Star of stage, screen...and graduation ceremony

26 Jul 2012

One of Britain’s most respected actors, who has shared the silver screen with Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp and been directed by Steven Spielberg and Oliver Stone, has been awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award by the Faculty of Humanities.

Toby Jones studied drama at The Victoria University of Manchester, graduating in 1989. Since then he has appeared in more than 20 films, demonstrating a unique versatility and ability to master any part that comes his way. He was the voice of Dobby the House Elf in the Harry Potter films, and gave a hugely acclaimed performance as Truman Capote in the biopic Infamous.

Although Toby continues to enthral audiences on the big screen, his love of the stage is clear. In 2001, his role in the West End comedy, The Play What I Wrote received critical acclaim and he won Best Supporting Actor at the 2002 Olivier Awards. His critical success continues when the play moved to Broadway, with a nomination for a Tony Award in 2003.

Born in 1967, he grew up in Oxford as part of a family already well established in the acting world. One brother, Rupert, is a director and the other, Casper, is also an actor.

The other faculties awarded their Outstanding Alumni Awards to world-leading chemist Professor Alan Cowley (Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences), renowned emergency medic and Glastonbury stalwart Dr John Heywood (Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences) and BBC Head of Science Andrew Cohen (Faculty of Life Sciences) - see individual reports.