Actress Jennifer Connelly
Playing Chaucer in "A Knight's Tale"
September 4, 2004 - While the British-born Paul Bettany ('Peter Colt' in "Wimbledon") is a recognized star overseas with well-received performances in film, on the London stage and on British television, American audiences first discovered him in "A Knight’s Tale," in which he played the comical role of Chaucer opposite Heath Ledger’s Sir William. For this performance, he won the London Film Critics’ Award for Best Supporting Actor and was named one of Daily Variety’s “Ten to Watch” for 2001.
Classically trained at the Drama Centre in London, Bettany made his stage debut in a West End production of "An Inspector Calls," under the direction of Stephen Daldry. He then spent a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing in productions of "Richard III," "Romeo and Juliet" and "Julius Caesar" before landing his first feature film role in "Bent."
Bettany returned to the stage to appear in "Love and Understanding" at London’s Bush Theatre. He later reprised that role at the Longwharf Theatre in Connecticut. The play led to more British television work, including Lynda La Plante’s "Killer Net" and "Coming Home," in which he starred with Peter O’Toole.
Bettany was nominated for a British Independent Film award and a London Film Critics’ Award for Best Newcomer for IFC’s "Gangster No.1," directed by Paul McGuigan. Bettany next starred as the imaginary roommate opposite Russell Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly in the Academy Award®-winning "A Beautiful Mind." His performance in the film won him the London Film Critics’ Award for Best British Actor.
Bettany next starred in "Master and Commander" opposite Russell Crowe for director Peter Weir. In addition to being nominated for a BAFTA and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor, his performance won him the Evening Standard Award for Best British Actor, as well as the London Film Critics’ Award for Best Supporting Actor (for both "Master and Commander" and "The Heart of Me").
