Born: December 16, 1947 – Died: August 18, 2020
Ben Cross, born Harry Bernard Cross in Paddington, London, emerged from humble beginnings to become a shining star in the acting world. His mother, Catherine O'Donovan, was a cleaning woman from Dunmanway, Ireland, and his father, Harry Cross, worked as an English doorman and nurse. Ben's early exposure to acting in grammar school plays, most notably portraying Jesus at age twelve, marked the beginning of his lifelong passion for the stage and screen.
Early Life and Career
Ben left home at 15, taking on various jobs, including window washing and carpentry, before his career in acting took flight. His dedication led him to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) at age 22, laying the foundation for a remarkable career. His early stage performances included roles in "Macbeth" and "The Importance of Being Earnest," and he was part of the Prospect Theatre Company, performing in plays like "Pericles" and "Twelfth Night."
Ben's first significant screen role came in "A Bridge Too Far" (1977), but it was his portrayal of Harold Abrahams in the critically acclaimed "Chariots of Fire" (1981) that catapulted him to international stardom. This role, along with his performances in the Masterpiece Theatre miniseries "The Citadel" and HBO's "The Far Pavilions," solidified his position as a versatile and respected actor. He received several accolades throughout his career and was known for selecting roles that resonated with quality over monetary gain.
Off the screen, Ben was also a director, writer, and musician, contributing to the arts in various forms. His personal life saw him residing in several countries, engaging with different cultures and languages, and expressing his creativity through music and writing.
Ben Cross's legacy in the entertainment industry is marked by his ability to bring complex characters to life and his dedication to his craft. His journey from a grammar school stage to international acclaim is a testament to his talent, determination, and the lasting impact he made on Hollywood and beyond.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Prey for the Devil | Cardinal Matthews |
| 2021 | The Last Letter from Your Lover | Older Anthony O'Hare |
| 2020 | The Rest Is Ashes | Old George Smith |
| 2019 | Wildlings | Mr. Kane |
| 2019 | Once There Was a War | Unknown |
| 2019 | Jarhead: Law of Return (Video) | USMC General Betz |
| 2019 | Pandora (TV Series) | Harlan Fried |
| 2018 | 12 Monkeys (TV Series) | Nicodemus |
| 2018 | Reign of Judges: Title of Liberty - Concept Short (Short) | King Aaron |
| 2018 | The Hurricane Heist | Dixon |
| 2015 | Lilly and the Magic Pearl | Narrator |
| 2014–2015 | Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (TV Series) | The Sorcerer (voice) |
| 2015 | Viking Quest (TV Movie) | King Orn |
| 2013–2014 | Banshee Origins (TV Series) | Mr. Rabbit |
| 2014 | Alt Love Building | Mr. Anderson |
| 2013–2014 | Banshee (TV Series) | Mr. Rabbit |
| 2012–2013 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TV Series) | Dr. Mindstrong (voice) |
| 2013 | A Common Man | DIG |
| 2013 | Jack the Giant Killer | Agent Hinton |
| 2012 | Black Forest (TV Movie) | Cazmar |
| 2011 | Hawthorne (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 2011 | William & Kate (TV Movie) | Prince Charles |
| 2011 | Super Tanker (TV Movie) | Robert Jordan |
| 2011 | Ice (TV Mini Series) | Stephan |
| 2010 | Ben Hur (TV Mini Series) | Emperor Tiberius |
| 2010 | The Guardian (Short) | Sergeant |
| 2009 | Hellhounds (TV Movie) | King Leander |
| 2009 | Star Trek | Sarek |
| 2008 | Lost City Raiders (TV Movie) | Nicholas Filiminov |
| 2008 | War, Inc. | Medusa Hair |
| 2008 | Hero Wanted | Cosmo Jackson |
| 2007 | Species: The Awakening (TV Movie) | Tom |
| 2007 | Finding Rin Tin Tin | Nikolaus |
| 2007 | When Nietzsche Wept | Josef Breuer |
| 2007 | Grendel (TV Movie) | King Hrothgar |
| 2006 | Wicked Little Things | Aaron Hanks |
| 2006 | Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial (TV Mini Series) | Rudolf Hess |
| 2006 | Hannibal (TV Movie) | Fabius Maximus |
| 2006 | Undisputed 2: Last Man Standing (Video) | Steven Parker |
| 2006 | S.S. Doomtrooper (TV Movie) | Professor Ullman |
| 2006 | Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil (Video) | Cmdr. Tim Mackey |
| 2005 | The Russian Specialist | William Burton |
| 2005 | Icon (TV Movie) | Anatoly Grishin |
| 2004 | Exorcist: The Beginning | Semelier |
| 2004 | Spartacus (TV Mini Series) | Glabrus |
| 2003 | Red Phone 2 (TV Movie) | Nigel Ballister |
| 2003 | Trial & Retribution (TV Series) | DS Taylor Matthews | Det. Sgt. Taylor Matthews |
| 2002 | The Red Phone: Manhunt (TV Movie) | Nigel Ballister |
| 2002 | She Me and Her | David Greenbaum |
| 2001 | The Order | Ben Ner |
| 2001 | Young Blades | Cardinal Richelieu |
| 2000 | The Potato Factory (TV Mini Series) | Ikey Solomon | Reuban Reuban |
| 2000 | The Sands of Time (TV Movie) | Michael Shannon | Zadick |
| 1999 | The Venice Project | Rudy Mestry | Bishop Orsini |
| 1997 | Solomon (TV Mini Series) | Solomon |
| 1997 | The Invader | Renn |
| 1997 | The Corporate Ladder | Jay Williams |
| 1997 | 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (TV Movie) | Captain Nemo |
| 1997 | Turbulence | Captain Sam Bowen |
| 1996 | El último viaje de Robert Rylands | Cromer |
| 1996 | Poltergeist: The Legacy (TV Series) | Samuel Warden |
| 1995 | The House That Mary Bought (TV Movie) | Malcolm Close |
| 1995 | First Knight | Prince Malagant |
| 1995 | Temptress | Dr. Samudaya |
| 1995 | Hellfire (TV Movie) | Marius Carnot |
| 1994 | Honey Sweet Love... | Pearson |
| 1994 | *The Ascent* | Major Farrell |
| 1993 | The Criminal Mind | Carlo Augustine |
| 1993 | Cold Sweat | Mark Cahill |
| 1993 | Les audacieux (TV Movie) | Campagna |
| 1993 | Embrasse-moi vite! (TV Movie) | Ken MacFerson |
| 1992 | Tales from the Crypt (TV Series) | Benjamin A. Polosky |
| 1992 | The Diamond Fleece (TV Movie) | Rick Dunne | Alex Breuer |
| 1992 | Live Wire | Mikhail Rashid |
| 1992 | The Ray Bradbury Theater (TV Series) | Ettil Vyre |
| 1991 | Eye of the Widow | Nassiri |
| 1991 | She Stood Alone (TV Movie) | William Lloyd Garrison |
| 1991 | Dark Shadows (TV Series) | Barnabas Collins |
| 1989 | Nightlife (TV Movie) | Vlad |
| 1989 | Twist of Fate (TV Mini Series) | Israeli Brig. Gen. Benjamin Grossman |
| 1988 | The Jeweller's Shop | Stephane |
| 1988 | Paperhouse | Dad |
| 1988 | Steal the Sky (TV Movie) | Munir Redfa |
| 1988 | The Unholy | Father Michael |
| 1986 | Strong Medicine (TV Movie) | Martin Taylor |
| 1986 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Frederick (segment "Devil's Alphabet") |
| 1985 | The Assisi Underground | Padre Rufino |
| 1985 | The Lie | Alberto |
| 1984 | The Far Pavilions (TV Mini Series) | Ash |
| 1983 | What the Dickens! (TV Movie) | Charles Dickens |
| 1983 | The Citadel (TV Mini Series) | Dr. Andrew Manson |
| 1982 | Coming Out of the Ice (TV Movie) | Gen. Tuchachevsky |
| 1982 | Play for Today (TV Series) | Simon |
| 1981 | The Flame Trees of Thika (TV Mini Series) | Ian |
| 1981 | Vangelis: Chariots of Fire (Music Video) | Harold Abrahams |
| 1981 | *Chariots of Fire* | Harold Abrahams |
| 1980 | The Professionals (TV Series) | Stuart |
| 1979 | ITV Playhouse (TV Series) | Terry Jones |
| 1979 | Strangers (TV Series) | Nick Carmos |
| 1977 | Lifeline to Cathy (Short) | Unknown |
| 1977 | *A Bridge Too Far* | Trooper Binns |
| 1974 | Great Expectations (TV Movie) | Gentleman at Ball |
| 1973 | Wessex Tales (TV Mini Series) | Matthaus Tina |
| 1972 | The Reprieve (Short) | Bolshevik |
General:
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