One of the finest character performers of all time is English actor Joss Ackland. He has more than 60 years of experience in the entertainment business. He has appeared in more than 130 movies and TV shows during his career, most often in small cameo parts. He began his career in the 1950s and collaborated with several regional theatrical companies over the ensuing decades. He got his big break in acting and gained notoriety thanks to the 1966 TV series “David Copperfield.” He worked on other projects after that. His numerous television credits include “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” “Hogfather,” “A Killing on the Exchange,” “Henry VIII,” and “Icon.” He has also appeared in a number of films, including “Lethal Weapon 2,” “Flawless,” and “White Mischief.” He was nominated for a “BAFTA” for his part in the movie “White Mischief.”
Early Childhood & Life
Sidney Edmond Jocelyn Ackland was born on February 29, 1928, to Ruth and Sydney Norman in North Kensington, London, England. His father was a writer who struggled with sex addiction, which greatly disrupted their family life and finally forced Joss’ parents to lose contact for a considerable amount of time.
Joss didn’t appear to be bothered by the issues at home, either. He was a talented young man who also excelled in the classroom. He discovered his interest in performing at some point while still in school. The European film industry was thriving and experiencing a new wave in the 1930s. Joss found this to be fascinating. His desire to become an actor only intensified with time.
He joined a local theater company to train as an actor after graduating from the “Central School of Speech and Drama,” but he never had much faith in his abilities. He continued to train for a few more years, but he gradually grew bored with it. He also performed other uncredited, lesser roles during this time.
His wife, Rosemary Kirkcaldy, who is also an actor, reignited his ambition to pursue acting. But soon after being hitched, the pair relocated to Kenya to begin their tea plantation business. They left Kenya because they felt dangerous there and relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, which was still a British colony at the time.
While in South Africa, they also tried out acting. But by the late 1950s, they had returned to England and were eager to start over.
Career of Joss Ackland
Before he began obtaining larger roles in television, Joss joined the “Old Vic,” a reputable nonprofit theater company, and performed there for a few more years. The “Old Vic” also included renowned actors like Judy Dench and Maggie Smith.
In 1959, Joss landed his first consistent part in a TV series with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which was followed by “In Search of the Castaways.” Additionally, the 1966 television series “David Copperfield” gave him enough acting clout. He developed his abilities over time and eventually no longer needed to try out for most roles.
He constantly worked in movies and television during the 1960s and 1970s, carving out a place for himself in the entertainment industry. His status as the “go-to character actor” was being debated.
His career had a significant turning point in 1979 when he was given the opportunity to co-star with Alec Guinness in the popular TV series “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” He portrayed a sports writer in this series, and critics praised his portrayal. He finally started getting bigger and better movie parts as a result.
Given that he appeared in several of the 1980s’ biggest hits, the 1980s are today regarded as the best time in his acting career. Although he had a reputation as a versatile actor, he excelled in the crime genre and gave outstanding performances in movies like “The Sicilian,” “Lethal Weapon 2,” “White Mischief,” and “The Hunt for Red October.”
He received plaudits from all critics for his portrayal of Sir Henry Broughton in the movie “White Mischief.” For his work in the film, he received a “BAFTA Award” nomination in 1988 for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role.” Despite his outstanding performance, he was never given a chance to win a significant prize.
In the movie “Passion of Mind,” which told the tale of a woman caught between her dreams and reality, he appeared on screen alongside renowned actor Demi Moore in 2000. Similar to that, the two-part series “Hogfather” also served as an important testament to Joss’ abilities.
He portrayed CS Lewis in the television series “Shadowlands,” and he was even considered for the same part in the series’ film adaptation. Anthony Hopkins eventually won the part, and it is regarded as one of his most famous portrayals.
He has experience performing in both stage and screen projects in addition to movies and television. His acting prowess earned him respect in the theater as well. His plays include “Tim Rice,” “Evita,” and “A Little Night Music,” among others.
Ackland was aware that most people saw him as a character actor. As a result, in order to advance, he ended up accepting whatever role that was offered to him. As a result, he was cast in a number of obscure, low-budget movies, including the unsuccessful 1987 feature “It Couldn’t Happen Here.” Additionally, he made an appearance in a video based on the movie and stated that he did so exclusively for his grandchildren.
He received harsh criticism from the media for not being picky about his roles. In response to this criticism, Joss claimed that he was a workaholic and could not afford to be idle.
He also got into a small argument with actor Demi Moore after calling her “not very intelligent or talented” in one of his interviews.
He provided a voiceover for the documentary “In Search of the Great Beast 666” in 2007. He performed as an alcoholic in the drama “How About You” that same year. His performance was universally praised by critics.
As King Lear in the Old Vic’s gala performance of the renowned Shakespeare tragedy “King Lear” in September 2013, Joss took on the position of director for the first time.
At the age of 85, he most recently appeared as Rufus in the historical epic “Katherine of Alexandria” in 2014.
Individual Life of Joss Ackland
While performing on stage in the late 1940s, Joss Ackland met his wife, Rosemary Kirkcaldy, and fell in love right away. The union took place in August 1951. In 2002, she passed away due to motor neuron disease.
She was a rock of stability in his turbulent life, according to Joss. The couple served as an example for many industry professionals, and her passing was lamented by everyone in the sector.
Joss abstains from alcohol but battles persistent depression. Another reason he loved his wife so much, according to him, was that she always had the ability to help him recover from his depressive spells.
Estimated Net Worth
Wikipedia, Forbes, IMDb, and other online sites estimate that at the age of 91, well-known actor Joss Ackland is worth $15 million. He made the money as a working actor in movies. He is an Englishman.