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Charles Dance

Acting Born Oct 10, 1946 Redditch, Worcestershire, England, UK 194 credits

Biography

Walter Charles Dance is an English actor, film director, and screenwriter born on October 10, 1946, in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. Recognized for his portrayals of intimidating, authoritarian characters and villains, he has established a long-standing career in the entertainment industry. In 2006, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama. Known for his extensive body of work, he has accumulated 191 known credits throughout his professional career in film and television. He is frequently identified by audiences for his performance as Tywin Lannister in the television series Game of Thrones.

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Career

Career overview

Charles Dance began his professional acting career on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He transitioned into feature films with his debut in the 1981 James Bond production For Your Eyes Only. Throughout his career, he has appeared in a variety of film projects, including The Golden Child, Alien 3, Michael Collins, Gosford Park, The Imitation Game, Mank, and The King's Man. His filmography reflects a consistent presence in critically acclaimed period dramas and other major motion pictures.

Beyond his work in cinema, Dance has maintained a significant presence in television. He is widely recognized for his role as Tywin Lannister in the series Game of Thrones. In addition to his acting work, he has expanded his professional contributions to include directing and screenwriting. With a career spanning several decades, he remains a prominent figure in British drama, noted for his ability to embody complex and authoritative characters across a wide range of media.

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Frequent co-stars

Career timeline

The Batman: Part II
Ladies FirstThe Big Fat Quiz of Telly
WildcatFrankensteinCreditors
The Day of the JackalThe First OmenTestament: The Story of MosesChurchill at WarHammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters
Rabbit HoleSavage Waters
The SandmanThe Serpent QueenThis EnglandAgainst the IceLancaster
The King's ManMoleyThe Book Of VisionThe Magic of the Movies: Behind the Scenes of David Fincher's Mank
Rise of Empires: OttomanMankThe Singapore Grip
Godzilla: King of the MonstersIron MaskThe WidowFanny Lye Deliver'dMaster Moley by Royal Invitation
Johnny English Strikes AgainThe Little Drummer GirlHang UpsEuphoriaThe Woman in White
That Good NightWimbledon Official Film 2017
The CrownMe Before YouGhostbustersUnderworld: Blood WarsPride and Prejudice and Zombies
And Then There Were NoneChild 44Childhood's EndVictor FrankensteinDeadline Gallipoli
The Imitation GameDracula UntoldThe Great FireForbidden EmpireRetrospective
Justin and the Knights of ValourFather's DayWas It Something I Said?The Relics of BuddhaPatrick
Underworld: AwakeningSecret StateThe MapmakerMidnight's ChildrenSt George's Day
Game of ThronesCelebrity Antiques Road TripIroncladYour HighnessNeverland
Strike BackGoing PostalDrama TrailsThe CommuterParis Connections
Trinity
MerlinDickens' Secret Lover
Would I Lie to You?The ContractorFallen AngelInterventionThe 50 Greatest Television Dramas
The One ShowJam and JerusalemScoopStarter for 10Twice Upon a Time
Bleak HouseFingersmithTo the Ends of the EarthLast RightsTitanic: Birth of a Legend
Agatha Christie's MarpleWho Do You Think You Are?Saint John Bosco Mission to LoveLadies in Lavender · DirectorLadies in Lavender · Screenplay
Swimming PoolHenry VIIIWreckage and Rage: Making 'Alien³'Looking for Victoria
Top GearFoyle's WarAli G IndahouseDan Dare: Pilot of the FutureBlack and White
Gosford ParkThe Life and Adventures of Nicholas NicklebyDark Blue WorldThe Life and Adventures of Nicholas NicklebyAlien Evolution
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes
Don't Go Breaking My HeartChrono-Perambulator
Hilary and JackieWhat Rats Won't Do

Full filmography

  • The Batman: Part II (2028) as Charles Dent
  • Ladies First (2026) as Fred Powell
  • The Big Fat Quiz of Telly (2026) as Self - Guest
  • Wildcat (2025) as Frasier Mahoney
  • Frankenstein (2025) as Leopold Frankenstein
  • Creditors (2025) as Gustaf
  • The Day of the Jackal (2024) as Timothy Winthrop
  • The First Omen (2024) as Father Harris
  • Testament: The Story of Moses (2024) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Churchill at War (2024) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters (2024) as Narrator
  • Rumours (2024) as Edison Wolcott
  • Samaná Sunrise (2024) as Noah Blum
  • The Big Fat Quiz of Telly (2024) as Self
  • Renaissance: The Blood and the Beauty (2024) as Old Michaelangelo
  • Rabbit Hole (2023) as Dr. Ben Wilson
  • Savage Waters (2023)
  • The Sandman (2022) as Roderick Burgess
  • The Serpent Queen (2022) as Clement VII
  • This England (2022) as Max Hastings
  • Against the Ice (2022) as Minister Neergaard
  • Lancaster (2022) as Narrator (voice)
  • The Hanging Sun (2022) as Jacob
  • Portrait of the Queen (2022)
  • The King's Man (2021) as Kitchener
  • Moley (2021) as Mr. Moley (voice)
  • The Book Of Vision (2021) as Dr. Johan Anmuth
  • The Magic of the Movies: Behind the Scenes of David Fincher's Mank (2021) as Self
  • Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Mank (2020) as William Randolph Hearst
  • The Singapore Grip (2020) as Mr Webb
  • Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) as Alan Jonah
  • Iron Mask (2019) as Lord Dudley
  • The Widow (2019) as Martin Benson
  • Fanny Lye Deliver'd (2019) as John Lye
  • Master Moley by Royal Invitation (2019) as Mr. James Moley (voice)
  • Johnny English Strikes Again (2018) as Agent Seven
  • The Little Drummer Girl (2018) as Commander Picton
  • Hang Ups (2018) as Jeremy Pitt
  • Euphoria (2018) as Mr. Daren
  • The Woman in White (2018) as Frederick Fairlie
  • Spitfire (2018) as Narrator (voice)
  • Happy New Year, Colin Burstead (2018) as Uncle Bertie
  • The Muppets Take The O2 (2018) as Self
  • That Good Night (2017) as The Visitor
  • Wimbledon Official Film 2017 (2017) as Narrator (voice)
  • The Crown (2016) as Lord Mountbatten
  • Me Before You (2016) as Stephen Traynor
  • Ghostbusters (2016) as Harold Fillmore
  • Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) as Thomas
  • Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) as Mr. Bennet
  • Savage Kingdom (2016) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Despite the Falling Snow (2016) as Old Alexander Ivanov
  • And Then There Were None (2015) as Justice Lawrence Wargrave
  • Child 44 (2015) as Major Grachev
  • Childhood's End (2015) as Karellen
  • Victor Frankenstein (2015) as Frankenstein
  • Deadline Gallipoli (2015) as Sir Ian Hamilton
  • Woman in Gold (2015) as Sherman
  • Admiral (2015) as King Charles II
  • Game of Thrones The IMAX Experience (2015) as Tywin Lannister
  • Instruments of Darkness (2015) as Duncan
  • The Imitation Game (2014) as Commander Denniston
  • Dracula Untold (2014) as Master Vampire
  • The Great Fire (2014) as Lord Denton
  • Forbidden Empire (2014) as Lord Dudley
  • Retrospective (2014) as Jonathan Hoyle
  • Justin and the Knights of Valour (2013) as Legantir (voice)
  • Father's Day (2013) as Don
  • Was It Something I Said? (2013) as Self - Narrator
  • The Relics of Buddha (2013) as Narrator (voice)
  • Patrick (2013) as Doctor Roget
  • Speeches That Shook the World (2013) as Self
  • The Science of Doctor Who (2013) as Self
  • Underworld: Awakening (2012) as Thomas
  • Secret State (2012) as John Hodder
  • The Mapmaker (2012) as Rowan
  • Midnight's Children (2012) as William Methwold
  • St George's Day (2012) as Trenchard
  • The Door (2012) as Thomas Arlington
  • Game of Thrones (2011) as Tywin Lannister
  • Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2011) as Self - Participant
  • Ironclad (2011) as Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury
  • Your Highness (2011) as King Tallious
  • Neverland (2011) as Dr. Fludd
  • There Be Dragons (2011) as Solono
  • Rosamunde Pilcher's Shades of Love (2011) as Edmund Aird
  • Strike Back (2010) as Conrad Knox
  • Going Postal (2010) as Lord Vetinari
  • Drama Trails (2010)
  • The Commuter (2010) as The Traffic Warden
  • Paris Connections (2010) as Aleksandr Borinski
  • The Clerk's Tale (2010) as Ralph
  • Trinity (2009) as Dr. Edmund Maltravers
  • Merlin (2008) as Aredian
  • Dickens' Secret Lover (2008) as Self - Narrator (voice)
  • Would I Lie to You? (2007) as Self
  • The Contractor (2007) as DCS Andrew Windsor
  • Fallen Angel (2007) as David Byfield
  • Intervention (2007) as Private Investigator
  • The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (2007) as Self
  • Consenting Adults (2007) as Jack Wolfenden
  • The One Show (2006) as Self
  • Jam and Jerusalem (2006) as Self
  • Scoop (2006) as Mr. Malcolm
  • Starter for 10 (2006) as Michael Harbinson
  • Twice Upon a Time (2006) as Battar Master of Ceremonies
  • Bleak House (2005) as Mr. Tulkinghorn
  • Fingersmith (2005) as Mr. Chistopher Lilly
  • To the Ends of the Earth (2005) as Sir Henry Somerset
  • Last Rights (2005) as Richard Wheeler
  • Titanic: Birth of a Legend (2005) as Narrator (voice)
  • Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Septimus Bligh
  • Who Do You Think You Are? (2004) as Self
  • Saint John Bosco Mission to Love (2004) as Marchese Clementi
  • Ladies in Lavender (2004) Director
  • Ladies in Lavender (2004) Screenplay
  • Ladies in Lavender (2004) Executive Producer
  • Saint John Bosco Mission to Love (2004) as Marchese Clementi
  • Swimming Pool (2003) as John Bosload
  • Henry VIII (2003) as Edward Stafford
  • Wreckage and Rage: Making 'Alien³' (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • Looking for Victoria (2003) as Charles Greville
  • Top Gear (2002) as Self
  • Foyle's War (2002) as Guy Spencer
  • Ali G Indahouse (2002) as Deputy Prime Minister David Carlton
  • Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future (2002) as Colonel Simon Lasker (voice)
  • Black and White (2002) as Roderic Chamberlain
  • The Making of Gosford Park (2002) as Self (uncredited)
  • Gosford Park (2001) as Raymond Stockbridge
  • The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) as Ralph Nickleby
  • Dark Blue World (2001) as Wing Commander Bentley
  • The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) as Ralph Nickleby
  • Alien Evolution (2001) as Self / Clemens
  • Jurij (2001)
  • Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000)
  • Murder Rooms: The Dark Beginnings of Sherlock Holmes (2000) as Sir Henry Carlyle
  • Don't Go Breaking My Heart (1999) as Frank
  • Chrono-Perambulator (1999) as James 'Dougie' Douglas
  • Hilary and Jackie (1998) as Derek du Pré
  • What Rats Won't Do (1998) as Gerald Burton Jr
  • Rebecca (1997) as Maxim de Winter
  • The Blood Oranges (1997) as Cyril
  • In the Presence of Mine Enemies (1997) as Captain Richter
  • Michael Collins (1996) as Soames
  • Space Truckers (1996) as Nabel / Macanudo
  • Undertow (1996) as Lyle Yates
  • The Surgeon (1995) as Dr. Ed Mittlesbay
  • Room 101 (1994) as Self
  • China Moon (1994) as Rupert Munro
  • Shortcut to Paradise (1994) as Quinn
  • Kabloonak (1994) as Robert Flaherty
  • Last Action Hero (1993) as Benedict
  • Century (1993) as Professor Mandry
  • Alien³ (1992) as Clemens
  • La valle di pietra (1992) as Surveyor
  • The Phantom of the Opera (1990) as Erik/The Phantom
  • Goldeneye (1989) as Ian Fleming
  • First Born (1988) as Edward Forester
  • Pascali's Island (1988) as Anthony Bowles
  • Out of the Shadows (1988) as Michael Hayden
  • First Born (1988) as Edward Forester
  • White Mischief (1987) as Josslyn Hay
  • Out on a Limb (1987) as Gerry Stamford
  • Good Morning, Babylon (1987) as D.W. Griffith
  • Hidden City (1987) as James Richards
  • The Flying Doctors (1986) as Minister
  • The Golden Child (1986) as Sardo Numspa
  • The McGuffin (1986) as Paul Hatcher
  • Screen Two (1985) as Paul Hatcher
  • Screen Two (1985) as Professor Mandry
  • Plenty (1985) as Raymond Brock
  • Time for Murder (1985) as James Latimer
  • The Jewel in the Crown (1984) as Guy Perron
  • The Secret Servant (1984) as SAS Major Harry Maxim
  • Rainy Day Women (1984) as John Truman
  • Natural World (1983)
  • Little Eyolf (1982) as Borghejm
  • For Your Eyes Only (1981) as Claus
  • Fatal Spring (1980) as Siegfried Sassoon
  • Dreams of Leaving (1980) as Colin
  • Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Robert Smythe
  • An Audience with... (1978) as Self
  • The Professionals (1977) as Parker
  • Raffles (1977)
  • Playhouse (1974) as Siegfried Sassoon
  • Father Brown (1974) as Commandant Neil O'Brien
  • The Inheritors (1974) as Simon Leadbetter
  • Film '72 (1971) as Self
  • Play for Today (1970)
  • BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Borghejm
  • Viy 3: Travel to India
  • The Liar as Tickford
  • A Patriot as Dr. Hastings