Mark Rylance Biography: Sir David Mark Rylance Waters born January 18, 1960 is an English actor, playwright, and theater director, renowned for his work on both stage and screen. Throughout his career, he has earned numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, two Olivier Awards, and three Tony Awards. In 2016, he was named to the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people, and in 2017, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. Rylance was the inaugural artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe in London, serving from 1995 to 2005. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, he made his professional debut in 1980 at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. He starred in the West End productions of Much Ado About Nothing in 1994 and Jerusalem in 2010, winning Olivier Awards for Best Actor for both performances.
Mark Rylance Biography
Mark Rylance was born in Ashford, Kent, to Anne (née Skinner) and David Waters, both of whom were English teachers. His family has Irish roots through his grandmother. In 1962, his parents relocated to Connecticut, and later to Wisconsin in 1969, where his father took a position teaching English at the University School of Milwaukee. Rylance attended the same school, where he frequently took leading roles in school productions directed by Dale Gutzman, including Hamlet in 1976 and Romeo and Juliet, in which he played Romeo. From 1995 to 2005, Rylance served as the first artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe in London. He began his professional acting career in 1980 at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. He has since received significant acclaim for his stage work, winning the Olivier Award for Best Actor for Much Ado About Nothing in 1994 and Jerusalem in 2010.
Mark Rylance Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
David Mark Rylance Waters
18 January 1960 Ashford, Kent, England
|
|---|---|
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Works | Full list |
| Spouse |
Claire van Kampen
(m. 1989; died 2025)
|
| Relatives | Susannah Waters (sister) Jonathan Waters (brother) Juliet Rylance (stepdaughter) |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Mark Rylance
Sir David Mark Rylance Waters is an English actor, playwright and theatre director. He is known for his roles on stage and screen, having received numerous awards including an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, two Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards.
Mark Rylance Wiki
- Born: 18 January 1960 (age 65 years), Ashford, United Kingdom
- Spouse: Claire van Kampen (m. 1989–2025)
- Plays: Nice Fish
- Awards: Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play ·
- Nominations: Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play ·
- Height: 1.73 m
Early life and education
Mark Rylance was born in Ashford, Kent, to Anne (née Skinner) and David Waters, both English teachers. His maternal grandmother was Irish, and both of his grandfathers were British prisoners of war during World War II, held by the Japanese. His maternal grandfather, Osmond Skinner, had a long career as a banker with the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank (HSBC). During the Battle of Hong Kong, he was shot in the stomach and, while recovering, witnessed the St. Stephen’s College massacre. He spent four years in a POW camp, surviving thanks to food sent by contacts within HSBC.
In 1962, Rylance’s family relocated to the United States, first to Connecticut and later to Wisconsin in 1969, where his parents taught English at the University School of Milwaukee, which Rylance attended. He returned to England in 1978. Rylance has a sister, Susannah, who is an opera singer and author, and a late brother, Jonathan, who worked as a sommelier at Chez Panisse.
Mark Rylance Facts
Where does Mark Rylance live? And how much money does Mark Rylance earn?
| Birth Date | 18-1-1960 |
| Heritage/origin | English |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion – believes in God? | Christian |
| Residence | He lives together in a house in New York City, New York City . |
Mark Rylance Net Worth 2025
| Estimated Net Worth | 10 million Dollar |
| Yearly Salary | N/A |
| Colleagues | Ruby Barnhill |
Mark Rylance: Wife, Dating, Family & Friends
| Relationship status | Married (Since 1989) |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Current Wife of Mark Rylance | Claire van Kampen |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives | |
| Has any kids? | No |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- David Waters (Father)
- Anne Waters (Mother)
- Susannah Waters (Daughter)
- Jonathan Waters (Son)
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This cool friendly talented actor originating from Ashford, Kent, England has a thin body & square face type.
| Hair color | Regular brown |
| Hair type | Straight |
| Hair Length | short hair |
| Hairstyle | chic |
| Distinct feature | cheekbones |
| Skin Tone/Complexion | Type II: Fair skin |
| Skin Type | Normal |
| Beard or Mustache | Beardless |
| Eye Color | Light Blue |
| Height | 173 cm |
| Weight | 74 kilo |
| Feet size | N/A |
| Does Mark Rylance smoke? | No, never |
| Does Mark Rylance have a tattoo? | No |
FAQs
Where was Mark Rylance born?
Mark Rylance was born in Ashford, Kent, England, to English teachers Anne and David Waters.
Why did Mark Rylance change his name?
Mark Rylance adopted the stage name “Mark Rylance” because the name “Mark Waters” was already taken by someone else registered with Equity.
What is Mark Rylance’s family background?
Mark Rylance’s maternal grandfather, Osmond Skinner, was a banker with HSBC and a World War II POW. His grandfathers were both British prisoners of war held by the Japanese during the war.
Where did Mark Rylance grow up?
Mark Rylance spent his early years in Ashford, Kent, but his family moved to the United States in 1962, first to Connecticut, and later to Wisconsin, where he attended the University School of Milwaukee.
Who are Mark Rylance’s siblings?
Mark Rylance has a sister, Susannah, who is an opera singer and author. He also had a brother, Jonathan, who was a sommelier at Chez Panisse but has since passed away.
What is Mark Rylance’s educational background?
Mark Rylance trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London from 1978 to 1980 and also studied at the Chrysalis Theatre School in Balham, London.