53-470: Alfred Molina (born Alfredo Molina ; 24 May 1953) is a British and American actor. He is known for his leading roles and character actor roles on the stage and screen. In a career spanning over five decades he has received a Drama Desk Award as well as nominations for two British Academy Film Awards , a British Independent Film Award , an Independent Spirit Award , five Screen Actors Guild Awards , and three Tony Awards . He first rose to prominence in
106-470: A Musical. He received his third Tony Award nomination for Red in 2010, for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play . In 2007, Molina narrated a 17-part original audiobook for Audible.com called The Chopin Manuscript . This serialised novel was written by a team of 15 best-selling thriller writers, including Jeffery Deaver , Lee Child , Joseph Finder and Lisa Scottoline . The novel won
159-710: A cleaner. Molina grew up in a working-class district in Notting Hill that was inhabited by many other immigrant families. He attended Cardinal Manning secondary modern Roman Catholic school there. He decided to become an actor after seeing Spartacus at the age of nine, and attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama , as well as auditioning for and becoming a member of the National Youth Theatre . Molina admitted in May 2024 that his father
212-492: A concert hall (608 seats), a theatre (223 seats) and a studio theatre (up to 128 seats) in addition to drama teaching and administration spaces. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as the Junior Guildhall, a Saturday school serving students from 4 to 18 years of age. The school was awarded a further Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2007 in recognition of the achievements and work of
265-478: A documentary produced by Joseph Kibler (who has been HIV+ and paraplegic since his birth, c. 1989) about Kibler's life titled Walk On , first screened in 2013. When playing the role of Sayyed Bozorg Mahmoody in Not Without My Daughter , Molina was once physically assaulted on his way to a rehearsal by a man who mistook him for the real Mahmoody. Character actor A character actor
318-598: A great big scowling dark cloud." Molina has worked twice with Paul Thomas Anderson , first in Boogie Nights (1997) and then in Magnolia (1999). In 2000, Molina appeared in Lasse Hallström 's Chocolat which received critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Picture nomination. He gained wide recognition for his portrayal of Diego Rivera alongside Salma Hayek in the biopic Frida (2002),
371-476: A long career history of playing character roles may be difficult for audiences to recognize as being the same actor. In contrast to leading actors , they are generally seen as less glamorous. While a leading actor often has the physical attractiveness considered necessary to play the love interest , a character actor typically does not. In fact, some character actors are known for their unusual looks. For example, Chicago character actor William Schutz's face
424-579: A menacing figure because of his "long, angular face", which was easily recognized in public, although audiences rarely knew his name. Character actors can play a variety of types, such as the femme fatale , gunslinger , sidekick , town drunk , villain , hooker with a heart of gold , and many others. Prolific character actors, such as Margo Martindale , are rarely out of work, and they often have long careers that span decades. They are often highly esteemed by fellow actors. Guildhall School of Music and Drama The Guildhall School of Music and Drama
477-787: A particular part or in a certain genre, such that the actor becomes so strongly identified with a particular type of role that casting directors and theatrical agents steer the actor to similar roles. Some character actors are known as "chameleons", able to play roles that vary wildly, such as Gary Oldman and Christian Bale . Many character actors tend to play the same type of role throughout their careers, like Harvey Keitel as tough, determined characters; Christopher Lloyd as eccentrics; Claude Rains as sophisticated, sometimes morally ambiguous men; Abe Vigoda as aging criminals; Fairuza Balk as moody goth girls; Doug Jones as non-human creatures; and Forest Whitaker as composed characters with underlying volatility. Ed Lauter usually portrayed
530-664: A recital room, theatrical workshops and labs, electronic music studios, recording and sound studios, and over 40 teaching and practice rooms. The school also owns the John Hosier Annexe, a nearby building with a further 44 teaching and practice rooms. The Guildhall School library (located within the Silk Street building) houses one of the most extensive specialised collections of music and drama print in Europe. The Guildhall Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform regularly in
583-563: A role for which he gained BAFTA and SAG award nominations. He played himself alongside Steve Coogan in Jarmusch's Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) and gained further commercial recognition when he portrayed Johann Tetzel in Luther (2003) and Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2 (2004), which became one of the highest-grossing films of that year. For the latter, Molina
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#1732771900290636-518: A separate applications procedure and applications are made directly to the school, as opposed to through UCAS Conservatoires. The Milton Court Concert Hall is a 608-seat professional concert venue, with the largest audience capacity of any of the London conservatoires. The school works in association with the Barbican Centre to stage public performances from world-renowned ensembles, such as
689-811: A three-year BA Honours in Acting and the MA in Acting preparing students for the world of professional theatre. The School also delivers the BA Honours in Acting Studies in partnership with the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing. A full time, four-year programme with two years of training at each institution, the BA Honours in Acting Studies takes in a cohort of students every other year, exploring cross-cultural approaches to acting. The School also offers
742-446: A three-year vocational degree in production arts where students can specialise in either Stage Management, Costume, Theatre Technology or Design Realisation. The school is one of a handful to offer specialist training in stage automation, with computer controlled flying installations in three of the venues provided by TAIT, based upon their eChameleon platform. Guildhall School offers a Saturday school for advanced young musicians under
795-482: A variety of characters in their career, often referred to as a "chameleon", or may be known for playing the same type of roles. Character actor roles are more substantial than bit parts or non-speaking extras . The term is used primarily to describe television and film actors, as opposed to theater actors. An early use of the term was in the 1883 edition of The Stage , which defined a character actor as "one who portrays individualities and eccentricities". Actors with
848-634: Is a music and drama school located in the City of London , England . Established in 1880, the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate training in all aspects of classical music and jazz along with drama and production arts. The school has students from over seventy countries. It was ranked first in both the Guardian's 2022 League Table for Music and the Complete University Guide's 2023 Arts, Drama and Music league table. It
901-499: Is also ranked the fifth university in the world for performing arts in the 2024 QS World University Rankings . Based within the Barbican Centre in the City of London , the school currently numbers just over 1,000 students, approximately 800 of whom are music students and 200 on the drama and technical theatre programmes. The school is a member of Conservatoires UK , the European Association of Conservatoires and
954-461: Is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric or interesting characters in supporting roles , rather than leading ones. The term is somewhat abstract and open to interpretation. While all actors play "characters", the term character actor is often applied to an actor who frequently plays a distinctive and important supporting role. In another sense, a character actor may also be one who specializes in minor roles. A character actor may play
1007-580: Is by a highly competitive audition. The School holds auditions for their music programmes in London, New York, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo and from 2021 drama auditions will be held in cities across the UK (including London, Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds and Nottingham) along with international auditions in New York. For the Production Arts course, admission is through interview at
1060-637: The Indiana Jones series. "I'm very, very proud of that, I have to admit I didn't think at the time, 'Oh, this is going to go down in movie history.' I'd never been in front of a camera before," Molina said about his short but memorable appearance in Raiders of the Lost Ark . He recalled getting the job as a "gift from God" and said, "I've publicly thanked Steven many, many times. That job saved my bacon, in more ways than one." About his now-famous line in
1113-514: The Academy of Ancient Music and Britten Sinfonia within Milton Court. In addition to Guildhall's flagship concert hall, the Milton Court building also contains a 223-seat proscenium arch theatre, a flexible 128-seat studio theatre and several rehearsal rooms. The school's Grade II listed Silk Street building houses a 308-seat drama and opera theatre, along with a second smaller concert hall,
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#17327719002901166-712: The HBO movie The Normal Heart (2014), and Robert Aldrich in the FX miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan (2017). His other notable television credits include Meantime (1983), Murder on the Orient Express (2001), and Three Pines (2022). He was born Alfredo Molina in the Paddington district of London. His parents were both immigrants: his Spanish father —from Murcia — was a waiter who had parachuted into France with SOE before D-Day, and his Italian mother worked as
1219-821: The Marvel Cinematic Universe , set to premiere on 17 December 2021. Molina later confirmed that he would actually be reprising his role as the Spider-Man 2 incarnation of Doctor Octopus in No Way Home , retconning his character's apparent death at the end of the former film. He was digitally de-aged to his 2004 self. On 2 September 2021, it was announced that Alfred Molina was set to star in Amazon Prime police drama series Three Pines , which comes from The Crown producer Left Bank Pictures . Molina plays Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of
1272-610: The Sûreté du Québec , the lead character from Louise Penny 's book series (including Still Life , the first entry of the unnamed series), he also serves as executive producer for the show. The trailer came out in October 2022 and the show premiered in December 2022. It was cancelled after one season. In 2024, Molina returned to Broadway playing Professor Serebryakov in a revival of Anton Chekov 's Uncle Vanya (2024). The production
1325-869: The West End , earning a nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer in a Play for his performance in the production of Oklahoma! in 1980. He received Tony Award nominations for his roles on Broadway playing Yvan in Art (1998), Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (2004), and Mark Rothko in Red (2009). He returned to Broadway playing Professor Serebryakov in a revival of Uncle Vanya (2024). On film, he made his debut as Satipo in Raiders of
1378-476: The Wyndham's Theatre in the West End in 2018. In 2010, Molina starred opposite Dawn French in the six-part BBC sitcom Roger & Val Have Just Got In , with a second series in 2012. Molina has three Lego Minifigures modelled after him, namely Doctor Octopus from Spider-Man 2, and Spider-Man: No Way Home , Satipo from Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Sheik Amar from Prince of Persia . In July 2010, it
1431-587: The 2008 Audiobook of the Year Award from Audio Publishers Association. On 1 April 2010, Molina opened at Broadway's John Golden Theatre in the role of artist Mark Rothko in John Logan 's drama Red opposite Eddie Redmayne for a limited engagement through 27 June. He had played the role to much critical success at the Donmar Warehouse in London in December 2009 and revisited that role at
1484-606: The 2014 documentary That Guy Dick Miller ; with a prime example of a "that guy" actor being John Carroll Lynch . Over the course of an acting career, an actor can sometimes shift between leading roles and supporting roles. Some leading actors, as they get older, find that access to leading roles is limited by their age. Sometimes character actors have developed careers based on specific talents needed in genre films, such as dancing, horsemanship, acrobatics, swimming ability, or boxing. Many up-and-coming actors find themselves typecast in character roles due to an early success with
1537-584: The Federation of Drama Schools. It also has formed a creative alliance with its neighbours, the Barbican Centre and the London Symphony Orchestra . Notable alumni of the school include Sir Bryn Terfel , Sir James Galway , Michaela Coel , Daniel Craig and Sir George Martin . The Guildhall School of Music first opened its doors on 27 September 1880, housed in a disused warehouse in the City of London . With 64 part-time students, it
1590-652: The Guildhall Artist Masters in performance or composition and the highly advanced Artist Diploma programme. Students can specialise in classical or jazz performance (either as an instrumentalist or vocalist), composition, historical performance and electronic music. At master's level, vocal students are able to specialise in Opera Studies. In addition to this, the school offers postgraduate degrees in opera writing (in association with The Royal Opera ) and in music therapy. The Guildhall School offers
1643-599: The Iguana (as Shannon) and David Mamet 's Speed-the-Plow (as Fox). In his Broadway debut, Molina performed in Yasmina Reza 's Tony Award -winning play 'Art' , for which he received a Tony nomination in 1998. In 2004, Molina returned to the stage, starring as Tevye in the Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof . For his performance he once again received a Tony Award nomination, this time for Best Actor in
Alfred Molina - Misplaced Pages Continue
1696-611: The Internet (2018), and Frozen II (2019). He is also known for his portrayal of Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus in Sam Raimi 's Spider-Man 2 (2004) and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). On television, Molina has received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for his roles as Ben Weeks in
1749-642: The Lost Ark (1981). He went on to receive two BAFTA Award nominations for his roles as Diego Rivera in Frida (2002), and Jack Mellor in An Education (2009). His other notable films include Prick Up Your Ears (1987), Enchanted April (1992), Boogie Nights (1997), Chocolat (2000), Luther (2003), The Da Vinci Code (2006), and Love Is Strange (2014). He has voiced characters in Rango (2011), Monsters University (2013), Ralph Breaks
1802-627: The Opera Programme. In August 2014, the Guildhall had a logo change to a more minimalist modern style. It was changed due to the school thinking that it needed to reflect its types of teachings. The Guildhall School was awarded taught-degree awarding powers in 2014 by the Privy Council . Doctoral degrees are validated by City, University of London . The Guildhall offers a four-year undergraduate program for musicians along with
1855-583: The age of 18. In addition to this, the school the UK's largest provider of music education to under 18s by incorporating the Centre for Young Musicians (CYM) and creating new music "hubs" in Norfolk and Somerset; the school achieved recognition for Guildhall's music outreach and opera programmes through two Queen's Anniversary Prizes (2005 and 2007). Admission to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
1908-482: The company's artistic director Jack Stehlin . In 2017 he portrayed film director Robert Aldrich in Ryan Murphy 's FX limited series Feud: Bette & Joan . The series revolved around the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? in 1962 and the relationship between actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford played by Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange respectively. Molina received critical praise for
1961-1105: The drama Not Without My Daughter (1991), the science fiction horror film Species (1995), the broad comedy Dudley Do-Right (1999). With a midwestern American accent, Molina starred alongside Betty White in the US television series Ladies Man , which ran from 1999 to 2001. In 1993 he appeared in the BBC miniseries adaptation of A Year in Provence , playing the annoying Tony, along with John Thaw and Lindsay Duncan . In 1995, Molina starred with Marisa Tomei in The Perez Family , playing Cuban refugees who pretend to be married so they can more easily stay in America. Marjorie Baumgarten praised Molina as attaining "the right mixture of gentle honor and baffled stupefaction" to portray his character, although Peter Rainer of Los Angeles Times called Molina "so intensely sodden that he's like
2014-535: The film as well as awards attention received nominations from the Primetime Emmy Awards , and Golden Globe Awards for his performance. In 2020, Molina appeared in David Oyelowo 's drama The Water Man , and Emerald Fennell 's black comedy thriller Promising Young Woman . On 8 December 2020, it was announced that he would be returning as Doctor Octopus for Spider-Man: No Way Home in
2067-498: The film, Molina stated that "I've never had a problem with people coming up to me about it. They'll shout that line to me, 'Throw me the idol, I'll throw you the whip!' I'm delighted that people still remember it." However, his big break came with Letter to Brezhnev (1985), which he followed with a starring role in Prick Up Your Ears (1987), playing Joe Orton 's lover (and eventual murderer) Kenneth Halliwell . He
2120-536: The heart of the City of London's Barbican Centre in 1977 and continues to be owned, funded and administered by the City of London. In 1993, the Corporation of London leased a nearby courtyard of buildings that in the 18th century had been the centre of Samuel Whitbread 's first brewery, and renovated and converted this to provide the school with its hall of residence, Sundial Court . About three minutes' walk from
2173-434: The opening ceremony. Teaching continued under the first principal of the school, Thomas Henry Weist Hill , who eventually had some ninety teaching staff. The new site, designed by the architect Sir Horace Jones , comprised a common room for professors and 45 studios, each surrounded by a one-foot thick layer of concrete to "deaden the sound". Each room contained both a grand piano and an upright piano . Additionally, there
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2226-577: The school's Milton Court building in London, or at the United States Institute of Theatre Technology conference held each year, where prospective students meet and take part in various activities which simulate the teaching offered on the course. In the year 2018/19, the Acting course had 2,610 applications and awarded offers to only 1% of the applicants, giving it one of the lowest acceptance rates for any U.K. higher education institution. Unlike other UK conservatoires, Guildhall operates
2279-621: The school, Sundial Court offers self-catering single-room accommodation for 178 students. In 2001, the Secretary of State, Baroness Blackstone , announced that the Barbican Centre, including the Guildhall School, was to be Grade II listed. In 2005, the school was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for its development and outreach programme, Guildhall Connect, and, in 2007, it won a further Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of
2332-482: The work of the opera programme over the last two decades. The school was rated No. 1 specialist institution in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2013 and 2014. The most significant investment in the Guildhall School's future came to fruition via the £90 million redevelopment of the neighbouring Milton Court site. The new building, which opened in 2013, houses three new performance spaces:
2385-468: Was an organ room and a "practice" room, in reality a small concert hall which was used for orchestral and choir rehearsals. The practice room was also the venue for the fortnightly school concerts Initially, all tuition was on a part-time basis, but full-time courses were introduced to meet demand in 1920. Departments of speech, voice, and acting were added, and by 1935 the school had added "and Drama" to its title. The school moved to its present premises in
2438-615: Was announced that Molina had joined the cast of Law & Order: LA as Deputy District Attorney Morales. He previously guest-starred in a two-part crossover in 2005 in two other Law & Order franchise shows, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Law & Order: Trial by Jury . Molina is a patron of the performing arts group Theatretrain . He is also a longtime member of the Los Angeles theatre company The New American Theatre, formerly known as Circus Theatricals, where he often teaches Shakespeare and Scene Study along with
2491-709: Was directed by Lila Neugebauer and adapted by Heidi Schreck . Molina co-starred alongside Steve Carell , William Jackson Harper , Alison Pill , Anika Noni Rose , and Jayne Houdyshell . He would also play the narrator in the film version of Harold and the Purple Crayon . Molina has a daughter, Rachel, from a previous relationship. In 1986, Molina married actress Jill Gascoine in Tower Hamlets , London. They remained married until her death on 28 April 2020 in Los Angeles from Alzheimer's disease . In November 2019, director Jennifer Lee confirmed that she
2544-590: Was disappointed in him for pursuing a career in acting. At the age of 21, he changed his name to Alfred, at the urging of his first agent. Molina appeared with Leonard Rossiter in the sitcom The Losers (1978). He made his film debut with a minor role alongside Harrison Ford in Steven Spielberg 's adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) as Indiana Jones ' ill-fated guide, Satipo , during its iconic opening sequence. Molina stated in an interview in 2013 that he owes his stage and film career to
2597-549: Was disfigured in a car accident when he was five years old, but his appearance after reconstructive surgery helped him to be distinctive to theater audiences. Generally, the names of character actors are not featured prominently in movie and television advertising on the marquee , since a character actor's name is not expected to attract film audiences. Some character actors have been described as instantly recognizable despite their names being little known. They are colloquially referred to as "that guy", or "that guy" actors, as in
2650-620: Was in a relationship with Molina, and they later married in August 2021. Molina resides in Los Angeles, California. In 2004, he became a U.S. citizen. He is fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and French. In 2017, he moved to La Cañada Flintridge . Molina is an advocate for people with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). He donates towards AIDS research, participates in the Los Angeles AIDS Walk and appeared as himself in
2703-511: Was nominated for a Satellite Award as Best Supporting Actor. He reprised his role in the video game adaptation . In 2006, Molina portrayed Touchstone in Kenneth Branagh 's film version of Shakespeare 's As You Like It and appeared in Ron Howard 's adaptation of The Da Vinci Code . Molina provided the voice of the villain Ares in the 2009 animated film Wonder Woman . Molina's stage work has included two major Royal National Theatre productions, Tennessee Williams ' The Night of
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#17327719002902756-518: Was originally cast as Arnold Rimmer in the TV sitcom Red Dwarf , but was replaced by Chris Barrie . In the early 1990s, Molina was a ubiquitous presence on British television, with his highest profile role being the lead in the first two series of El C.I.D. . He appeared in the critically acclaimed films such as Mike Newell 's costume drama Enchanted April (1992), Richard Donner 's western comedy Maverick (1994), and Jim Jarmusch 's western Dead Man (1995). Subsequent film roles include
2809-406: Was the first municipal music college in Great Britain. The school quickly outgrew its first home, however, and in 1887 it moved to new premises in John Carpenter Street in a complex of educational buildings built by the Corporation of London to house it and the city's two state schools . The new building was completed by 9 December 1886 and the Lord Mayor of London , Sir Reginald Hanson , attended
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