Photo: Steve Bowbrick from Radlett, United Kingdom / CC BY 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on January 12, 1961 in Penang, Malaysia, Simon Russell Beale is a musician, music historian and stage actor. That puts Simon Russell Beale at 65 years old in 2026. Schooling on record includes University of Cambridge. Recorded honors include Laurence Olivier Awards, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Knight Bachelor (2019) and 1 more.
My Take
Simon Russell Beale is the kind of stage actor critics reach for superlatives to describe, and the haul backs it up: a Tony, three Olivier Awards, and two BAFTA Television wins. Born in Penang and educated at Cambridge, he was knighted in 2019 for services to drama. What impresses me most is the range packed into one career, from the theatre to film and television presenting, even into music history. I find that intellectual breadth genuinely rare. His reputation rests on what happens onstage. When The Independent calls you the greatest of your generation, the work has earned it.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Simon Russell Beale
- Name (Japanese)
- サイモン・ラッセル・ビール
- Reading
- さいもん・らっせる・びーる
- Born
- January 12, 1961 (age 65)
- Origin
- Penang, Malaysia
- Occupation
- musician / music historian / stage actor / film actor / television presenter
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Ox
2. Background
- University
- University of Cambridge
Awards & achievements
- Laurence Olivier Awards
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- 2019 Knight Bachelor
- 2010 honorary doctorate
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Only publicly available facts are listed; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. Base data was compiled from Wikidata from June 2026 onward; ages are recalculated daily and deaths are checked against Wikidata on an ongoing basis. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Simon Russell Beale born?
Simon Russell Beale was born on January 12, 1961 and is 65 years old.
Where is Simon Russell Beale from?
Simon Russell Beale is from Penang, Malaysia.
What does Simon Russell Beale do?
Simon Russell Beale works as musician, music historian, stage actor, film actor, television presenter.
Where did Simon Russell Beale study?
Simon Russell Beale attended University of Cambridge.
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