Andy Serkis is a renowned English film actor, director, and author, known for his remarkable performance capture roles in various films and television shows. Born on April 20, 1964, in Ruislip Manor, West London, England, Serkis has a unique background, having spent his early years in Iraq and London.
Serkis began his professional acting career at the Duke's Playhouse in Lancaster, where he performed in 14 plays as an apprentice of Jonathan Petherbridge. He then worked in touring theatre companies, moving to new towns every week, fueled by his enthusiasm and passion for acting.
In the 1990s, Serkis started making a name for himself on the London stage, appearing at the Royal Court Theatre as "The Fool" in "King Lear" and as "Potts" in the hit play "Mojo". He also made his television debut in 1987 and acted in several major British TV miniseries throughout the 1990s.
Serkis's breakthrough role came in 1999 when he landed the iconic part of "Gollum" in Peter Jackson's epic film trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings". He spent four years in the part, receiving awards and nominations for his performance, which was a collaborative effort between Serkis's work in performance capture and the Weta Digital studio in New Zealand.
Serkis's work in performance capture continued with his roles as "King Kong" in the 2005 film, "Caesar" in the "Planet of the Apes" franchise, and "Supreme Leader Snoke" in "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens". He has also appeared in various other films and television shows, including "13 Going on 30", "The Prestige", and "Inkheart".
Apart from his acting career, Serkis is an accomplished amateur painter and has a passion for mountaineering. He is a pescetarian and has been involved in charitable causes, including The Hope Foundation. Serkis is married to actress and singer Lorraine Ashbourne and has three children with her. He currently resides in North London, England.
