Next person biography:
Benedict Taylor was born in Hampstead, London, to a family of creatives. His father, Richard Taylor, was a producer of BBC documentary features, and his mother, Allegra Taylor, was a writer and musician. Benedict's parents were both from mixed backgrounds - his father's family was of traditional English farming stock, while his mother's family had Polish, Jewish, and Protestant roots.
Benedict has five siblings, three of whom were adopted. Growing up, he and his siblings were immersed in the arts, with their parents encouraging them to pursue their creative interests. This led to a number of his siblings developing careers in the creative industries.
Benedict began his acting career at the age of nine, when he appeared in a production of "A Winter's Tale" at the Aldwych Theatre in London, alongside Judi Dench. He continued to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company throughout the 1970s, appearing in a number of productions in London and Stratford.
In the 1970s, Benedict made his film debut in the feature film "The Turn of the Screw." However, it was his role in the 1980 film "A Watcher in the Woods" that helped launch his film career. This was followed by a lead role in the TV series "Barriers," which was broadcast in both the UK and Germany.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Benedict worked on a number of UK and international film and TV projects, while also maintaining a passion for theatre. He toured the UK with several productions and was a member of the Donmar Warehouse in Covent Garden during the artistic directorship of Sam Mendes.
In his personal life, Benedict has been married to video and film editor Kate since his 20s. The couple has two daughters, Freya and Kalila, and a son, Jay, from a previous relationship. Benedict took a break from his career to focus on his family, during which time he developed and produced a number of music and documentary projects.
Today, Benedict continues to work as an actor, producer, and director across a variety of creative platforms. He is the CEO of GIVE production and House of Honey, which delivers high-quality music and arts events in the UK and supports emerging talent.
