Biography
Who is Ray Winstone?
Early life and background
Ray Winstone was born Raymond Andrew Winstone on February 19, 1957, in Homerton, United Kingdom. He grew up in London and later moved to Enfield when he was seven years old. His mother worked emptying fruit machines, while his father ran a fruit and vegetable business. During his childhood, he spent time playing with friends on empty plots of land with rubble from Second World War bombs.
He attended several schools including Portway infants and junior school, Brimsdown Primary School, and Edmonton County School. He also studied at the Corona Theatre School. Education did not come easily to him, and he eventually left school with a single CSE in drama. Before pursuing acting full time, he was a dedicated amateur boxer, joining the Repton Amateur Boxing Club at age 12 and winning numerous bouts over the following decade.
Acting training and early career
Deciding to pursue a path in drama, Ray enrolled at the Corona Stage Academy in Hammersmith at about age 17. His early theatrical experience included appearing as a Cockney newspaper seller in a production of Emil and the Detectives. In 1975, he landed his first professional role in What a Crazy World at the Theatre Royal, Stratford in London. Early television appearances followed, including a minor part in the police series The Sweeney.
His big break came when he auditioned for Alan Clarke's television play Scum in 1979. Director Alan Clarke cast him in the leading role of Carlin because of his confident, aggressive boxer's walk. The brutal depiction of a young offender's institution was initially banned by the BBC, leading to a cinematic release the same year that established his reputation for playing tough characters.
Major film and television roles
Throughout a career spanning five decades, Ray has appeared in a wide variety of television programs and films. He starred in the television serial Henry VIII in 2003 and appeared in the historical drama series Robin of Sherwood between 1984 and 1986. His film credits span multiple genres, featuring in British independent projects like Quadrophenia and Scum, as well as mainstream hits like Cold Mountain, King Arthur, and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
His performance as an abusive husband in Gary Oldman's drama Nil by Mouth earned him a BAFTA Award nomination for best actor in a leading role. In 2000, he took on the lead role of a retired thief in the crime film Sexy Beast, which brought him widespread international acclaim and introduced him to the American film industry. Later credits include roles in blockbusters such as Hugo, Snow White and the Huntsman, Black Widow, and Damsel.
Family and personal life
Ray Winstone is a British national born in the United Kingdom. His family includes his two children, Lois Winstone and Jaime Winstone, who followed him into the entertainment industry as actresses. Throughout his decades in the film and television industry, he has maintained a distinct screen presence rooted in his London origins.
Birthday and age
Ray Winstone was born on February 19, 1957, which makes Ray 69 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Ray shares the date with 30 other famous people.
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