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Benedict Cumberbatch is an Oscar-nominated (he earned a best actor nom for The Imitation Game) actor who has starred in countless recent films and is in the preproduction stages of many more.
But beyond his recognition as an A-list British actor, The Hollywood Reporter looks at five facts you probably didn’t know about Cumberbatch.
His Parents Are Both Actors
Cumberbatch grew up with professional-actor parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton. Both his parents portrayed their son’s onscreen parents in the British hit series Sherlock, in which Cumberbatch stars.
He Has a Master’s Degree in Classical Acting
After studying drama at Manchester University, the actor continued his pursuit of knowledge and training in the acting field at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, where he earned a master of fine arts degree in classical acting for the professional theater.
Marriage and Fatherhood in 2015
On June 13, Benedict and wife Sophie Hunter announced the birth of their first child, a son. The couple wed on Valentine’s Day on the Isle of Wight in England after knowing one another for 17 years. They welcomed their son four months later.
Awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire
As part of Queen Elizabeth II‘s 2015 Birthday Honours, Cumberbatch was honored with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire award, recognizing his service to the performing-arts industry and his charitable work.
He’s a Painter
During his high school years, Cumberbatch attended Harrow School in England. He earned a scholarship for art and painted oil canvases while attending. Since becoming a widely known actor, Cumberbatch has donated numerous small self-portraits to charitable auctions, according to The Telegraph.
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