Colin Firth: A Look At His Amazing Career

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Colin Firth

English actor Colin Firth was born on September 10, 1960. By the age of 14, Colin knew he wanted to be a professional actor and would work hard to achieve his dream. Colin's other passion was English literature, which has influenced many of the roles he has taken on. Some of his earliest roles would come on the English stage in productions of Another Country and in a number of war films including A Month in the Country and Tumbledown. By 1987, Colin had been dubbed as one of the "Brit Pack", a handful of upcoming British actors to look out for!

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'Apartment Zero'

Taking on a number of interesting and challenging roles such as in psychological thriller Apartment Zero, Colin Firth quickly proved his worth as one of the "Brit Pack" members. Colin would blow audiences away in this next film, even surprising himself...

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'Pride and Prejudice'

While Colin Firth was reluctant to take on this next role, it would be the defining moment of his career. Playing "Mr. Darcy" in 1995 TV series Pride and Prejudice would, much to Colin's surprise, launch his career and worldwide fame. Showing off his versatility and body in the sexy lake scene, we can think of no one better suited for the part. Despite his wariness of being typecasted into similar roles, Colin Firth will forever be remembered as the handsome heartthrob "Mr. Darcy"!

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'Bridget Jones's Diary'

2001's Bridget Jones's Diary is an example of the typecasting Colin Firth was afraid of. A modern-day Pride and Prejudice, Firth saw it as his chance to finally overcome the overshadowing of "Mr. Darcy" and break free. And that he did! A critical success, Bridget Jones's Diary has become a classic romance film, even spawning a number of sequels.

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'Love Actually'

Colin Firth continued to dominate the screen throughout the early 2000s starring in a number of successful films like Love Actually, Girl with a Pearl Earring, and What a Girl Wants. Colin Firth truly knows how to bring the romance and we could watch all three films over and over again!

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'Mamma Mia!'

Not only can Colin Firth act, but he also has some mean vocals! Showing off his musical talent in 2008's Mamma Mia!, the film would become the highest-grossing British-made film of all time! Colin would later reprise his role in 2018's Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

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'A Single Man'

This next film would garner Colin Firth awards and nominations from close and afar! Taking the lead in Tom Ford's 2009 directorial debut, A Single Man, Firth would win the Volpi Cup for Best Actor and receive nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes!

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'The King's Speech'

Taking on the role of Prince Albert, the true story of King George VI's rise to the British throne, in 2010's The Kings Speech, Colin Firth would receive the highest praise of his career so far! Winning both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Actor, the film couldn't have been a better 50th birthday present for Firth!

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'The Railway Man'

Colin Firth has found his nook in historical dramas and, in 2013, he would shine in the role of a British officer who is captured by the Japanese during World War II. Based on the book of the same name, the film has been ranked as one of the best World War II dramas!

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'Kingsman: The Secret Service'

In 2014, Colin Firth would step out of the historical drama genre and show off his comedy skills in spy comedy Kingsman: The Secret Service. Starring alongside Taron Egerton and Samuel L. Jackson, the film was a huge success, encouraging a sequel in 2017, and another set to be released in 2021.