Mark Strong

Mark Strong (born 30 August 1963) is an English actor, best known for playing roles in the 2000s films Body of Lies, Syriana, The Young Victoria, Sherlock Holmes, RocknRolla, Stardust, and Kick-Ass. He often depicts villains or antagonists, such as Lord Blackwood in Sherlock Holmes and Sir Godfrey in Robin Hood.

Early lifeStrong was born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia in London to an Italian father and an Austrian mother.^[1] He was raised Roman Catholic.^[2] His English name is not a stage name; it was changed by deed poll by his mother when he was a boy to help him fit in with his peers.^[3] He speaks fluent German and some Italian.^[4][5] Strong attended Wymondham College in Norfolk. His original ambition was to become a lawyer, but after studying for a year at University in Munich, Germany he decided to change his direction in life and returned home to London.^[6] There, he studied English and Drama at Royal Holloway, and later attended Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.^[7][8]

Career

Strong is a familiar face on British television and has appeared in such drama series as two Prime Suspect serials for ITV: as Inspector (later Detective Chief Superintendent) Larry Hall in Prime Suspect 3 (1993) and Prime Suspect 6 (2003). He also had starring roles in two BBC Two drama serials, Our Friends in the North (1996) and The Long Firm (2004) for which he earned a BAFTA nomination, and also played the villainous Colonel Brand in Sharpe's Mission (1996). He played the romantic lead, Mr. Knightley, in the ITV adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma, with Kate Beckinsale in the title role.

In film, one of Strong's roles was Steve in the 1997 adaptation of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch, co-starring opposite Colin Firth, and Strong also features in Roman Polanski's 2005 version of Oliver Twist. He played Mussawi in the film Syriana, and in 2005 appeared in Revolver, where he played Sorter, a nerveless, steely assassin "who never misses". In 2006, Strong portrayed the traitorous Wictred in Tristan & Isolde, showing his talent with swordplay. The following year he played Pinbacker in the science-fiction film Sunshine. He had to spend six hours a day in makeup to get Pinbacker's scars. Coincidentally, Strong appeared in a 1999 film also entitled Sunshine.

He got down to the last two considered for the part of Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem's role) in No Country for Old Men, but despite the persistence of rumours he was never offered the part.^[9] In Body of Lies, he played Hani Salaam, head of Jordanian Intelligence. In most of Strong's films he is virtually unrecognizable because he changes his look for each character; in Stardust and Tristan + Isolde, he has long hair, in RocknRolla and The Long Firm he sports a receding hairline, in Kick-Ass he is completely bald whilst in Body of Lies and Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day he has a full head of hair. His characters in Low Winter Sun, Heartlands and Fever Pitch, however, most resemble his true self.

In his theatre career, Strong was nominated in 2003 for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role for his role in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at the Donmar Warehouse in 2002. He has a lead part in the Channel 4 film Endgame (2009).^[10]

Since 2006, Strong has provided the narration in the BBC genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are?.

In Sherlock Holmes, he plays Lord Blackwood, the main antagonist. Strong will play Sinestro in the upcoming 2011 superhero film, Green Lantern.^[11]

Filmography

1. Black Thirst (2011) (pre-production) (rumored)
   
2. John Carter of Mars (2012) (post-production) .... Matai Shang
   
3. Green Lantern (2011) (post-production) .... Sinestro
   
4. The Guard (2011) (post-production) .... Clive Cornell
   
5. The Eagle (2010) (completed) .... Guern
   
6. The Way Back (2010) .... Khabarov
   
7. Robin Hood (2010) .... Godfrey
   
8. Kick-Ass (2010) .... Frank D'Amico
   
9. Sherlock Holmes (2009) .... Lord Blackwood
   
10. The Odds (2009)
    
11. The Young Victoria (2009) .... Sir John Conroy
    
12. Endgame (2009/I) .... Dr. Niel Barnard
    
13. Body of Lies (2008) .... Hani
    ... aka "World of Lies" - Japan (English title)
    
14. Good (2008) .... Bouhler
    
15. RocknRolla (2008) .... Archy
    
16. Babylon A.D. (2008) .... Finn
    
17. Flashbacks of a Fool (2008) .... Mannie Miesel
    
18. Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) .... Nick Cordorelli
    
19. Stardust (2007) .... Septimus
    
20. Sunshine (2007) .... Pinbacker
    
21. Scenes of a Sexual Nature (2006) .... Louis
    
22. Low Winter Sun (2006) (TV) .... Det Sgt Frank Agnew
    
23. Tristan + Isolde (2006) .... Wictred
    ... aka "Tristan & Isolde" - USA (promotional title)
    
24. Syriana (2005) .... Mussawi
    
25. Walk Away and I Stumble (2005) (TV) .... Andy Spader
    
26. Revolver (2005/I) .... Sorter
    
27. Oliver Twist (2005) .... Toby Crackit
    
28. "The Long Firm" (2004) TV series .... Harry Starks (unknown episodes)
    
29. ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre: Prime Suspect 6 (2003) (TV) .... Det. Chief Supt. Larry Hall
    ... aka "Prime Suspect 6: The Last Witness" - UK (original title)
    
30. Henry VIII (2003) (TV) .... Duke of Norfolk
    
31. Some Place Safe (2003) .... Dad
    
32. It's All About Love (2003) .... Arthur
    
33. Falling Apart (2002) (TV) .... Pete
    
34. Heartlands (2002) .... Ian
    
35. Fields of Gold (2002) (TV) .... Dr. Tolkin
    
36. "The Jury" .... Len Davies (4 episodes, 2002)
    - Episode #1.4 (2002) TV episode .... Len Davies
    - Episode #1.3 (2002) TV episode .... Len Davies
    - Episode #1.2 (2002) TV episode .... Len Davies
    - Episode #1.1 (2002) TV episode .... Len Davies
    
37. Superstition (2001) .... Antonio Gabrieli
    
38. The Martins (2001) .... Doug
    
39. Hotel (2001) .... Ferdinand
    
40. To End All Wars (2001) .... Dusty Miller
    
41. "Anna Karenina" (2000) TV mini-series .... Oblonsky
    
42. Bomber (2000) (TV) .... Col. Chris Forsyth
    
43. Sunshine (1999) .... István Sors
    
44. In the Name of Love (1999) (TV) .... Chris Monroe
    
45. Elephant Juice (1999) .... Frank
    
46. "Births, Marriages and Deaths" (1999) TV series .... Terry (unknown episodes)
    
47. Trust (1999) (TV) .... Michael Mitcham
    
48. Twice Upon a Yesterday (1998) .... Dave Summers
    ... aka "The Man with Rain in His Shoes" - Spain (original title)
    
49. Spoonface Steinberg (1998) (TV) .... Father
    
50. "Band of Gold" .... Mr. Smithson (3 episodes, 1997)
    ... aka "Gold" - International (English title) (third season title), UK (third season title)
    - The Catch: Part Two (1997) TV episode .... Mr. Smithson
    - The Catch: Part One (1997) TV episode .... Mr. Smithson
    - She's Back: Part One (1997) TV episode .... Mr. Smithson
    
51. Fever Pitch (1997) .... Steve
    
52. Emma (1996) (TV) .... Mr. Knightley
    
53. Sharpe's Mission (1996) (TV) .... Brand
    
54. "Our Friends in the North" .... Tosker Cox (9 episodes, 1996)
    - 1995 (1996) TV episode .... Tosker Cox
    - 1987 (1996) TV episode .... Tosker Cox
    - 1984 (1996) TV episode .... Tosker Cox
    - 1979 (1996) TV episode .... Tosker Cox
    - 1974 (1996) TV episode .... Tosker Cox
    (4 more)
    
55. "Kavanagh QC" .... Randall (1 episode, 1995)
    - The Sweetest Thing (1995) TV episode .... Randall
    
56. "Between the Lines" .... David Lacey (1 episode, 1994)
    - A Face in the Crowd (1994) TV episode .... David Lacey
    
57. Captives (1994) .... Kenny
    
58. Century (1993) .... Policeman
    
59. Prime Suspect 3 (1993) (TV) .... Insp. Larry Hall
    
60. "The Buddha of Suburbia" (1993) TV mini-series .... Second TV Producer (unknown episodes)
    
61. "Screenplay" .... Timson (1 episode, 1993)
    - Not Even God Is Wise Enough (1993) TV episode .... Timson
    
62. One Against the Wind (1991) (TV) (uncredited) .... German Soldier
    
63. "Inspector Morse" .... PC Mike Butterworth (1 episode, 1990)
    - Masonic Mysteries (1990) TV episode .... PC Mike Butterworth
    
64. "The Bill" .... P.C. Gibb (1 episode, 1990)
    - A Clean Division (1990) TV episode .... P.C. Gibb
    
65. "After Henry" .... Roger (1 episode, 1989)
    - Wedding Bells (1989) TV episode .... Roger
    

<H5 class=filmo>Self:</H5>

• 2010s
  
• 2000s
  

1. "Who Do You Think You Are?" .... Himself - Narrator (50 episodes, 2006-2010)
   - Alan Cumming (2010) TV episode (voice) .... Himself - Narrator
   - Hugh Quarshie (2010) TV episode (voice) .... Himself - Narrator
   - Jason Donovan (2010) TV episode (voice) .... Himself - Narrator
   - Alexander Armstrong (2010) TV episode (voice) .... Himself - Narrator
   - Rupert Penry-Jones (2010) TV episode (voice) .... Himself - Narrator
   (45 more)
   
2. "Road Warriors" (2010) TV series .... Narrator (unknown episodes)
   
3. "Cinema 3" .... Himself (1 episode, 2010)
   - Episode dated 23 January 2010 (2010) TV episode .... Himself
   
4. "Horizon" .... Himself - Narrator (1 episode, 2010)
   - Why Do Viruses Kill? (2010) TV episode (voice) .... Himself - Narrator
   
5. The Nolans: In the Mood for Dancing (2009) (TV) .... Himself - Narrator
   
6. "First Cut" .... Narrator (1 episode, 2009)
   - My Boyfriend the MI5 Hoaxer (2009) TV episode .... Narrator
   
7. "The Force" (2009) TV series (voice) .... Narrator
   
8. The Gangster and the Pervert Peer (2009) (TV) (voice) .... Narrator
   
9. "Xposé" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2008)
   - Episode #3.44 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
   - Episode #2.240 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
   
10. "Cutting Edge" .... Himself - Narrator (1 episode, 2008)
    - The 9/11 Faker (2008) TV episode (voice) .... Himself - Narrator
    
11. "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" .... Himself (1 episode, 2007)
    - Episode #12.3 (2007) TV episode .... Himself
    
12. The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (2007) (TV) .... Himself
    
13. Love Me, Love My Doll (2007) (TV) .... Narrator
    ... aka "Guys and Dolls" - UK (original title)
    
14. Hotel California: LA from The Byrds to The Eagles (2007) (TV) (voice) .... Narrator
    
15. Death by Sex (2005) (TV) (voice) .... Narrator
    
16. Sex Addict (2005) (TV) (voice) .... Narrator
    
17. 2nd Annual Directors Guild of Great Britain DGGB Awards (2005) (V) .... Himself - Presenter
    
18. Michael Jackson's Boys (2005) (TV) (voice) .... Narrator
    
19. "Richard & Judy" .... Himself (1 episode, 2004)
    - Episode dated 6 July 2004 (2004) TV episode .... Himself
    
20. "Ruby Does the Business" (2004) TV mini-series (voice) .... Narrator
    
21. Happy Birthday BBC Two (2004) (TV) .... Himself
    

YearFilmRoleOther notes1993The Buddha of SuburbiaSecond TV ProducerTV serialPrime Suspect 3Insp. Larry HallTV filmCenturyPoliceman1994CaptivesKenny1996Sharpe's MissionBrandTV filmEmmaMr. KnightleyTV film1997Fever PitchSteve1998Spoonface SteinbergFatherTV filmThe Man with Rain in His ShoesDave Summers1999TrustMichael MitchamTV filmBirths, Marriages and DeathsTerryTV filmIn the Name of LoveChris MonroeTV filmElephant JuiceFrankSunshineIstvan Sors2000BomberCol. Chris ForsythTV filmAnna KareninaOblonskyTV mini-series2001To End All WarsDusty MillerHotelFerdinandThe MartinsDougSuperstitionAntonio Gabrieli2002Fields of GoldDr. TolkinTV filmHeartlandsIanFalling ApartPeteTV film2003Some Place SafeDadshort filmIt's All About LoveArthurHenry VIIIDuke of NorfolkTV serialPrime Suspect 6: The Last WitnessDet. Chief Supt. Larry HallTV film2004The Long FirmHarry StarksTV film2005RevolverSorterOliver TwistToby CrackitWalk Away and I StumbleAndy SpaderTV filmSyrianaMussawi2006Tristan + IsoldeWictredLow Winter SunDet. Sgt. Frank AgnewTV filmScenes of a Sexual NatureLouis2007SunshinePinbackerStardustSeptimus2008Miss Pettigrew Lives for a DayNickFlashbacks of a FoolMannie MieselBabylon A.D..FinnRocknRollaArchyBody of LiesHani SalaamGoodPhilipp Bouhler2009EndgameDr. Niel BarnardThe Young VictoriaSir John ConroySherlock HolmesLord Henry Blackwood2010Kick-AssFrank D'amicoRobin HoodSir GodfreyThe Way BackKhabarovThe Eagle of the NinthGuernThe GuardClive Cornell2011Green LanternSinestro