Kenneth Cranham

Kenneth Cranham (born 12 December 1944) is a British actor. He won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in The Father in 2016, after being nominated for An Inspector Calls in 1993.

His notable screen roles were in Oliver! (1968), Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988), Chocolat (1988), Layer Cake (2004), Gangster No. 1 (2000), Hot Fuzz (2007), Maleficent (2014) and Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017). On television he has appeared in Budgie (1972), Shine on Harvey Moon (1982-1985) as the titular lead, Boon (1989), Minder (1993), Rome (2005), War & Peace (2016) and The White Princess (2017).

On stage, Cranham appeared in three Joe Orton plays including the radio and stage premieres of The Ruffian on the Stair and the first successful revival of Loot.

Early life Cranham was born in Dunfermline, Fife, the son of Lochgelly-born Margaret McKay Cranham (née Ferguson) and Ronald Cranham, a London-born civil servant. Cranham trained at the National Youth Theatre and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1966 with a RADA Diploma.

Career Television and film He starred in the title role in the popular 1980s comedy drama Shine on Harvey Moon, prior to which he had appeared as Charlie Collins in A Family at War (1971). He also appeared in Oliver! (1968), Cranham's performance was described as "the performance of his life" by Michael Coveney of WhatsOnStage.com.

Radio For BBC Radio 4's Afternoon Play, Cranham has played DS Max Matthews in The Interrogation by Roy Williams (2012–present) and starred as Thomas Gradgrind in BBC Radio's 2007 adaptation of Dickens' Hard Times.

Honours Cranham was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to drama.

Personal life His first wife was actress Diana Quick. He has two daughters: Nancy Cranham from a relationship with actress Charlotte Cornwell, and Kathleen Cranham with his second wife, to whom he is still married, actress Fiona Victory. Fear and Fear Again (1983) as Franz Kafka Busman's Honeymoon (1983) as Frank Crutchley The Dog It Was That Died (1982) as Hogben Loot as Hal Men of Violence (1979) as Blaze The Ruffian on the Stair (1964) as Wilson Boy Dudgeon (1963) as Boy Dudgeon

He has also performed a number of readings for BBC Radio.

Awards and nominations

Theatre YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.19931993 Laurence Olivier AwardsLaurence Olivier Award for Best ActorAn Inspector Calls 2015Critics’ Circle Theatre AwardBest ActorThe Father 20162016 Laurence Olivier AwardsLaurence Olivier Award for Best Actor