---
name: "Nigel Hawthorne"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/nigel-hawthorne"
fi1m_id: "nigel-hawthorne"
imdb_id: "nm0001329"
tmdb_id: 15788
wikidata_id: "Q269589"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "5 April 1929"
died: "26 December 2001"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-11T23:18:56.559047+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."
---

# Nigel Hawthorne

## Identity

Nigel Hawthorne

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/nigel-hawthorne
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** nigel-hawthorne
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001329
- **TMDB ID:** 15788
- **Wikidata ID:** Q269589
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Hawthorne, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269589, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001329/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15788

Actor. Born 5 April 1929 in Hertfordshire, England, UK. Died 26 December 2001.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 5 April 1929, Hertfordshire, England, UK
- **Died:** 26 December 2001
- **Active:** 1968–1999
- **Frequently works with:** [Antony Jay](https://film.one/person/antony-jay.md), [David Parfitt](https://film.one/person/david-parfitt.md), [Derek Fowlds](https://film.one/person/derek-fowlds.md), [Jonathan Lynn](https://film.one/person/jonathan-lynn.md), [Nicholas Hytner](https://film.one/person/nicholas-hytner.md), [Paul Eddington](https://film.one/person/paul-eddington.md), [Peter Whitmore](https://film.one/person/peter-whitmore.md), [Stephen Evans](https://film.one/person/stephen-evans.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 86 (1), 1970s 81 (1), 1980s 70 (3), 1990s 72 (6)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 61 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Comedy 4, History 3, Action 2, Adventure 2, Animation 2
- **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $852m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigel_Hawthorne, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269589, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001329/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15788

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Yes Minister*](https://film.one/tv/yes-minister.md) (89)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Madness of King George*](https://film.one/film/the-madness-of-king-george.md) (83)
- **Disney+:** [*Tarzan*](https://film.one/film/tarzan.md) (77)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*A Reasonable Man*](https://film.one/film/a-reasonable-man.md) (68)

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

## Fi1m on Nigel Hawthorne

> From Sir Humphrey Appleby to George III, Nigel Hawthorne makes authority funny without making it harmless. His precision with a sentence is a pleasure; his ability to let an assured man become vulnerable is what moves us.

In *The Madness of King George* (1994), Nigel Hawthorne gives the king’s jokes the confidence of a man who expects everyone to listen. George III is prickly and amusing, and Hawthorne does not ask us to find every remark endearing. Even as the king struggles, the wit retains something of that expectation. We were moved by his effort to keep George composed while those around him weighed what his condition might mean for them. The sweetness Hawthorne allows him feels credible because he remains difficult.

Television had made that command familiar. As Sir Humphrey Appleby in *Yes Minister* (1980–84) and *Yes, Prime Minister* (1986–88), Hawthorne made long-winded obstruction funny through comic timing and verbal dexterity. Alongside Paul Eddington and Derek Fowlds, he could make a speech’s refusal to get to the point its chief pleasure.

The stage brought the opportunity for a different sort of leading part, through *Shadowlands* (1989–90) and *The Madness of George III* (1991–92), followed by the latter’s film adaptation. Nicholas Hytner and screenwriter Alan Bennett give Hawthorne room to be funny without treating the king’s distress as a joke. A few of Bennett’s polished lines draw attention to themselves. Hawthorne usually makes them sound like things this particular man needs to say.

Tariq Anwar’s editing helps: the exchanges move briskly, but there is time to notice Hawthorne’s vulnerability. George Fenton’s music is less reliably useful, occasionally reassuring us when the performance is already doing enough. The larger reservation is the film’s readiness to trust the doctor who promises to impose order. That is a weakness in an otherwise humane film, and no reason to overlook the care with which Hawthorne makes its suffering matter. Start with *The Madness of King George*, though we would put more trust in its actor than its doctor.

## Biography

Nigel Hawthorne was an English actor. He was born in Coventry in 1929 and raised in South Africa, where he made his professional stage debut in 1950 before returning to the United Kingdom in the 1950s.

Hawthorne became widely known for his portrayal of Sir Humphrey Appleby in the BBC series *Yes Minister* (1980–84) and its sequel *Yes, Prime Minister* (1986–88), a role for which he received four BAFTA Television Awards. He also appeared in films including *Gandhi* (1982), *Demolition Man* (1993) and voice roles in *Watership Down* (1978) and *Tarzan* (1999).

On stage he played the title role in Alan Bennett's *The Madness of George III*, winning a Laurence Olivier Award; he reprised the part as George III in the 1994 film adaptation *The Madness of King George*, for which he received a BAFTA Film Award and an Academy Award nomination. Hawthorne was appointed CBE in 1987 and knighted in 1999. He died in Hertfordshire in 2001.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *A Reasonable Man* (1999), Fi1m 68, as Judge Wendon — [page](https://film.one/film/a-reasonable-man.md)
- *Tarzan* (1999), Fi1m 77, as Professor Archimedes Q. Porter (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/tarzan.md)
- *Amistad* (1997), Fi1m 63, as Martin Van Buren — [page](https://film.one/film/amistad.md)
- *Twelfth Night* (1996), Fi1m 70, as Malvolio — [page](https://film.one/film/twelfth-night-1996.md)
- *The Madness of King George* (1994), Fi1m 83, as George III — [page](https://film.one/film/the-madness-of-king-george.md)
- *Demolition Man* (1993), Fi1m 68, as Dr. Raymond Cocteau — [page](https://film.one/film/demolition-man.md)
- *Firefox* (1982), Fi1m 47, as Pyotr Baranovich — [page](https://film.one/film/firefox.md)
- *Gandhi* (1982), Fi1m 73, as Kinnoch — [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)
- *Yes Minister* (1980), Fi1m 89, as Sir Humphrey Appleby — [page](https://film.one/tv/yes-minister.md)
- *Watership Down* (1978), Fi1m 81, as Captain Campion (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/watership-down.md)
- *Dad's Army* (1968), Fi1m 86, as Angry Man — [page](https://film.one/tv/dads-army.md)

## Complete filmography (113)

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

- *Once Upon a Halloween* (2005), as Fflewddur Fflam (voice) (archive sound)
- *Animal Stories* (2005), as Narrator (Orig. U.K.)
- *The Funny Blokes of British Comedy* (2005), as Sir Humphrey Appleby (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *Call Me Claus* (2001), as Nick
- *Victoria & Albert* (2001), as Lord William Lamb
- *Victoria & Albert* (2001), series, as Viscount Melbourne
- *Higher Love* (2001), as Uncle Cullen · Executive Producer
- *The Clandestine Marriage* (1999), as Lord Ogleby
- *A Reasonable Man* (1999), as Judge Wendon — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/a-reasonable-man.md)
- *Tarzan* (1999), as Professor Archimedes Q. Porter (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/tarzan.md)
- *The Big Brass Ring* (1999), as Kim Mennaker
- *The Winslow Boy* (1999), as Arthur Winslow
- *Atatürk: Founder of Modern Turkey* (1999), as Sir Percy Lorraine, British Ambassador
- *Madeline* (1998), as Lord Covington
- *Animal Stories* (1998), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *The Object of My Affection* (1998), as Rodney Fraser
- *Amistad* (1997), as Martin Van Buren — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/amistad.md)
- *Forbidden Territory: Stanley's Search for Livingstone* (1997), as David Livingstone
- *Murder in Mind* (1997), as Dr. Ellis · Associate Producer
- *The Fragile Heart* (1996), series, as Dr. Edgar Pascoe
- *Twelfth Night* (1996), as Malvolio — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/twelfth-night-1996.md)
- *Inside* (1996), as Colonel
- *Russia's War: Blood Upon the Snow* (1996), series, as Narrator
- *The Happy Prince* (1996), as Narrator (voice)
- *Richard III* (1995), as The Duke of Clarence
- *The Madness of King George* (1994), as George III — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-madness-of-king-george.md)
- *Late-Flowering Lust* (1994), as Cousin John
- *Demolition Man* (1993), as Dr. Raymond Cocteau — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/demolition-man.md)
- *Freddie As F.R.O.7.* (1992), as Brigadier G (voice)
- *Flea Bites* (1992), as Kryst
- *The Trials of Oz* (1991), as Brian Leary
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Brian Leary
- *King of the Wind* (1990), as Achmet
- *Relatively Speaking* (1989), as Philip Carter
- *A Handful of Time* (1989), as Ted Walker
- *The Spirit of Man* (1989), as Rev. Jonathan Guerdon
- *The Shawl* (1989), as John
- *RARG* (1988), as Storyteller
- *The Play on One* (1988), series, as John
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Rev. Jonathan Guerdon
- *Yes, Prime Minister* (1986), series, as Sir Humphrey Appleby
- *Turtle Diary* (1985), as Publisher
- *Jenny's War* (1985), as Colonel
- *Theatre Night* (1985), series, as Harpagon
- *The Black Cauldron* (1985), as Fflewddur Fflam (voice)
- *Jenny's War* (1985), series, as Colonel
- *Mapp & Lucia* (1985), series, as Georgie Pillson
- *The Chain* (1984), as Mr Thorn
- *The House* (1984), as General Fagg
- *Pope John Paul II* (1984), as Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski
- *Natural World* (1983), series, as Narrator
- *Tartuffe, or The Imposter* (1983), as Orgon
- *The Crimson Permanent Assurance* (1983), as Passerby (uncredited)
- *Dead on Time* (1983), as Doctor
- *The Funny Side of Christmas* (1982), as Sir Humphrey Appleby
- *Gandhi* (1982), as Kinnoch — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)
- *The Barchester Chronicles* (1982), series, as Dr Grantly
- *The Plague Dogs* (1982), as Dr. Boycott (voice)
- *The Critic* (1982), as Mr. Sneer
- *Firefox* (1982), as Pyotr Baranovich — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/firefox.md)
- *The World Cup: A Captain's Tale* (1982), as John Westwood
- *A Woman Called Golda* (1982), as King Abdullah
- *The Hunchback of Notre Dame* (1982), as Magistrate at Esmeralda's trial
- *Protest* (1981), as Stanek / Vanek
- *Memoirs of a Survivor* (1981), as Victorian Father
- *History of the World: Part I* (1981), as Citizen Official - The French Revolution
- *A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado* (1981), as Fulton
- *Jessie* (1980), as Mr Edmonds
- *A Tale of Two Cities* (1980), as Mr. CJ Stryver
- *Russell Harty* (1980), series, Actor
- *A Rod of Iron* (1980), as Trevor
- *The Tempest* (1980), as Stephano
- *Yes Minister* (1980), series, as Sir Humphrey Appleby — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/yes-minister.md)
- *The Enigma* (1980), as Fenton
- *The Misanthrope* (1980), as Philinte
- *The Other Side* (1979), series, as Skellow
- *Tales of the Unexpected* (1979), series, as Charles Drummond
- *Thomas & Sarah* (1979), series, as Wilson
- *The Knowledge* (1979), as Mr Burgess
- *The BBC Television Shakespeare* (1978), series, as Stephano
- *The Sailor's Return* (1978), as Mr Fosse
- *Edward and Mrs Simpson* (1978), series, as Walter Monkton
- *Edward & Mrs. Simpson* (1978), as Walter Monkton
- *Watership Down* (1978), as Captain Campion (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/watership-down.md)
- *Holocaust* (1978), series, as Ohldendorf
- *Sweeney 2* (1978), as Det. Chief Insp. Dilke
- *Going Straight* (1978), series, as Worm Wellings
- *Warrior Queen* (1978), series, as Catus Decianus
- *Destiny* (1978), as Major Lewis Rolfe
- *Marie Curie* (1977), series, as Pierre Curie
- *Buffet* (1976), as Jack
- *Bill Brand* (1976), series, as Browning
- *Play Things* (1976), as Tenby
- *Spiderweb* (1976), as Erik Lönnrot
- *The Floater* (1975), as Morris Shelman
- *The Hiding Place* (1975), as Pastor De Ruiter
- *Child of Hope* (1975), as Police Captain
- *S*P*Y*S* (1974), as Croft
- *Occupations* (1974), as Libertini
- *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Tenby, Fenton
- *The Emergency Channel* (1973), as Graham
- *Young Winston* (1972), as Boer Sentry (uncredited)
- *Alma Mater* (1971), as Major
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Graham, Major Lewis Rolfe, Jack, Morris Shelman, Police Captain, Stanek /  Vanek, Fulton
- *ITV Saturday Night Theatre* (1969), series, as Hugh
- *Dad's Army* (1968), series, as Angry Man — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/dads-army.md)
- *Omnibus* (1967), series, Actor
- *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Trevor
- *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Mr Sneer, Philinte
- *The Desperate People* (1963), series, as Cliff Fletcher
- *Man of the World* (1962), series, as Assistant Director
- *Carve Her Name with Pride* (1958), as Park Soldier (uncredited)
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Magistrate

## Gallery

- ![Nigel Hawthorne](https://film.one/media/person/60129/gallery-c0e28e985d10.jpg) Nigel Hawthorne — PBS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/Nigel_Hawthorne_1988_PBS_publicity.jpeg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Nigel Hawthorne](https://film.one/media/person/60129/gallery-c7eb4422302e.jpg) Nigel Hawthorne — Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Nigel_Hawthorne.jpg/1280px-Nigel_Hawthorne.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Coventry Walk of Fame - Sir Nigel Hawthorne (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/60129/gallery-636a80af3008.jpg) Coventry Walk of Fame - Sir Nigel Hawthorne (2012) — Andy Mabbett, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/WTC_Andy_Mabbett_DSC_6030.JPG/1280px-WTC_Andy_Mabbett_DSC_6030.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1995: Best Actor (nominated), for *The Madness of King George*

### Other awards — 2 won

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1991: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (won)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role 1977: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (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/nigel-hawthorne