Kenneth Charles Branagh was born on the 10th December 1960, in Belfast, Northern Ireland UK, and is an Oscar-nominated actor, director, producer and writer, best known to the world for his roles in Shakespearian plays and films, such as in the title role of “Henry V” (1989), then as Iago in “Othello” (1995), and as Macbeth in “Macbeth” in 2013, among many other appearances.
Have you ever wondered how rich Kenneth Branagh is, as of mid- 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Branagh’s net worth is as high as $60 million, an amount earned through his successful career as an actor which began in the early ‘80s.
Kenneth Branagh Net Worth $60 Million
Born the middle child of William Branagh, and his wife Frances, he grew up in Belfast, however, caught by the Troubles, he and his family escaped to Reading, Berkshire, when he was nine years old. He received his primary education at Grove Primary School but then moved to Whiteknights Primary School, and Meadway School, Tilehurst. While at Meadway School, Kenneth appeared in “Toad of Toad Hall”, and “Oh, What a Lovely War!”, among other school plays. After high school, he joined Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.
Before he made his screen debut, Kenneth started building his name in theater, and featured in Julian Mitchell’s “Another Country” in 1982 as Judd, for which he received a SWET Award in the category Best Newcomer. Two years later, he appeared in “Henry V”, directed by Adrian Noble, then in 1987, he started in the Renaissance Theatre Company with David Parfitt, and soon enough started producing plays on his own, making an impact with “Twelfth Night”, with Richard Briers and Frances Barber in the lead roles. After these early successes, Kenneth pursued further his career in theater, and started a collaboration with Birmingham Rep in 1988 beginning Renaissance Shakespeare on the Road, which produced such hits as “Much Ado About Nothing”, and “Hamlet”.
Throughout his career, Kenneth has stayed active in theaters, appearing in such productions as “Look Back in Anger” (1989), “Richard III” (2002), and others, while in 2015 he started the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company, and has served as actor-manager of the company. He has produced several plays, including “The Winter’s Tale”, “Romeo and Juliet”, and “The Entertainer”, among others, the success of which also added to his wealth.
The fact that he became extremely popular on stage persuaded Kenneth to use that popularity and transfer himself onto the screen, which started in 1989 with the title role in “Henry V”, for which he received two Academy Award- nominations, and continued with the films “Dead Again” in 1991, and “Much Ado About Nothing” (1993), some of the earliest successes he had on screen. In 1994 he was Victor Frankenstein in the fantasy horror “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”, while in 1995 he portrayed Iago in “Othello”, and the next year played Hamlet, for which he also received an Academy Award- nomination, all of which added to his wealth.
In 1999 he had a role in the action comedy “Wild Wild West”, with Will Smith and Kevin Kline, while in 2000 he directed and featured in the romantic comedy “Love’s Labour’s Lost”, an update to Shakespeare’s classic novel, starring Alessandro Nivola, Alicia Silverstone and Natascha McElhone, and in the same year starred in the comedy “How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog”. The following year he was the lead in Frank Pearson’s Golden Globe Award-winning biographical drama “Conspiracy”, with Clare Bullus and Stanley Tucci, and continued with film roles, appearing in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” and “Rabbit-Proof Fence” in 2002, while in 2008 he was Major-General Henning von Tresckow in the historical thriller “Valkyrie”, starring Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy and Carice van Houten. Also in 2008, he was selected for the role of Kurt Wallander in the 12-episode TV series “Wallander” (2008-2015), which only further increased his wealth. Then in 2011 he appeared next to Michelle Williams, and Eddie Redmayne in Simon Curtis’ Academy Award- nominated biopic about Marilyn Monroe, entitled “My Week with Marilyn”, for which he received his fifth Academy Award- nomination, and three years later appeared in the action thriller “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit”, starring Chris Pine, Kevin Costner and Keira Knightley. Most recently, he will portray Commander Bolton in “Dunkirk”, and Hercule Poirot in “Murder on the Orient Express”, of which he will also be the director.
To speak of his directorial endeavors, apart from directing Shakespearian dramas, in 1994 he directed “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”, “Thor” in 2011, then “Cinderella” in 2015.
He has received numerous prestigious accolades, including being appointed a knight bachelor in the 2012 Birthday Honors for services to drama, and to the community in Northern Ireland.
Furthermore, Kenneth is only the second non-American actor, besides Roberto Benigni, to be nominated for an Academy award for acting, directing, and writing.
Regarding his personal life, Kenneth has been married to Lindsay Brunnock since 2003. Previously, he was married to Emma Thompson, from 1989 until 1995, and partnered with Helen Bonham Carter from 1994 to ’99. Aside from acting, Kenneth has been serving as President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art since 2015, succeeding Richard Attenborough.
