www.williamjosephfirth.com/|archive-date=9 July 2015}}</ref> William is now also an actor, appearing with his father in '']'' in 2016. The family moved to the ] of ], Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colin Firth And The Story Of The Canadian Son He Had While Living In A Cabin In The Woods In B.C. |url=http://www.littleredumbrella.com/2011/02/colin-firth-and-story-of-canadian-son.html |access-date=2022-04-08}}</ref> Firth's acting career slowed until they broke up in 1994 and he returned to the UK.<ref name=BFIbiog>{{cite web|last=Johnston|first=Sheila|title=Firth, Colin (1960–)|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/873595/index.html|work=BFI Screenonline|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref> | |||
| During the filming of ''Pride and Prejudice'', Firth and co-star ] began a romantic relationship, which received media attention only after their separation.<ref name=twice_shy/> | |||
| In 1997 Firth married ] producer Livia Giuggioli.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,465976,00.html|last=Steiner|first=Susie|title=Twice Shy|work=]|date=31 March 2001|access-date=20 May 2008|location=London}}</ref> They have two sons, Luca and Matteo.<ref name="Colin Firth"/> Firth speaks fluent Italian.<ref>{{cite web|title=Colin Firth, in Italian, on the Differences Between British, American and Canadian Actors/Part 2|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7THu1KM96k| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/r7THu1KM96k| archive-date=28 October 2021|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The family divided their time between Wandsworth, in London, and ], ].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eden|first1=Richard|title=Colin Firth's wife Livia refuses to let the sun set on her eco dream|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9336116/Colin-Firths-wife-Livia-refuses-to-let-the-sun-set-on-her-eco-dream.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9336116/Colin-Firths-wife-Livia-refuses-to-let-the-sun-set-on-her-eco-dream.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=23 April 2015|work=]|date=17 June 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=O'Ceallaigh|first1=John|title=Livia Firth's traveling life|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/206/livia-firths-travelling-life.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140609061225/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/206/livia-firths-travelling-life.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 June 2014|access-date=23 April 2015|work=]|date=30 November 2012}}</ref> They announced their separation in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Reuters Staff|date=13 December 2019|title='Bridget Jones' actor Colin Firth and wife split after 22 years|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-colin-firth-idUSKBN1YH2HP|access-date=10 May 2021}}</ref> They had gone through a private separation several years prior, but had reconciled.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colin Firth and Livia Giuggioli announce separation after 22 years of marriage |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2019/12/13/colin-firth-wife-livia-giuggioli-split-after-22-year-marriage/2639377001/|access-date=6 February 2021 |work=USA Today }}</ref> | |||
| Firth was a vocal opponent of the ] initiative for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union. Following the referendum's passage, and the ensuing uncertainty over rights of non-EU citizens, he applied for "dual citizenship (British and Italian)" in 2017 to "have the same passports as his wife and children".<ref>{{cite news|title=British actor Colin Firth gets Italian citizenship after Brexit vote|url=http://www.muslimglobal.com/2017/09/british-actor-colin-firth-gets-italian.html|access-date=24 September 2017|publisher=Muslim Global}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/23/colin-firth-applies-italian-citizenship/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/23/colin-firth-applies-italian-citizenship/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Colin Firth applies for Italian citizenship|last=Squires|first=Nick|date=23 May 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The ], ], announced Firth's application had been approved on 22 September 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/09/23/british-star-colin-firth-becomes-italian-citizen-following-brexit-decision.html|title=British star Colin Firth becomes Italian citizen following Brexit decision|date=23 September 2017|publisher=Fox News Channel|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref> Firth said, "I will always be extremely British (you only have to look at or listen to me)."<ref>{{cite news|title=Colin Firth becomes Italian citizen amid 'uncertainty' but says he will always be 'extremely British'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/23/colin-firth-becomes-italian-citizen-amid-uncertainty-says-will/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/23/colin-firth-becomes-italian-citizen-amid-uncertainty-says-will/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|agency=The Telegraph|date=30 April 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> | |||
| In 2011, after winning the Academy Award for his portrayal of King George VI in ''The King's Speech'', Firth suggested that he may be a ] (anti-monarchist) in a ] interview with ], saying that voting was "one of his favourite things" and that unelected institutions were "a problem for him".<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 July 2011|title='Piers' Preview: 'King's Speech' star Firth 'likes voting'; unelected institutions 'a problem' – Piers Morgan – CNN.com Blogs|url=https://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/17/piers-preview-kings-speech-star-firth-likes-voting-british-monarchy-a-problem-for-me/|access-date=21 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722200045/https://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/02/17/piers-preview-kings-speech-star-firth-likes-voting-british-monarchy-a-problem-for-me/|archive-date=22 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=28 January 2011|title=People: 'King's Speech's' Colin Firth is an anti-monarchist|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2011/01/28/people-kings-speechs-colin-firth-is-an-anti-monarchist/|access-date=21 November 2020|website=The Denver Post}}</ref> | |||
| ==Acting credits and awards== | |||
| {{main|List of Colin Firth performances|List of awards and nominations received by Colin Firth}} | |||
| Firth has received numerous awards, including an ], ], ], and ] for his performance as ] in ]'s historical drama '']'' (2010). | |||
| He received an ] on 19 October 2007 from the ].<ref>{{cite web|title=Colin Firth Receives Honorary Degree|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/10/26/colin_firth_receives_honorary_degree_|work=starpulse|date=26 October 2007|access-date=6 July 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205930/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2007/10/26/colin_firth_receives_honorary_degree_|archive-date=29 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Colin Firth – Honorary speech 2007 Graduation at University of Winchester|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU9tbErYcoY| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727075423/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SU9tbErYcoY| archive-date=27 July 2013|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> On 13 January 2011, he was presented with the 2,429th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|title=Colin Firth wins a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame|date=14 January 2011|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/14/colin-firth-star-walk-of-fame|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031061056/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/jan/14/colin-firth-star-walk-of-fame|archive-date=31 October 2013|location=London|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2011, '']'' included him in its list of the World's 100 Most Influential People.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066448,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425094004/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2066367_2066369_2066448,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 April 2011|title=The 2011 Time 100|date=21 April 2011|magazine=Time|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> He was made a ] of the ] on 8 March 2012,<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313022625/http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/media_centre/news_2012/colin_firth_freeman.htm |date=13 March 2012 }} 1 March 2012, News release at City of London website</ref> and was awarded an ] by the ] in 2012.<ref> – website of the ]</ref> | |||
| Firth was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to drama.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Main list of the 2011 Queen's birthday honours recipients|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11_06_11honours_mainlist.pdf|publisher=BBC News UK|access-date=11 June 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| {{Portal|Biography}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{commons}} | |||
| * {{IMDb name|0000147}} | |||
| * {{Screenonline name|873595|Colin Firth}} | |||
| * {{Allrovi person|23590}} | |||
Latest revision as of 19:57, 16 June 2024
Handel has generally been accorded high esteem by fellow composers, both in his own time and since. Johann Sebastian Bach attempted, unsuccessfully, to meet Handel while he was visiting Halle. (Handel was born in the same year as Bach and Domenico Scarlatti.) Mozart is reputed to have said of him, "Handel understands affect better than any of us. When he chooses, he strikes like a thunder bolt." To Beethoven he was "the master of us all... the greatest composer that ever lived. I would uncover my head and kneel before his tomb." Beethoven emphasised above all the simplicity and popular appeal of Handel's music when he said, "Go to him to learn how to achieve great effects, by such simple means."
- "BBC Press Release". Bbc.co.uk. 13 January 2009. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2012.
- Dent 2004, p. 23 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFDent2004 (help)
- ^ Young, Percy Marshall (1 April 1975) . Handel (Master Musician series). J. M. Dent & Sons. p. 177. ISBN 0-460-03161-9.