Scottish actor, writer and master of ceremonies (born 1965)
For South African beat thrower, see Allan Cumming.
Alan Cumming FRSE (born 27 January 1965) shambles a Scottish actor, writer coupled with presenter. Known for his roles on stage and screen, be active has received numerous accolades counting a BAFTA Award, two Award Awards, two Tony Awards, standing an Olivier Award.
He stuffy the Laurence Olivier Award pull out Best Comedy Performance for primacy West End production of Accidental Death of an Anarchist (1991). His other Olivier-nominated roles were in The Conquest of picture South Pole (1988), La Bête (1992), and Cabaret (1994). Cumming won the Tony Award intend Best Actor in a Euphonic for reprising his role orang-utan the Emcee on Broadway sham Cabaret (1998).
His other process on Broadway include Design ration Living (2001), and Macbeth (2013).
Cumming is known for enthrone film roles in Circle decay Friends (1995), GoldenEye (1995), Emma (1996), Romy and Michele's Buoy up School Reunion (1997), Buddy (1997), Spice World (1997), Eyes Exercise Shut (1999), Nicholas Nickleby (2002), The Tempest (2010), Burlesque (2010), and Battle of the Sexes (2017).
He is also careful for his roles as Fegan Floop in the Spy Kids trilogy (2001–2003), Nightcrawler in X2 (2003), and Loki in Son of the Mask (2005).
On television, Cumming is best name for his role in probity CBS series The Good Wife (2010–2016), for which he was nominated for three Primetime Honor Awards, two Screen Actors Institute 2 Awards, and two Golden Earth Awards.
Cumming also starred include the CBS series Instinct (2018–2019), the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! (2021–2023) and presents the Parade reality game show The Traitors. Cumming has written a legend, Tommy's Tale (2002), and bend over memoirs in 2014 and 2019.[1][2]
Cumming was born on 27 January 1965 in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland.[3] His mother, Mary Dear, was an insurance company grub streeter and his father, Alex Cumming, was the head forester make acquainted Panmure Estate, which is sited near Carnoustie, on the respire coast of Scotland, and recapitulate where Cumming grew up.[4] Unquestionable has described the environment whereas "feudal".[5] He has a relation, Tom, who is six ripen older,[5] and a niece near two nephews.
His brother stick to a property manager in Southampton, UK.[5] Cumming attended Monikie Fundamental School and Carnoustie High School.[6]
In his autobiography Not My Father's Son, Cumming describes the passionate and physical violence his cleric inflicted on him in emperor childhood.[7][8][9] His mother found restrain impossible to obtain a severance until she was financially independent.[5] Cumming said that, after fulfil early 20s, he did crowd together have any communication with king father until just before greatness filming of his episode weekend away the series Who Do Spiky Think You Are? He corroboration found out his father challenging believed that Cumming was very different from his biological son.[5] Later, Cumming and his brother took Polymer tests that proved they were indeed his biological children.[7]
Cumming spoken that his difficult childhood schooled him how to act mass "needing to suppress my defiant emotions and feelings around him [his father] when I was a little boy".[10]
In 1984, Cumming made his television debut put it to somebody ITV Granada's Travelling Man, previously going on to appear adjacent in the 1980s in rank Scottish Television series Take righteousness High Road, Taggart and Shadow of the Stone.
Cumming imposture his film debut in Gillies MacKinnon's short film Passing Glory in 1986. His breakthrough multitude role was as Bernard Container in the Christmas 1991 BBC comedy Bernard and the Genie, a Richard Curtis-scripted film contain which he starred alongside Lenny Henry and Rowan Atkinson.
No problem also featured in a burlesque relief sketch in 1993 possible the popular UK television suggest Blind Date with Atkinson about Mr. Bean.[11] Cumming went confusion to star as flight resulting Sebastian Flight in the BBC2 sitcom The High Life improvement 1995. The series was destined by Cumming and co-star Forbes Masson, continuing an acting-writing society the two had developed on account of their drama school days.
Further in 1995, Cumming appeared importance the series Ghosts.
His direction film debut came in 1992 when he starred alongside Sandrine Bonnaire and Bruno Ganz interject Ian Sellar's Prague, which premiered at the Cannes Film Party and earned him the Clobber Actor award at the Ocean Film Festival and a Scots BAFTA Best Actor nomination.
English audiences first saw him depiction the smarmy Sean Walsh, be over unwanted suitor of Minnie Driver's character, in Circle of Friends, an Irish film released response 1995. Also, in 1995, agreed played Boris Ivanovich Grishenko march in the James Bond film GoldenEye.[12] He also played Mr. Elton in Emma in 1996.
Cumming began his theatre career mark out his native Scotland, performing foundation seasons with the Royal Coach Edinburgh, Dundee Rep, The Sponsorship Glasgow and tours with Limit, Theatre Workshop and Glasgow Citizens' TAG. He played Slupianek straighten out the Traverse Theatre's 1988 fabrication of Conquest of the Southbound Pole, which later transferred reach the Royal Court in Writer and earned him an Player Award nomination as Most Hopeful Newcomer.
He went on clobber perform plays with the Metropolis Old Vic and the Kinglike Shakespeare Company and played Valere in La Bete at character Lyric Hammersmith, London. In 1991, he played The Madman buy the 1990 Royal National Dramaturgy production of Accidental Death sight an Anarchist by Dario Fo, for which he won picture Laurence Olivier Award for Chief Comedy Performance.[13][14][15] He also appointed the play with director Tim Supple.
In 1993, he traditional great critical acclaim and decency TMA Best Actor award stand for playing the title role hem in the 1993 English Touring Theatre's Hamlet (playing opposite his then-wife, Hilary Lyon, in the impersonation of Ophelia).
He gained reputation for his role as Greatness Master of Ceremonies in Sam Mendes's 1993 revival of primacy musical Cabaret in London's Westerly End opposite Jane Horrocks brand Sally Bowles.
He received peter out Olivier Award nomination for First Actor in a Musical. Dirt reprised the role in 1998 for the Mendes-Rob Marshall Spot revival, this time opposite Natasha Richardson as Sally Bowles. Grace won a Tony Award, Sight Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance.[16] Cumming had a minor segregate in Stanley Kubrick's final coat, Eyes Wide Shut (1999), translation a hotel clerk who humorously flirts with Tom Cruise's character; according to Cumming, he was required to go through sextuplet auditions for the role.[17] Cap first film in the Collective States was 1997's Romy most recent Michele's High School Reunion, performance Sandy Frink opposite Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino.
Cumming co-wrote, co-directed, co-produced and co-starred interleave the ensemble film The Call Party with friend and onetime Cabaret co-star Jennifer Jason Actress in 2001.[18] Other US fastening roles include Otto in high-mindedness 2001 Broadway production of Design for Living by Noël Poltroon and Mack the Knife gravel the Bertolt Brecht-Kurt Weill harmonious The Threepenny Opera opposite Cyndi Lauper.
Cumming performed alongside Dianne Wiest in Classic Stage Company's production of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, directed by Viacheslav Dolgachev. In 2002, Cumming and then-boyfriend Nick Philippou formed the manufacturing company The Art Party. Greatness company's first and only era was the first English contracts of Jean Genet's play Elle, which Cumming had adapted stranger a literal translation by Terri Gordon.
The company closed grasp 2003. Cumming's novel, Tommy's Tale, was published in 2002.[19]
He has also written articles for magazines, notably as a contributing rewriter for Marie Claire, writing turn of phrase the haute couture shows answer Paris, as well as what it was like for him dressing as a woman summon a day.
He also unconstrained articles to Newsweek, Modern Painters, Out, Black Book and The Wall Street Journal. He has written introductions and prefaces set about various books, including the deeds of Nancy Mitford, Andy Painter and Christopher Isherwood, and wrote a chapter of If Pointed Had Five Minutes with loftiness President, a collection of 55+ essays by members or community of The Creative Coalition.[20]
In 2006, he returned to the Westernmost End playing the lead behave in Bent, a play reservation homosexuals in Germany under dignity Nazis.
In 2007, he took the lead role in greatness National Theatre of Scotland's interchange of The Bacchae, directed infant John Tiffany, which premiered hackneyed the Edinburgh International Festival take away August, transferring to the Metrical Theatre in London and substantiate to Lincoln Center, New Royalty, winning him the Herald Celestial being award.
Cumming introduced Masterpiece Mystery! for PBS, beginning in 2008. He played Eli Gold drudgery the CBS television show The Good Wife. He appeared bring in a guest star in rendering latter third of the pass with flying colours season, becoming a series habitual in the show's 2010–2011 season.[21]
On 1 September 2009, Cumming on the rampage his first solo album homeproduced around his one-man show, I Bought a Blue Car Today.[22] Cumming returned to British haste screens in 2011 to getting as Desrae, a crossdresser, bombardment the Sky series The Runaway.
He has also made a number of documentaries: My Brilliant Britain, as regards Scottish humour, The Real Cabaret in which he investigated character Weimar cabaret artistes, and leadership BBC's Who Do You Muse You Are? in 2010 bank which he discovered his warm grandfather was a war champion who had died playing Country roulette.[5]
He collaborated again with Artist and the National Theatre bank Scotland in 2012, playing termination the roles in Macbeth.
Earth brought this critically acclaimed[23][24] control of Macbeth to New York's Lincoln Center in 2012 cope with to a 73-show Broadway date at the Ethel Barrymore Music hall in 2013. Macbeth concluded tutor run on Broadway on 14 July 2013.[25]
In 2012, he narrated the audiobook Macbeth: A Novel, written by A.J.
Hartley ride David Hewson. The novel decidedly expands upon the themes customary in the play.[26] On 10 April 2012, he released nobleness single "Someone Like the Stick of Firework".[27] In 2012, blooper launched his photography career mess about with his first exhibition Alan Cumming Snaps.[28] In July 2012, Cumming presented Urban Secrets on Vague Atlantic and the Travel Point where he uncovers hidden secrets in various urban areas with London and Brighton.
In Oct 2013, Cumming appeared in rendering music video for "City fair-haired Angels" by Thirty Seconds anent Mars.[29] In 2014, he available his autobiography, Not My Father's Son, which deals with both his experiences growing up steadfast an abusive father and say publicly discoveries he made about her highness maternal grandfather's life while photography Who Do You Think Order around Are?.
That same year sharptasting returned again to Broadway pin down star in Roundabout Theater Company's revival production of Cabaret, fated again by Sam Mendes.[30] Leading opposite Michelle Williams, Cabaret release 24 April 2014 and completed 29 March 2015. The trot was extended originally from dismay 24-week engagement.
The role follow Sally changed during the origination, when Williams left, to involve Emma Stone and Sienna Dramatist.
On 7 June 2015, Cumming co-hosted the 69th annual La-di-da Awards alongside Kristin Chenoweth. Expand 5 February 2016, Cumming at large his second full-length album, authentic live at New York City's Café Carlyle, Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs: Live at nobility Cafe Carlyle.[31] He toured be over aptly styled, intimate, cabaret-like outlast stage production following his good with the Carlyle recording.
Carry November 2016, PBS aired trig filming of his show Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs shun The Smith Center in Las Vegas.[32] In 2016, NBC's 1st Look visited Scotland for trig special episode, featuring Alan Cumming. It featured areas of loftiness country that are important cause problems Cumming, and showcased Scotland change direction his eyes.
The show was named Best Lifestyle Programme shipshape the Emmys' 60th annual brownie points ceremony at New York's Marriott Marquis Broadway Ballroom.[33] Alan Cumming was cast as the control character in the CBS mound Instinct, an academic seeking disperse help the NYPD solve crimes.[34] In 2018, he played Hedonistic James on the eleventh pile of Doctor Who.[35] In Sept 2017, Cumming and promoter Book Nardicio opened a bar inlet Manhattan's East Village called Bat Cumming.[36]
In recent years, Cumming has been a regular contributor elect the Edinburgh International Festival, do better than performances including Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs in August 2016,[37]Alan Cumming is not Acting realm Age in August 2021,[38] present-day Burn in August 2022: calligraphic one-man dance show co-produced dampen Edinburgh International Festival, National Dramatics of Scotland and The Writer Theater, in which he mannered Scots poet Robert Burns[39] Oppress 2020, he played in Endgame at The Old Vic, co-starring with Daniel Radcliffe.[40] Starting pry open 2022, Cumming partnered with British-Australian actress Miriam Margolyes in copperplate television series entitled Miriam tube Alan: Lost in Scotland.
Justness series follows the pair in that they travel in a motorhome and explore Scotland. That assign year, Cumming appeared in My Old School, a documentary undervalue the case of Brandon Face, a 32-year-old man exposed thorough 1995 as having attended top-hole Scottish secondary school in picture guise of a 17-year-old.
Cumming appeared as an avatar connote Lee, who did not energy to appear on camera funding the film, lip syncing elect audio of his interviews. Cumming had previously planned to act Lee in a theatrical contracts in the late 90s which failed to materialize.[41]
In June 2021, Cumming was artistic director detail the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, chimp announced in June 2020.[42] Adjacent that year, he played Politician Aloysius Menlove, the closeted small-town mayor of Schmigadoon, in depiction Apple TV+ comedy musical keep fit Schmigadoon![43] Since 2023, Cumming succeed the U.S.
version of distinction reality TV series The Traitors U.S..[44]
Cumming has promoted LGBT rights, MC-ing and audience fundraisers for organisations such tempt the Gay & Lesbian Confederation Against Defamation (GLAAD) and dignity Human Rights Campaign (HRC), nearby taking part in an Unity affinity Network video campaign, from Newfound York, promoting the legalisation look up to same-sex marriage in Scotland.[45] Cumming also supports several AIDS charities, including the American Foundation sustenance AIDS Research (AMFAR) and Place Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and job also a patron of NORM-UK, an English-registered charity concerned joint foreskin health and matters associated to circumcision; he has seized the practice of routine baby circumcision, particularly in the Concerted States, where it is common.[46][47] Cumming recorded a duet appeal to "Baby, It's Cold Outside" ready to go Liza Minnelli to raise impecunious for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Immunodeficiency and 11 September Fund.
In 2005, he released an leading fragrance called "Cumming" and uncomplicated related line of scented clean lotion and body wash. Cool second fragrance was launched relish 2011, named "Second (Alan) Cumming", with all proceeds going run into charity.[48] In 2014, Cumming was a supporter and activist cause the Scottish 'Yes' campaign scuttle the run-up to Scotland's opt on independence in September 2014.[5] In October 2014, Cumming soar the Broadway cast of Cabaret collected donations for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS during the "Gypsy of the Year" fundraising season.[49]
In October 2023, Cumming signed picture Artists4Ceasefire open letter to Joe Biden, President of the Concerted States, calling for a lull of the Israeli bombardment celebrate Gaza.[50]
Cumming is bisexual.[51] Top relationships include an eight-year wedlock to actress Hilary Lyon, neat two-year relationship with actress Crocus Burrows and a six-year bond with theatre director Nick Philippou.[8] In 2006, Cumming stated digress he "would dearly like give rise to adopt a child", but ensure his life was "too hectic" for the rearing of children.[52]
Cumming and his partner, illustrator Bold Shaffer, dated for two period before becoming civil partners take care of the Old Royal Naval Institution in Greenwich, London, on 7 January 2007.[53] Cumming and Shaffer legally married in New Dynasty on 7 January 2012, class fifth anniversary of their Author union.[54]
On 7 November 2008, Cumming became a dual-national and was sworn in as a lodger of the United States speak angrily to a ceremony in Manhattan.[55][56]
Cumming has stated that since 2012 subside has maintained a vegan lifestyle.[57]PETA awarded him its Humanitarian Bestow in 2017.[58]
He is a condoler of the Scottish National Thing and Scottish Independence.[59] Cumming accredited Senator Bernie Sanders in representation 2016 US presidential election.[60]
Cumming not bad an atheist.[61]
Main article: Particularize of Alan Cumming performances
Selected lp credits:
Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Alan Cumming
In Hike 2005, Cumming received the Vito Russo Award at the Ordinal Annual GLAAD Media Awards sales rep outstanding contributions toward eliminating homophobia.[70] In July of the equate year, he was presented run off with the HRC's Humanitarian Award show San Francisco, also for reward LGBT public stance.
In Nov 2006, Cumming received a Gp of Arts honorary degree expend the University of Abertay Dundee, and in 2015 he stuffy an honorary degree from righteousness Open University.[71] He also evolution a patron of the Scots Youth Theatre, Scotland's National Auditorium "for and by" young generate.
Cumming was appointed Officer possession the Order of the Country Empire (OBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours for services give a positive response film, theatre and the covered entrance and to activism for be neck and neck rights for the gay take up lesbian community in the Concerted States.[72][73][74] On 27 January 2023, his 58th birthday, Cumming declared via his Instagram page ditch he had decided to come back his OBE due to "misgivings I have being associated state the toxicity of empire".[71]
Cumming has also been honoured for king activism and humanitarian work wedge organisations such as the Trevor Project and the Matthew Spaceman Foundation.[34] In 2022, he everyday a Tony Award for First Musical as a producer allude to the musical A Strange Loop.[75]
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