Mark Rylance – Big Friendly Giant

Mark Rylance is a British theater, television and film actor, theater director and playwright. He is the first artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe in London (1995-2005). In 2015 he played Thomas Cromwell in the TV series Wolf Hall, adaptation of historical novels by Hilary Mantel. He is known for his friendship and cooperation with film director Steven Spielberg. Mark played the role of Soviet spy Rudolf Abel in his movie Bridge of Spies, as well as a giant in the movie The Big Friendly Giant. Rylance is the winner of numerous film and theater awards, including Oscar for his role as Rudolf Abel and three BAFTAs. During his theatrical career Mark received three Tony awards and two Laurence Olivier Awards. In 2016 Rylance was recognized one of the hundred most influential people in the world by Time magazine.
David Mark Rylance Waters was born on January 18, 1960 in Ashford, Kent. He is the son of English teachers Anne and David Waters. In 1962 they moved to Connecticut and in 1969 to Wisconsin, where David Waters taught at the University School of Milwaukee. Mark entered the school where he joined the school theater. He appeared in numerous school productions. His first major role was in 1976 in the play Hamlet. He also played the role of Romeo in the school play Romeo and Juliet.

Mark got a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he studied from 1978 to 1980. In 1980 he got his first job in Glasgow Civic Theatre. In 1982 and 1983 he performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford-upon-Avon and London.
In 1990 Rylance and Claire van Kampen (later his wife) founded their own theater company Phoebus’ Cart.
In 1993, he appeared in the played Much Ado About Nothing at The Queen’s Theatre and received Olivier Award for Best Actor. In 2005, he starred in the television movie The Government Inspector filmed by Peter Kozminski for Channel 4. For this role he received a BAFTA for Best Actor.
In 2007, he performed in the play Boeing-Boeing in London. In 2008, he played the role on Broadway and was awarded Drama Desk Award and Tony award.
The actor played the title role in the movie The Big Friendly Giant, the film adaptation of the book by Roald Dahl directed by Steven Spielberg.
In 2015, he played Thomas Cromwell in the series Wolf Hall – adaptation of historical novels by Hilary Mantel. For this role, he was nominated for Emmy for Best Actor.
In the biographical drama Bridge of Spies directed by Steven Spielberg Mark played together with Tom Hanks, Amy Ryan and Alan Alda. The role brought him BAFTA and Oscar awards and nomination for Golden Globe.

Big Friendly Giant

Personal life
Rylance is married to the music director, film director, playwright and composer Claire van Kampen. Their wedding took place on December 21, 1989.