Ray Winstone

Raymond Andrew Winstone was born on February 19, 1957, in Hackney Hospital, London. His family relocated to Enfield when he was seven, where his parents operated a fruit and vegetable business. Winstone developed an early interest in boxing, joining the Repton Amateur Boxing Club at age twelve. He achieved notable success in amateur boxing, becoming a three-time London Schoolboy Champion at welterweight and representing England twice. Across ten years, he accumulated over 80 medals and trophies in the sport. Simultaneously, Winstone pursued acting, studying at the Corona School.

His acting career began to gain traction when director Alan Clarke cast him as Carlin in the 1979 BBC Play production of “Scum,” a role he reprised for the film adaptation. This foundational role established his presence in intense, character-driven dramas. Over the subsequent decades, Winstone appeared in numerous television series, including “Robin of Sherwood” (1984-1986), “Birds of a Feather” (1989), and “Vincent” (2005), for which he received an International Emmy Award. His film career expanded significantly after his role in Gary Oldman’s “Nil by Mouth” (1997), earning him a BAFTA nomination for Best Actor. He further solidified his reputation with performances in films such as “Sexy Beast” (2000), “The Departed” (2006) directed by Martin Scorsese, and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” (2008) by Steven Spielberg.

Winstone has also undertaken various voiceover roles, including Mr. Beaver in “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005), Rango in “Rango” (2011), and Papa Bear in “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (2022). His distinctive voice and acting style have allowed him to navigate diverse projects, from animated features to major Hollywood blockbusters and independent films. In addition to acting, Winstone has ventured into production, co-founding Size 9 and Flicks production companies. Upcoming projects include executive producer roles for “Untitled Jimmy White Biopic” and “It’s a F*cking Liberty.”