Mark Strong

*If a slap don't work, you cut 'em or you pay 'em, but you keep your receipts, cos this ain't the Mafia.* - Archy

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.