Mark Strong



British actor Mark Strong is especially known for his villainous performances — such as Prince Septimus in Stardust or Lord Blackwood in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes — though he has been playing the Knight in Shining Armor, a morally gray hitman, and pretty much everything in between as well. See (incomplete) list below.

If Guy Ritchie is working on a new project, it is safe to say that he at least considers his friend for a part in it. --


 * John Carter (2012) - Matai Shang
 * Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (2011) - Captain Titus
 * The Guard (2011) - Clive Cornell
 * Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) - Jim Prideaux
 * Green Lantern (2011) - Thaal Sinestro
 * The Borrower Arrietty (UK-dub 2011) - Pod
 * The Eagle (2011) - Guern
 * The Way Back (2011) - Khabarov
 * Robin Hood (2010) - Godfrey
 * Kick-Ass (2010) - Frank D'Amico
 * Sherlock Holmes (2009) - Lord Henry Blackwood
 * The Young Victoria (2009) - Sir John Conroy
 * Body of Lies (2008) - Hani
 * RocknRolla (2008) - Archy
 * Babylon A.D. (2008) - Finn
 * Flashbacks of a Fool (2008) - Mannie Miesel
 * Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) - Nick Cordorelli
 * Stardust (2007) - Septimus
 * Sunshine (2007) - Pinbacker
 * Tristan & Isolde (2006) - Wicktred
 * Syriana (2005) - Mussawi
 * Revolver (2005) - Sorter
 * The Long Firm (2004) - Harry Starks
 * Sunshine (1999) - István Sors
 * Fever Pitch (1997) - Steve
 * Emma (1996) - Mr. Knightley

tropes associated with him / his work provides examples of:

 * Ambiguously Tanned: This Austro-Italian Englishman has portrayed Jordanian and Lebanese men.
 * Badass Baritone: All he needs is an echo-y place to sound (even more) intimidating.
 * Bald of Awesome: Mark Strong in real life. He even said in a few interviews that losing his hair helped transition him from one-note lovers into the juicier villainous roles.
 * Berserk Button: You really don't want to find out how Septimus reacts to treason ... or being mocked. You wouldn't want to try it on Archy, either. And don't lie to Hani - might cost you a finger. Or two.
 * Bilingual Bonus: Mark Strong speaks fluently German due to his Austrian mother. You can hear an example here at 2:07.
 * Evidently some Italian too
 * Complete Monster: The villains he played are usually this.
 * Cute Kitten: In Low Winter Sun (2006), when Frank Agnew goes into Geddes apartment, a cat is randomly there for no other reason than to get a shot of Mark Strong holding a cat.
 * Mean Character, Nice Actor: He plays many villains, but he's super nice, and humble in real life.
 * Sharp-Dressed Man: Mark Strong at pretty much any film premiere he attends.
 * Smoking Is Cool: A few of his characters fall under here, but particular notice goes to Dr. Neil Barnard from Endgame (2009), who snaps the filters off his cigarettes before lighting up.
 * What Beautiful Eyes!: There are many, many shots in Low Winter Sun (2006) of Frank just staring intently at something. They are especially noticeable here, here, and here.