---
name: "David Attenborough"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-attenborough"
fi1m_id: "david-attenborough"
imdb_id: "nm0041003"
tmdb_id: 86543
wikidata_id: "Q183337"
roles: ["Writer"]
born: "8 May 1926"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 3
average_as: "writer"
average_over: 1
updated: "2026-09-24T01:50:13.751274+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# David Attenborough

## Identity

David Attenborough

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-attenborough
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-attenborough
- **IMDb ID:** nm0041003
- **TMDB ID:** 86543
- **Wikidata ID:** Q183337
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Attenborough, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183337, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0041003/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/86543

Writer. Born 8 May 1926 in London, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer
- **Born:** 8 May 1926, London, England, UK
- **Active:** 1979–2016
- **Also known as:** David Frederick Attenborough, Sir David Attenborough, Дэвид Фредерик Аттенборо, Девід Аттенборо,  大卫·爱登堡, 大衛·艾登堡, デヴィッド・アッテンボロー, 大衛·艾登伯祿, دیوید اتنبرو, Ντέιβιντ Άτενμπρα, Ντέιβιντ Φρέντερικ Ατένμπορο
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 3: 1 writing, 1 producing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Alastair Fothergill](https://film.one/person/alastair-fothergill.md), [Ed Charles](https://film.one/person/ed-charles.md), [Vanessa Berlowitz](https://film.one/person/vanessa-berlowitz.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 3 Emmys (3 won)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 88 (1), 2010s 86 (1), 2020s 80 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Attenborough, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q183337, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0041003/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/86543

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Life on Earth*](https://film.one/tv/life-on-earth.md) (88)
- **Discovery+:** [*Planet Earth II*](https://film.one/tv/planet-earth-ii.md) (86)
- **Netflix:** [*David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet*](https://film.one/film/david-attenborough-a-life-on-our-planet.md) (80)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

David Attenborough is a British broadcaster and naturalist. He has written and presented numerous natural history series for the BBC Natural History Unit, including the nine 'Life' series that survey life on Earth.

His credits include appearances as Self or narrator in films and series such as *The Blue Planet* (2001), *Planet Earth* (2006), *Life* (2009), *Frozen Planet* (2011), *Blue Planet II* (2017), *Our Planet* (2019) and *David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet* (2020). He previously held senior management roles at the BBC, serving as controller of BBC Two and director of programmes for BBC Television.

Attenborough is the younger brother of the late actor, director and producer Richard Attenborough.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (3)

### Wrote (1) — the average rests on these

- *Life on Earth* (1979), Fi1m 88, as Self - Presenter — [page](https://film.one/tv/life-on-earth.md)

### Produced (1)

- *Planet Earth II* (2016), Fi1m 86, as Self - Narrator — [page](https://film.one/tv/planet-earth-ii.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet* (2020), Fi1m 80, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/david-attenborough-a-life-on-our-planet.md)

## Complete filmography (104)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Attenborough and the Sea Dragon* (2018), as Presenter
- *Deep Ocean: Giants of the Antarctic Deep* (2018), as Narrator
- *Attenborough and the Empire of the Ants* (2017), Writer
- *Planet Earth II* (2016), series, Casting — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/planet-earth-ii.md)
- *Zoo Quest in Colour* (2016), Sound Recordist
- *Wild City* (2016), series, Presenter
- *Great Barrier Reef with David Attenborough* (2015), series, Writer
- *Afrique sauvage - L'avenir en marche* (2015), Presenter
- *Attenborough's Big Birds* (2015), as Narrator
- *Africa's Fishing Leopards* (2015), as Narrator (voice)
- *Attenborough's Paradise Birds* (2015), as Presenter - Narrator
- *David Attenborough's Conquest of the Skies* (2015), series, Writer
- *Sir David Attenborough – A Life on Earth* (2014), as David Attenborough · Writer, Director, Presenter
- *Mountain Lions: Big Cats in High Places* (2014), as Narrator
- *Conquest of The Skies 3D* (2014), as 自己, 编剧
- *David Attenborough's Natural History Museum Alive* (2014), Presenter, Writer
- *David Attenborough's Rise of Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates* (2013), series, Screenplay
- *The Mating Game* (2013), as Narrator
- *Micro Monsters with David Attenborough* (2013), series, as Presenter
- *Galapagos with David Attenborough* (2013), Writer
- *Africa* (2013), series, Writer
- *Galapagos 3D with David Attenborough* (2013), series, Writer
- *Attenborough's Ark* (2012), Narrator, Writer
- *Hot Tuna* (2012), as Narrator
- *Superfish: Bluefin Tuna* (2012), Actor
- *Secrets of Wild India* (2012), series, as Narrator
- *Frozen Planet* (2011), series, Writer
- *Flying Monsters 3D with David Attenborough* (2011), Writer
- *Water Life A World of Water* (2009), as 导演
- *Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life* (2009), Presenter, Writer
- *NHKスペシャル 映像詩 里山II 命めぐる水辺* (2008), as Narrator
- *Clever Monkeys* (2008), as Narrator
- *Tiger: Spy In The Jungle* (2008), series, Actor
- *Life in Cold Blood* (2008), series, Writer
- *Snow Leopard: Beyond the Myth* (2008), as Narrator
- *Trek - Spy on the Wildebeest* (2007), Actor
- *Can We Save Planet Earth?* (2006), Actor
- *Are We Changing Planet Earth?* (2006), series, Actor
- *Gorillas Revisited with Sir David Attenborough* (2006), as Presenter
- *Planet Earth* (2006), series, Writer
- *Desert Lions* (2006), Script Consultant
- *Life in the Undergrowth* (2005), series, Writer
- *Bears: Spy in the Woods* (2004), Actor
- *Satoyama: Japan's Secret Watergarden* (2004), as Narrator
- *The Amber Time Machine* (2004), as Narrator
- *The Minsmere Year* (2004), Actor
- *The Many Lives of Richard Attenborough* (2003), Actor
- *Deep Blue* (2003), Writer
- *The Life of Mammals* (2002), series, Writer
- *Great Natural Wonders of the World* (2002), as Presenter
- *Bowerbirds: The Art of Seduction* (2000), Narrator, Writer
- *Lions: Spy in the Den* (2000), as Narrator
- *State of the Planet* (2000), series, Writer
- *Living with Dinosaurs* (2000), as Presenter
- *The Lost Gods of Easter Island* (2000), Screenplay
- *The Song of the Earth* (2000), Narrator, Writer
- *The Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth* (1999), as Presenter - Narrator
- *Tiger: The Elusive Princess* (1999), as Narrator (voice)
- *Islands of the Vampire Birds* (1999), as Narrator (voice) · Writer
- *Satoyama I: Japan's Secret Watergarden* (1999), as Narrator
- *The Life of Birds* (1998), series, Writer
- *The Dragons of Galapagos* (1998), as Narrator (voice)
- *Sperm Whales: Back from the Abyss* (1996), as Narrator
- *Attenborough in Paradise* (1996), Writer
- *Attenborough in Paradise* (1996), series, Writer
- *Survival Island* (1996), Narrator, Writer
- *Wildlife Specials* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Private Life of Plants* (1995), series, Writer
- *Great White Shark - The Silent Stalker* (1995), Actor
- *Life in the Freezer* (1993), series, Writer
- *Killer Whales: Wolves of the Sea* (1993), as Narrator
- *Barn Owl: Bird of Darkness* (1991), Actor
- *Lost Worlds, Vanished Lives* (1989), series, as Presenter - Narrator
- *The First Eden* (1987), series, as Presenter - Narrator
- *Birds of the Sun God* (1987), as Narrator
- *David Attenborough's Animals of the British Countryside - Land Mammals* (1985), as Narrator
- *The Million Pound Bird Book* (1985), Presenter, Writer
- *Television* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Living Planet* (1984), series, Writer
- *Aliens From Inner Space* (1983), as Narrator
- *Natural World* (1983), series, Presenter, Narrator (voice), Narrator, Writer
- *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice), Host
- *General Studies: An Everyday Miracle* (1981), as Narrator
- *Squirrel on My Shoulder* (1979), as Narrator
- *Life on Earth* (1979), series, Writer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/life-on-earth.md)
- *At Home with Badgers* (1978), as Narrator
- *Wildlife on One* (1977), series, as Narrator
- *Fabulous Animals* (1975), series, Creator
- *The Tribal Eye* (1975), series, Actor
- *NOVA* (1974), series, Narrator, Writer
- *Eastward With Attenborough* (1973), series, Actor
- *A Blank on the Map* (1971), Screenplay
- *Baobab: Portrait of a Tree* (1971), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Miracle of Bali* (1969), series, Actor
- *The World About Us* (1967), series, as Narrator
- *Horizon* (1964), series, Actor
- *Adventure* (1963), series, Actor
- *Elsa the Lioness* (1961), Producer
- *The People of Paradise* (1960), series, Actor
- *Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1955-1958* (1955), series, Actor
- *Zoo Quest to West Africa* (1955), Writer, Producer
- *The Ascent of Kangchenjunga* (1955), Producer
- *Zoo Quest* (1954), series, Actor
- *Flying Casanovas*, series, Creator

## Gallery

- ![Artist and student Ashley McDonald protests at Parliament with a sign "Stop upsetting Sir David Attenborough - he's too old for this shit" Strike 4 Climate marc (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-6f9705fb4f77.jpg) Artist and student Ashley McDonald protests at Parliament with a sign "Stop upsetting Sir David Attenborough - he's too old for this shit" Strike 4 Climate marc (2019) — Judi Lapsley Miller, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/20190927_Strike4ClimateWellington_558.jpg/1280px-20190927_Strike4ClimateWellington_558.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Time capsule in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens, buried by David Attenborough on 22 March 1985 (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-7013b45c8a7b.jpg) Time capsule in the Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens, buried by David Attenborough on 22 March 1985 (2024) — Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/At_Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew_2024_196.jpg/1280px-At_Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew_2024_196.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Board mentioning the details of nature conservation organization offices within in David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-81c93e11e6d8.jpg) Board mentioning the details of nature conservation organization offices within in David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016) — PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Board_in_David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0604.jpg/1280px-Board_in_David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0604.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Board with details of David Attenborough at David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-7f37b3b60727.jpg) Board with details of David Attenborough at David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016) — PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Board_with_details_of_David_Attenborough_at_David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0608.jpg/1280px-Board_with_details_of_David_Attenborough_at_David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0608.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Attenborough](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-e0135527e344.jpg) David Attenborough — Image via TMDB
- ![David Attenborough](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-7d5c29d745fb.jpg) David Attenborough — Image via TMDB
- ![David Attenborough](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-2ca3d21350f7.jpg) David Attenborough — Image via TMDB
- ![David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-6a25bca2f4b2.jpg) David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016) — PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0602.jpg/1280px-David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0602.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-f1c9c8bab770.jpg) David Attenborough Building_Cambridge (2016) — PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0603.jpg/1280px-David_Attenborough_Building_Cambridge_JEG0603.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Attenborough](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-7c05748f521d.jpg) David Attenborough — Image via TMDB
- ![David Attenborough](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-f39100e6e43b.jpg) David Attenborough — Image via TMDB
- ![David Attenborough](https://film.one/media/person/103468/gallery-7b59a07ca25d.jpg) David Attenborough — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 3 won

- 2020: Outstanding Narrator (won), for *Seven Worlds, One Planet*
- 2019: Outstanding Narrator (won), for *Our Planet*
- 2018: Outstanding Narrator (won), for *Blue Planet II*

### Other awards — 30 won

- Champions of the Earth 2022: Champions of the Earth (won)
- Crystal Award 2019: Crystal Award (won)
- Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society 2017: Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society (won)
- Bodley Medal 2015: Bodley Medal (won)
- Fonseca Prize 2010: Fonseca Prize (won)
- Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences 2009: Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences (won)
- Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science 2008: Corresponding Member of the Australian Academy of Science (won)
- Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries 2007: Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (won)
- Linnean Tercentenary Medal 2007: Linnean Tercentenary Medal (won)
- CIEEM Medal 2006: CIEEM Medal (won)
- Nierenberg Prize 2005: Nierenberg Prize (won)
- Order of Merit 2005: Order of Merit (won)
- Caird Medal 2004: Caird Medal (won)
- Michael Faraday Prize 2003: Michael Faraday Prize (won)
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology 2000: Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (won)
- International Cosmos Prize 2000: International Cosmos Prize (won)
- Fellow of the Linnean Society of London 1999: Fellow of the Linnean Society of London (won)
- Edinburgh Medal 1998: Edinburgh Medal (won)
- Fellow of the Zoological Society of London 1998: Fellow of the Zoological Society of London (won)
- Natural World Book Prize 1998: Natural World Book Prize (won)
- Companion of Honour 1996: Companion of Honour (won)
- honorary doctor of the University of Antwerp 1993: honorary doctor of the University of Antwerp (won)
- Commander of the Royal Victorian Order 1991: Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (won)
- Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences 1991: Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (won)
- Benjamin Franklin Medal 1990: Benjamin Franklin Medal (won)
- Founder’s Medal 1985: Founder’s Medal (won)
- Kalinga Prize 1981: Kalinga Prize (won)
- honorary doctorate 1980: honorary doctorate (won)
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire 1974: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (won)
- Cherry Kearton Medal and Award 1972: Cherry Kearton Medal and Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/david-attenborough