Allan Corduner's life began in Stockholm, Sweden, where he was born to a German mother and a Russo-Finnish father. However, his early years were marked by a significant change of scenery, as his parents relocated to England when he was just one year old. This move would ultimately shape his upbringing, as he grew up in the vibrant city of London.
Corduner's parents were both artistic in nature, which likely influenced his early aspirations to become a concert pianist. In fact, he still possesses impressive piano skills to this day. Despite this, after attending Bristol University, he opted to pursue a career in the performing arts, rather than the world of music. He then went on to train at the renowned Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Throughout his career, Corduner has worked extensively in both the United Kingdom and the United States, making a name for himself on both stage and screen. Among his numerous credits, he is perhaps most well-known for his portrayal of Sir Arthur Sullivan in the 1999 film "Topsy-Turvy," opposite Jim Broadbent's iconic performance as Gilbert.