British actor Mark Strong, who played Jim Prideaux in the 2011 remake of "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (2011), is often cast as cold, calculating villains. But before he became a famous actor, he intended to pursue a career in law.
Strong was born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia in London, England, to an Austrian mother and an Italian father. His father left the family not long after he was born, and his mother worked as an au pair to raise the boy on her own. Strong's mother had his name legally changed when he was young in order to help him better assimilate with his peers.
Strong attended Wymondham College in Norfolk, and studied at the university level in Munich with the intent of becoming a lawyer. After a year, he returned to London to study English and Drama at Royal Holloway. He went on to further master his craft of at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Although Americans are most familiar with Strong's roles as Sinestro in Linterna Verde (2011), mob boss Frank D'Amico in Kick-Ass - Listo para machacar (2010), and Lord Blackthorn in Sherlock Holmes (2009), British audiences know him from his long history as a television actor. He also starred in as numerous British stage productions, including plays at the Royal National Theatre and the RSC.
His most prominent television parts include Principal sospechoso: El guardián de las almas(1993) and Principal sospechoso: El último testigo (2003) as Inspector Larry Hall, and starring roles in the BBC Two dramas Our Friends in the North (1996) and The Long Firm(2004), the latter of which netted Strong a BAFTA nomination. He also played Mr. Knightley in the 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen's classic tale Emma (1996).
Strong resides in London with his wife Liza Marshall, with whom he has two sons, the younger of which is the godson of his longtime friend Daniel Craig. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous
Spouse
Liza Marshall (? - ?) (2 children)
Trade Mark
Appears in films by Guy Ritchie and Matthew Vaughn (both filmmakers are close friends).
Often plays crime lords and sinister villains
Often appears as a calculating, sinister individual who is willing to go against what they were taught for personal gain
Deep smooth voice
Cold unflinching gaze
Trivia
Born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia in London to an Italian father and an Austrian mother.
He was nominated for a 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role of 2002 for his performance in "Twelfth Night", performed at the Donmar Warehouse.
Speaks fluent German.
Has appeared in two films under the same title: Sunshine (1999) and Sunshine (2007).
Has appeared in two films where the lead male character is named "Tristan": Tristán + Isolda (2006) and Stardust (2007).
He got down to the last two spots for the role of Anton Chigurh in No es país para viejos(2007). Originally turned down Red de mentiras (2008) because his wife was pregnant with their second child.
Has two sons with Liza Marshall: Gabriel and Roman. Son Roman was born October 5, 2007.
Close friends with Daniel Craig. Craig is also the godfather of one of Strong's sons.
Has appeared in four films with Colin Firth: Fuera de juego (1997), El topo (2011), No confíes en nadie (2014) Kingsman: Servicio secreto (2014).
He grew up in Myddleton Square, Kensington, London.
His theatre break was in 'Napoli Milionaria' at the National Theatre and his television break in 'Our Friends in the North'.
Seems to have a passion for espionage movies as he portrayed secret service agents on several occasions: He was the head of Jordanian secret intelligence in Red de mentiras(2008), a cold war era MI-6 agent in El topo (2011), a CIA agent in La noche más oscura(2012), the chief of WWII era British Secret Intelligence Service in The Imitation Game (Descifrando Enigma) (2014) and a non-governmental secret service operative in Kingsman: Servicio secreto (2014).
Personal Quotes
On Stardust (2007) director Matthew Vaughn ... From "Good Omens: The Making of Stardust" on Stardust DVD: What I love about Matthew is his taste. He won't look at the monitor and let something pass unless he thinks it's right and, as an actor, that's what you want from a director. You want them to be your mate behind the camera.
On his character Prince Septimus in Stardust (2007) ... From "Good Omens: The Making of Stardust" on Stardust DVD ... (Contains spoiler for movie): I was able to do pretty much most of my fighting scenes in this movie. The difficulty obviously is, it's one thing being able to do fighting, but it's another thing doing it with your eyes closed while you're slumped over and you can't see your opponent.
(when he was used as a Zombie by the Witch Lamia): In a film, the more effort you put in, the more fantastic it looks.
[on Linterna Verde (2011)]: I had to imbue in Sinestro an evil feeling, so the audience could take that journey into what might be in store for them. That's why Sinestro had to have a presence and a potential to be a badass.
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