Was a trained choir boy before becoming an actor. He was a first class English graduate from Gonville and Caius, Cambridge, UK.
Graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1983.
Appointed CBE in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
He was awarded The Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1996 (1995 season) for Best Supporting Performance for his performance in Volpone at the Royal National Theatre Olivier Stage.
He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2001 (2000 season) for Best Actor for his performance in Hamlet at the Royal National Theatre, Lyttelton Stage.
He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 2000 (1999 season) for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Candide at the Royal National Theatre, Olivier Stage.
He was nominated for a 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor of 1997 for his performance in Othello at the Royal National Theatre: Cottsloe stage.
He was awarded the 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor of 2002 for his performance in Uncle Vanya performed at the Donmar Warehouse.
He was nominated for a 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actor of 2001 for his performance in Humble Boy at the Royal National Theatre: Cottesloe.
He was awarded the 2002 London Critics Circle Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performances in Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night performed at the Donmar Warehouse.
He was awarded the 2000 John and Wendy Trewin Award at London Critics Circle Theatre Awards for Best Shakespearian Performance for his performance in Hamlet at the Royal National Theatre: Lyttelton.
He was awarded the 2000 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performance in Hamlet at the Royal National Theatre:Lyttelton.
He was awarded the 2002 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performances in Uncle Vanya and Twelfth Night performed at the Donmar Warehouse.
Was nominated for Broadway's 2004 Tony Award as Best Actor (Play) for a revival of Tom Stoppard's "Jumpers."
In the Independent on Sunday 2006 Pink List - a list of the most influential gay men and women - he came no. 30, up from 34.
