--- name: "Simon Callow" canonical: "https://film.one/person/simon-callow" fi1m_id: "simon-callow" imdb_id: "nm0001003" tmdb_id: 4001 wikidata_id: "Q731187" roles: ["Actor"] born: "13 June 1949" reviewed_on_fi1m: 13 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 10 updated: "2026-10-23T04:01:55.377520+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." --- # Simon Callow ## Identity Simon Callow - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/simon-callow - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** simon-callow - **IMDb ID:** nm0001003 - **TMDB ID:** 4001 - **Wikidata ID:** Q731187 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Callow, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q731187, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001003/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4001 Actor. Born 13 June 1949 in Streatham, London, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 13 June 1949, Streatham, London, England, UK - **Active:** 1984–present - **Also known as:** Simon Phillip Hugh Callow, 사이먼 캘로우, سایمن کالو - **Titles on Fi1m:** 13: 10 acting, 3 other - **Frequently works with:** [Hugh Grant](https://film.one/person/hugh-grant.md), [Denholm Elliott](https://film.one/person/denholm-elliott.md), [Ismail Merchant](https://film.one/person/ismail-merchant.md), [James Ivory](https://film.one/person/james-ivory.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 10 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 86 (3), 1990s 75 (5), 2000s 72 (4), 2010s 74 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 71 across 9 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 8 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 8, Romance 5, Comedy 3, History 3, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2, Action 1 - **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,020m across 8 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Callow, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q731187, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001003/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4001 ## Coming up - *The Northumbria Mysteries*, as David — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-northumbria-mysteries.md) ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Shakespeare in Love*](https://film.one/film/shakespeare-in-love.md) (79), [*No Man's Land*](https://film.one/film/no-mans-land.md) (77) - **HBO Max:** [*A Room with a View*](https://film.one/film/a-room-with-a-view.md) (84) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Maurice*](https://film.one/film/maurice.md) (83) - **Netflix:** [*Four Weddings and a Funeral*](https://film.one/film/four-weddings-and-a-funeral.md) (80) - **Pluto TV:** [*The Phantom of the Opera*](https://film.one/film/the-phantom-of-the-opera.md) (49) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Simon Callow > Simon Callow’s comic timing makes him welcome in a busy ensemble, especially when period manners give him something to work with. We like the flamboyance, but his dour censor in *Shakespeare in Love* is a useful change from the cheerfulness. Give Simon Callow a theatre to police and the casting already has a joke in it. In *Shakespeare in Love* (1998), his Tilney, Master of the Revels, is the dour censor among the theatre people who make John Madden’s comedy worth watching. An actor associated with jocularity gets to supply the disapproval, and we like that use of him. The romance is too neatly arranged, but the company gives us a reason to stay. For *Amadeus* (1984), he moved from playing Mozart in the 1979 National Theatre production to Emanuel Schikaneder in Miloš Forman’s film. It was his film debut, and the shift from leading role to supporting player points towards the screen career that followed. We felt for Salieri because F. Murray Abraham made his envy painfully understandable. That central rivalry holds the film even when Mozart’s childishness wears thin, and Callow has his place in the surrounding company. We value him in that setting, with other actors and a substantial story to accommodate. James Ivory was an important collaborator as Callow established himself in cinema, casting him in three films. Reverend Mr Beebe in *A Room with a View* (1985) is one of the early period parts that made such casting seem natural. Gareth in *Four Weddings and a Funeral* (1994) gave his comic timing another ensemble setting, with room for poignancy too. We would not reduce that contribution to being good company: a comic supporting character can matter emotionally without having to become the centre of the film. His one-man stage shows about Charles Dickens and Shakespeare offer a more concentrated dose of that theatricality. On screen, we prefer it when the part gives his flamboyance a clear purpose; being pleased to see an actor is not reason enough to forgive every flourish. Tilney’s job supplies just such a purpose, with Callow working against the cheerfulness so often associated with him. Try *Shakespeare in Love* for an entertainer employed to keep the entertainment in check. ## Biography Simon Callow is an English actor. Born in Streatham, London, in 1949, he started his career as a box-office assistant at the Old Vic Theatre in London. He originated the title role in the stage production of *Amadeus* and appeared in the 1984 film adaptation as Emanuel Schikaneder. On screen he is known for roles including the Reverend Beebe in *A Room with a View* (1985), Gareth in *Four Weddings and a Funeral* (1994) and Tilney in *Shakespeare in Love* (1998). He has also appeared in *The Phantom of the Opera* (2004) and television series including *Doctor Who* and *Outlander*. Callow has directed for stage and screen, written biographies and was appointed CBE in 1999 for services to acting. *Sources: screenonline.org.uk, imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.* ## On Fi1m (13) ### Performed in (10) — the average rests on these - *Outlander* (2014), Fi1m 74, as Duke of Sandringham — [page](https://film.one/tv/outlander.md) - *Doctor Who* (2005), Fi1m 78, as Charles Dickens — [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md) - *The Phantom of the Opera* (2004), Fi1m 49, as Andre — [page](https://film.one/film/the-phantom-of-the-opera.md) - *No Man's Land* (2001), Fi1m 77, as Colonel Soft — [page](https://film.one/film/no-mans-land.md) - *Shakespeare in Love* (1998), Fi1m 79, as Tilney — [page](https://film.one/film/shakespeare-in-love.md) - *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls* (1995), Fi1m 54, as Vincent Cadby — [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-when-nature-calls.md) - *Four Weddings and a Funeral* (1994), Fi1m 80, as Gareth — [page](https://film.one/film/four-weddings-and-a-funeral.md) - *Maurice* (1987), Fi1m 83, as Mr. Ducie — [page](https://film.one/film/maurice.md) - *A Room with a View* (1986), Fi1m 84, as The Reverend Mr. Beebe — [page](https://film.one/film/a-room-with-a-view.md) - *Amadeus* (1984), Fi1m 91, as Emanuel Schikaneder — [page](https://film.one/film/amadeus.md) ### Also credited (3) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Angels in America* (2003), Fi1m 83, as Prior Walter Ancestor #2 (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md) - *Notting Hill* (1999), Fi1m 78, as Simon Callow (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/notting-hill.md) - *Howards End* (1992), Fi1m 84, as Music and Meaning Lecturer (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/howards-end.md) ## Complete filmography (155) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Eternal Return* (2026), as Malcolm - *The Man with the Plan* (2026), as William Beveridge - *Bookish* (2025), series, as E - *Étoile* (2025), series, as Crispin Shamblee - *Aguska* (2024), as Patrick Carter - *It's Christmas!* (2024), as Samuel - *The Boy That Never Was* (2024), series, as Cozimo - *Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2* (2024), as Cavendish - *Dodger Special: Coronation* (2023), as Archbishop of Canterbury - *Murder Ballads: How to Make It in Rock 'n' Roll* (2023), as Richard O'Keefe - *Doctor Jekyll* (2023), as Journalist - *Surprised by Oxford* (2023), as Dr. Sterling - *The Pay Day* (2022), as Gates - *Judi Dench: Our National Treasure* (2022), as Narrator - *Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye* (2022), Actor - *The Amazing Mr. Blunden* (2021), as Mr. Blunden - *Hawkeye* (2021), series, as Armand Duquesne III - *Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius* (2021), as Alexander Pope - *The Cleaner* (2021), series, as Mr. Abahassine - *Classical Destinations: The Great Composers* (2021), series, as narrator - *Nutcracker Delights: English National Ballet* (2020), as Narrator - *The Witcher* (2019), series, as Codringher — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-witcher.md) - *The Dead Room* (2018), as Aubrey Judd - *Secrets of Britain's Great Cathedrals* (2018), series, Creator - *A Christmas Carol* (2018), Writer - *Blue Iguana* (2018), as Uncle Martin - *Born Silly* (2017), as Narrator (voice) - *Grindsploitation 3: Video Nasty* (2017), Actor - *The Man Who Invented Christmas* (2017), as Leech - *Victoria & Abdul* (2017), as Mr. Puccini - *Hampstead* (2017), as Judge - *Viceroy's House* (2017), as Cyril Radcliffe - *The Rebel* (2016), series, as Henry Palmer - *Golden Years* (2016), as Royston - *Galavant* (2015), series, as Edwin the Magnificent - *Creditors* (2015), Actor - *Outlander* (2014), series, as Duke of Sandringham — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/outlander.md) - *Miss in Her Teens* (2014), as The Author - *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Dick — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md) - *Plebs* (2013), series, Actor - *Best Possible Taste: The Kenny Everett Story* (2012), as Dickie Attenborough - *Them From That Thing* (2012), series, as Various - *Shakespeare's Sonnets* (2012), Actor - *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Dudley - *Being Shakespeare* (2012), Actor - *Acts of Godfrey* (2012), as Godfrey - *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as Larry South - *Late Bloomers* (2011), as Richard - *Love's Kitchen* (2011), as Guy Witherspoon - *Ice* (2011), as Prime Minister - *Ice* (2011), series, as Prime Minister - *Save Our Bacon* (2010), as The Swinesbury's Boss (voice) - *Arn: The Knight Templar* (2010), series, as Fader Henry - *Orson Welles Over Europe* (2009), Writer - *The Addictions of Sin: WH Auden in His Own Words* (2009), series, as Readings (voice) - *Chemical Wedding* (2008), as Haddo - *Arn: The Knight Templar* (2007), as Father Henry - *Ripley Under Ground* (2007), as Dean Bentliffe - *The Sarah Jane Adventures* (2007), series, as Tree Blathereen (voice) - *The Company* (2007), series, as MI6 liaison officer Elihu - *British Film Forever* (2007), series, Actor - *Surveillance 24/7* (2007), as St John - *Roman Mysteries* (2007), series, as Pliny - *Lewis* (2007), series, as Vernon Oxe - *The Madness of Boy George* (2006), as Narrator (voice) - *The Curse of King Tut's Tomb* (2006), series, as George Russell - *The Curse of King Tut's Tomb* (2006), as George Russell - *Revisiting Brideshead* (2005), as Narrator - *Rag Tale* (2005), as Cormac Rourke - *The Best Man* (2005), as Big-Time Publisher - *The Civilization of Maxwell Bright* (2005), as Mr. Wroth - *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Charles Dickens — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md) - *Bob the Butler* (2005), as Mr. Butler - *Agatha Christie's Marple* (2004), series, as Colonel Melchett - *The Phantom of the Opera* (2004), as Andre — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/the-phantom-of-the-opera.md) - *Shoebox Zoo* (2004), series, as Wolfgang the Wolf (voice) / Hunter the Horse (voice) - *George and the Dragon* (2004), as King Edgar - *Angels in America* (2003), series, as Prior 2, Prior Walter Ancestor #2 (uncredited) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/angels-in-america.md) - *Thank You, Doctor Rey* (2003), as Bob - *Bright Young Things* (2003), as King of Anatolia - *Galileo’s Battle for the Heavens* (2002), as Galileo - *The Mystery of Charles Dickens* (2002), as Charles Dickens - *Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale* (2002), series, as Charles Dickens - *Thunderpants* (2002), as Sir John Osgood - *Richard Rodgers: Some Enchanted Evening* (2002), Director - *Christmas Carol: The Movie* (2001), as Charles Dickens / Ebenezer Scrooge (voice) - *Don't Eat the Neighbours* (2001), series, Actor - *No Man's Land* (2001), as Colonel Soft — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/no-mans-land.md) - *Deadly Appearances* (2000), as Rick Spencer - *Around The World In 80 Days* (2000), as Phileas Fogg (voice) - *Animated Epics: Don Quixote* (2000), as Don Quixote - *Notting Hill* (1999), as Simon Callow (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/notting-hill.md) - *Shakespeare in Love* (1998), as Tilney — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/shakespeare-in-love.md) - *Bedrooms and Hallways* (1998), as Keith - *The Scarlet Tunic* (1998), as Captain Fairfax - *The Woman In White* (1997), as Count Fosco - *The Woman In White* (1997), series, as Count Fosco - *Trial & Retribution* (1997), series, as Rupert Halliday - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Dr. Wellow — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Victory* (1996), as Zangiacomo - *Testament: The Bible in Animation* (1996), series, as Meneptah (voice) - *Moses* (1996), as Meneptah II (voice) - *James and the Giant Peach* (1996), as Grasshopper (voice) - *Dennis the Menace and Gnasher* (1996), series, as Hugo Trenchfoot (voice) - *An Audience with Charles Dickens* (1996), as Charles Dickens - *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls* (1995), as Vincent Cadby — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-when-nature-calls.md) - *Jefferson in Paris* (1995), as Richard Cosway - *England, My England* (1995), as Charles II - *El pasajero clandestino* (1995), as Major Owens - *Street Fighter* (1994), as A. N. Official - *Little Napoleons* (1994), series, as Edward Feathers - *Four Weddings and a Funeral* (1994), as Gareth — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/four-weddings-and-a-funeral.md) - *Camp Christmas* (1993), Actor - *Femme Fatale* (1993), as Vicar Ronnie - *Soft Top Hard Shoulder* (1993), as Eddie Cherdowski - *Howards End* (1992), as Music and Meaning Lecturer (uncredited) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/howards-end.md) - *The Trials of Oz* (1991), as John Mortimer - *The Crucifer of Blood* (1991), as Inspector Lestrade - *Performance* (1991), series, as John Mortimer - *The Ballad of the Sad Cafe* (1991), Director - *Mr. & Mrs. Bridge* (1990), as Dr. Alex Sauer - *Postcards from the Edge* (1990), as Simon Asquith - *Old Flames* (1990), as Nathanial Quass - *Revolutionary Witness* (1989), as Franciscus Palloy - *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Dr. Lutz — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md) - *Manifesto* (1988), as Police Chief Hunt - *The Reluctant Dragon* (1987), as Dragon (voice) - *Maurice* (1987), as Mr. Ducie — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/maurice.md) - *Acting* (1987), series, Actor - *Cariani and the Courtesans* (1987), as Raimondi - *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Theodore Kemp — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md) - *The Christmas Tree* (1986), as Jacob Weinberg - *David Copperfield* (1986), series, as Wilkins Micawber - *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Raimondi - *Split Screen* (1986), series, Actor - *A Room with a View* (1986), as The Reverend Mr. Beebe — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/a-room-with-a-view.md) - *Dead Head* (1986), series, as Hugo Silver - *The Good Father* (1985), as Mark Varda - *Honour, Profit & Pleasure* (1985), as George Frideric Handel - *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Nathanial Quass - *Royal Variety Performance 1984* (1984), Actor - *Amadeus* (1984), as Emanuel Schikaneder — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/amadeus.md) - *Chance in a Million* (1984), series, as Tom Chance - *The Man of Destiny* (1981), as Napoleon - *Instant Enlightenment Including VAT* (1979), as Maximillian - *The Sunday Drama* (1977), series, as The Prince - *Victorian Scandals* (1976), series, as Duval - *Carry On Laughing* (1975), series, as Crew Member - *The Sweeney* (1975), series, as Detective Sergeant — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md) - *NOVA* (1974), series, as Galileo - *A Ghost Story for Christmas* (1971), series, as Aubrey Judd - *About A Bell*, Director - *The Amazing Maurice: The Waters of Life*, as Werewolf (voice) - *The Northumbria Mysteries*, series, as David — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-northumbria-mysteries.md) - *The Reformation of Sister Edith*, as Abbot Pentecost ## Gallery - ![British actor w:Simon Callow in 1989.](https://film.one/media/person/83901/gallery-135bce92127f.jpg) British actor w:Simon Callow in 1989. — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/Simon_Callow%2C_1989.jpg/1280px-Simon_Callow%2C_1989.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![British actor w:Simon Callow in 1989.](https://film.one/media/person/83901/gallery-bf8c61661018.jpg) British actor w:Simon Callow in 1989. — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/40/Simon_Callow%2C_1989_%28cropped%2C_with_signature%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Simon Callow](https://film.one/media/person/83901/gallery-38975f6a40e8.jpg) Simon Callow — Ash, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/Simon_Callow.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Simon Callow à la Cinémathèque française, le 18 octobre 2025.](https://film.one/media/person/83901/gallery-b50500f5b118.jpg) Simon Callow à la Cinémathèque française, le 18 octobre 2025. — ManoSolo13241324, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Simon_Callow_2025.jpg/1280px-Simon_Callow_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Simon Callow](https://film.one/media/person/83901/gallery-7e89f3c72ff5.jpg) Simon Callow — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 2 won - honorary doctorate 2010: honorary doctorate (won) - Theatre World Award 2002: Theatre World 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/simon-callow