Oliver Parker
Biography
Biography
Born to English aristocracy (railroad executive Sir Peter Parker and writer Lady Gillian), director-screenwriter Oliver Parker transitioned from minor acting roles in films like "Hellbound: Hellraiser 2" and "Nuns on the Run" to a prolific career as a BAFTA Award-nominated filmmaker, acclaimed for his lush onscreen adaptations of British literary classics. The London theater vet first gained major notice in the U.K. with a recurring role on the long-running BBC medical drama "Casualty," though he achieved breakthrough success in movies with his feature directing debut, "Othello" (1995). The Shakespeare adaptation starred Laurence Fishburne as the Moor of Venice and Kenneth Branagh as the villainous Iago, a role Parker himself performed on stage early in his career. Critics praised Parker's sexually charged vision of the Bard's legendary tragedy, hailing the arrival of a bold new cinematic talent. He further solidified his reputation as a daring interpreter of canonized literature by writing and directing three films based on work by Oscar Wilde: BAFTA- and Golden Globe-nominated "An Ideal Husband" (1999) and "The Importance of Being Earnest" (2002), both starring Rupert Everett; and "Dorian Gray" (2009), featuring Ben Barnes as Wilde's diabolically vain hero. A producer and director of Ealing Studios' series of "St. Trinian's" girls' school comedies, Parker also took the helm of another U.K.-based film franchise, directing "Johnny English Reborn," the follow-up to comedian Rowan Atkinson's spy-spoof hit "Johnny English."
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Editing (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1986
Made acting debut with a bit role on the BBC series "A Very Peculiar Practice"
1990
Played a doctor in the comedy feature "Nuns on the Run"
1993
Landed a recurring role on the BBC drama "Casualty"
1995
Feature directorial debut, "Othello"; film starred Kenneth Branagh and Laurence Fishburne
1999
Directed the romantic comedy "An Ideal Husband," starring Rupert Everett; also wrote screenplay and acted in film
2002
Directed and wrote "The Importance Of Being Earnest"; once again starred Everett, along with Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon
2007
Co-directed and produced the comedy feature "St. Trinian's"
2009
Helmed the big screen adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray, starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth
2011
Directed Rowan Atkinson as the titular spy in the sequel "Johnny English Reborn"
Family
