What is Ben Kingsley’s Net Worth?
Sir Ben Kingsley, the prolific English actor, has a net worth of $60 million. He has appeared in numerous films, stage productions, and television programs over his career, and began his acting journey in the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967. Kingsley is best known for his Oscar-winning lead performance in “Gandhi,” as well as for his work in acclaimed films like “Schindler’s List,” “Sexy Beast,” and “House of Sand and Fog.”
Early Life and Career
Ben Kingsley, born as Krishna Pandit Bhanji in 1943 in Snainton, Yorkshire, England, is the son of an English actress and model Anna Lyna Mary and a doctor of Gujarati Indian descent Rahimtulla Harji Bhanji. He attended the Manchester Grammar School in Manchester and later De La Salle College in Salford.
Kingsley made his professional stage debut at the age of 23 and declined an offer from music producer and manager Dick James to become a pop star. Instead, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967, where he spent the next 15 years. During this time, he starred in various Shakespeare productions, including “As You Like It,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Richard III,” “The Tempest,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Hamlet,” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” He also starred in Peter Hall’s 1977 production of “Volpone” and a 1982 production of “Death of a Salesman” in Sydney.
Ben Kingsley’s Acting Career
Ben Kingsley made his film debut in 1972’s “Fear is the Key,” transitioning from stage to screen. His breakthrough came a decade later, starring as Mohandas Gandhi in the 1982 biopic “Gandhi,” for which he won numerous awards, including the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Oscar for Best Actor. Kingsley’s other notable films from the 80s include “Betrayal,” “Harem,” “Turtle Diary,” “Maurice,” “Pascali’s Island,” “Without a Clue,” and “Slipstream.”
In the 90s, Kingsley earned his second Academy Award nomination for his performance in the 1991 crime film “Bugsy” and had supporting roles in “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” “Dave,” and “Schindler’s List.” His later credits from the 90s include “Species,” “The Assignment,” “Photographing Fairies,” “The Confession,” and “Parting Shots.”
Ben Kingsley’s Career Highlights
Ben Kingsley had a successful start to the 2000s, appearing in four films, including “Spooky House,” “What Planet Are You From?,” “Rules of Engagement,” and the highly acclaimed black comedy crime film “Sexy Beast,” which earned him his third Academy Award nomination for his performance as gangster Don Logan.
In 2003, Kingsley received his fourth Academy Award nomination for his role in the psychological drama “House of Sand and Fog” as an Iranian refugee and former colonel. He went on to appear in a range of films, including “Thunderbirds,” “Suspect Zero,” “A Sound of Thunder,” “Lucky Number Slevin,” “You Kill Me,” “Elegy,” “The Love Guru,” “The Wackness,” and “Transsiberian.”
In the early 2010s, Kingsley’s notable credits include Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” and “Hugo,” the action fantasy “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,” the political satire “The Dictator,” and the Marvel superhero film “Iron Man 3.” He also appeared in “Ender’s Game,” “A Common Man,” “Walking with the Enemy,” “A Birder’s Guide to Everything,” “War Story,” “Learning to Drive,” and “Exodus: Gods and Kings.”
Kingsley’s credits later in the decade include “Self/less,” “The Walk,” “An Ordinary Man,” “Operation Finale,” “Night Hunter,” and “Spider in the Web.”
Television Career
During the 60s and 70s, Kingsley appeared in various British television shows, including “Orlando,” “Coronation Street,” “Play for Today,” and “The Love School.” He also had a recurring role on “Crown Court” from 1976 to 1979. In the 80s, Kingsley gained recognition for his performances in TV movies such as “Silas Marner” and “Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story,” which earned him Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations.
In the 90s, Kingsley continued to star in television movies and miniseries, including “Joseph,” “Moses,” and “Sweeney Todd.” He also received award nominations for his roles in “Anne Frank: The Whole Story,” “Mrs. Harris,” and “Tut” in the 2000s and 2010s, although he worked less frequently on television during this time.
Ben Kingsley’s Marriages and Divorces
In 1966, Kingsley married actress Angela Morant and had two children with her. The couple divorced in 1976. He then married theater director Alison Sutcliffe and had two more children. They divorced in 1992. Kingsley married Alexandra Christmann next, but they divorced in 2005 after photos of her with another man surfaced online. Kingsley’s latest marriage was to Brazilian actress Daniela Lavender in 2007.
