Jim Broadbent

File:Jimmy Broadbent to be Horace Slughorn.jpg

Jim Broadbent, soon to be Professor Slughorn

Jim Broadbent is to portray Horace Slughorn in the next Harry Potter film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Biography

One of England's most versatile character actors, Jim Broadbent was born on May 24, 1949, in Lincolnshire, the youngest son of furniture maker Roy Broadbent and sculptress Dee Broadbent. Jim attended a Quaker boarding school in Reading before successfully applying for a place at an art school. His heart was in acting, though, and he would later transfer to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Following his 1972 graduation, he began his professional career on the stage, performing with the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and as part of the National Theatre of Brent, a two-man troupe which he co-founded. In addition to his theatrical work, Broadbent did steady work on television, working for such directors as Mike Newell and Stephen Frears. Broadbent made his film debut in 1978 with a small part in Jerzy Skolimowski's The Shout (1978).

On September 17th, 2007, he announced that he is going to portray Horace Slughorn in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Behind the scenes

• Graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in 1972.
• He is the son of Roy Broadbent, who was involved in converting a Methodist Church into a theater. It was later renamed the Broadbent Theater after his death in 1971.
• Honorary President of the Lindsey Rural Players
• Voice of Vroomfondel in the BBC radio series version of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"
• Shortly after winning his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Iris (2001/I), he was interviewed by Joan Rivers, who apparently didn't even know what nationality he was. On live TV, Rivers said, "Here we have Jim Broadbent, all the way from Australia. You're Australian aren't you?" But there were to be no tantrums from the star - the mild-mannered actor replied, "No, I'm British."
• At The Orange British Academy Film Awards on Monday January 28th 2002, he was nominated for the best Performance by an Actor in a leading role Award for his role in the film Iris.
• His mother, who died in 1995, suffered from Alzheimer's Disease.
• Was offered the part of Del Boy in BBC's Sitcom "Only Fools and Horses", but declined the role. But he did guest-star in three episodes of the show.
• He allegedly declined the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to drama in 2002.

Career before this date

It is evident how successful Broadbents career has been seeing hows he's starred in over 100 television series and films. He's written five productions of his own. Hes performed the sound track for two films. And has starred as himself in over 20 productions!