Adam Godley

Last updated

Adam Godley
Adamgodley.JPG
Godley in November 2008
Born (1964-07-22) 22 July 1964 (age 59)
Amersham, England
OccupationActor
Years active1974–present
Spouse
Alex Belcourt
(m. 1999;div. 2004)
PartnerJon Hartmere

Adam N. Godley (born 22 July 1964) is an English actor.

Contents

Godley has been nominated for two Tony Awards and four Laurence Olivier Awards for his performances on the New York and London stages, including Private Lives in 2001, The Pillowman in 2002, Anything Goes in 2011, and The Lehman Trilogy in 2019. He made his Broadway debut in 2002 in a revival of Noël Coward's Private Lives , for which he earned a Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway debut. In 2011, he returned to Broadway in the musical Anything Goes for which he earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical nomination. In 2021, The Lehman Trilogy made its Broadway transfer to great critical acclaim, and securing Godley another Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play.

Godley's film roles include Love Actually (2003), Nanny McPhee (2005), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007), and The Theory of Everything (2014). He has also had television roles as Elliott Schwartz in Breaking Bad (2008–2013), Nigel Nesbitt in Suits (2013), Phinneus Pogo in The Umbrella Academy (2019–present), and Archie the Archbishop in The Great (2020–2023).

Early life

Adam N. Godley was born to Jewish parents in Amersham on 22 July 1964, the son of a magistrate mother and solicitor father. He grew up near Watford and went to Rickmansworth School in Croxley Green. [1]

Career

Godley began his acting career at the age of nine in a BBC radio production of Hemingway's My Old Man . His first stage role came at age 11, as Prince Giovanni in The White Devil at The Old Vic. [2] His childhood career also included work at the National Theatre, in Lillian Helman's Watch on the Rhine , and Close of Play, directed by Harold Pinter. [3] Godley achieved national prominence after playing the lead in the 1984 BBC TV adaptation of J. Meade Falkner's Moonfleet . [4]

In 1986, Godley joined Alan Ayckbourn's theatre company in Scarborough, where he stayed for three seasons. Productions included June Moon and The Revengers' Comedies , both of which transferred to the West End, and Mr A's Amazing Maze Plays , which transferred to the National Theatre. [5]

He spent one season as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, before creating the role of Cliff in Sam Mendes's production of Cabaret at the Donmar Warehouse in 1993. Several major productions followed, including Mouth to Mouth at the Royal Court, The Front Page at the Donmar, and The Rivals in the West End, after which Godley went on to create a series of roles at the National, including Kenneth Williams in Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick ; and the title role in Howard Davies' production of Paul . In 1999 he played Jack Worthing in the West End production of The Importance of Being Earnest .

In 2002 he made his film debut in Claude Lelouch's And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen starring Jeremy Irons and Patricia Kaas which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. He continued acting in films such as the Christmas classic Love Actually (2003), Around the World in 80 Days (2004), Nanny McPhee (2005), and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005).

In 2002 he starred as Victor Prynne alongside Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan in a revival of Noël Coward's Private Lives at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City, where Godley made his Broadway debut. For his performance he earned a Theatre World Award. The following year Godley starred as Michal in Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman opposite Jim Broadbent and David Tennant at the Royal National Theatre.

In 2008 he played Raymond Babbitt in the West End production of Rain Man opposite Josh Hartnett. In 2010 he played Jonathan Powell in the HBO television film The Special Relationship about Tony Blair's relationship with Bill Clinton. He had recurring roles as Elliott Schwartz in AMC's Breaking Bad and Jocelyn Pugh in Lodge 49. He also appeared in BBC's A Young Doctor's Notebook (2011), CBS's The Good Wife (2012), USA Networks's Suits (2012), Showtime's Homeland (2015), and NBC's The Blacklist (2017). In 2011 he played Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Roundabout Theatre's multi-award-winning Broadway revival of Anything Goes . The production starred Sutton Foster, John McMartin, Jessica Walter and Joel Grey. For his performance he earned a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award nomination, and an Outer Critics Circle Award. In 2013 he led a new adaptation by Dennis Kelly of Georg Kaiser's 1912 German expressionist masterpiece, From Morning to Midnight , at the National Theatre.

His most recent stage role was as one of the three Lehman brothers in the 2019 National Theatre's The Lehman Trilogy for which he was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Play alongside Simon Russell Beale and Ben Miles. [6] The play transferred to Broadway in 2021 where he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play along with Adrian Lester and Simon Russell Beale.

In 2023, he portrayed pollster Darwin Perry in the HBO drama series Succession episode "America Decides".

Personal life

Godley married Alex Belcourt in 1999, and they divorced in 2004.[ citation needed ] He is currently in a relationship with writer Jon Hartmere, with whom he lives in North Carolina. [7]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen Son of London Jeweller
Thunderpants Placido P. Placeedo
2003 Love Actually Mr. Trench
2004 Around the World in 80 Days Mr. Sutton
2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Mr. Teavee
Nanny McPhee Vicar
2007 Elizabeth: The Golden Age William Walsingham
Son of Rambow Brethren Leader
2008 The X-Files: I Want to Believe Father Ybarra
2011 The Forger Pinkus
2012 Battleship Dr. Nogrady
2014 The Theory of Everything Senior Doctor - Cambridge Hospital
2016 The BFG The Manhugger / Lout No. 1
2018 Nightmare Cinema Dr. Salvadore
2019 Missing Link Lord BilgeVoice
2022 The People We Hate at the Wedding NarratorVoice

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1978 A Horseman Riding By Simon Craddock3 episodes
1979 Thomas & Sarah Tomlinson1 episode
1984 Moonfleet John Trenchard6 episodes
1991; 1998 The Bill Duxford/Nigel Penway2 episodes
1992 An Ungentlemanly Act P.C. Anton LivermoreTelevision film
1995 Class Act Graham1 episode
1998 Casualty Alan Decker1 episode
2000 Cor, Blimey! Kenneth Williams Television film
2001 Sword of Honour ApthorpeTelevision film
2002 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Tony Phillips1 episode
2003 Margery and Gladys Graham HeywoodTelevision film
2004 Hawking Frank HawkingTelevision film
2006 Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial Gustave Gilbert Miniseries
2007 Coming Up Paul1 episode
2007 The Old Curiosity Shop Sampson BrassTelevision film
2008; 2013 Breaking Bad Elliott Schwartz3 episodes
2008 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles The Scientist1 episode
2008 Mad Men Wayne Kirkeby1 episode
2009 Numbers Dr. Joseph Baskin1 episode
2009 Merlin Jonas2 episodes
2009 Dollhouse Clyde Randolph1 episode
2010 Private Practice Henry1 episode
2010 Agatha Christie's Marple Lomax1 episode
2010 The Special Relationship Jonathan Powell Television film
2011 Lie to Me Sandy Baxter1 episode
2011 CHAOS Jonathan Aldridge1 episode
2011 Case Histories Martin Canning2 episodes
2012 A Young Doctor's Notebook Demyan LukichMain role, 8 episodes
2012 Harry's Law Hospital Administrator1 episode
2012 The Good Wife Leland Carlisle1 episode
2012 Suburgatory Mr. Jacobs1 episode
2013 Spies of Warsaw Julius HalbechMiniseries
2013 Elementary British Man (voice)1 episode, uncredited
2013 Suits Nigel Alexander NesbittRecurring role, 5 episodes
2014 Perception Teddy Brennan1 episode
2014 Manhattan Dr. Adelman3 episodes
2014 Homeland Jordan Harris1 episode
2015–2016 Powers Captain Emile CrossMain role, 20 episodes
2015 The Blacklist Silas Gouldsberry1 episode
2017 Fallet DCI Tom BrownMain role, 8 episodes
2018–2019 Lodge 49 Jocelyn PughRecurring role, 10 episodes
2019–present The Umbrella Academy Phinneus Pogo Main role, 14 episodes
Voice and motion capture role [8]
2020–2023 The Great Archbishop "Archie"Main role, 30 episodes [9]
2021–2022 The Great North Dick Chateau / ArchieVoice role, 4 episode
2022 Bob's Burgers GhostVoice role, 1 episode
2023 Succession Darwin PerryEpisode: "America Decides"

Theatre

YearTitleRoleTheatre
1976The White DevilPrince GiovanniThe Old Vic
1979Close Of PlayMatthewNational Theatre
1980Watch On The RhineJoshua MullerNational Theatre
1987An Inspector CallsEric BirlingWestminster Theatre
1991 The Revengers' Comedies Oliver Knightly The Strand Theatre
1992 June Moon Fred Stevens Vaudeville Theatre
1993Mr A's Amazing Maze PlaysNevilleNational Theatre
1993 Cabaret Cliff Bradshaw Donmar Warehouse
1994 The Rivals Faulkland Albery Theatre
1996 The White Devil
Three Hours After Marriage
The General From America
Camilo
Underplot
Majot André
Royal Shakespeare Company
1997The Wood DemonFyodorPlayhouse Theatre
1997 The Front Page BensingerDonmar Warehouse
1998 Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick Kenneth Williams National Theatre
1999 The Importance of Being Earnest John Worthing Haymarket Theatre
2000Mr KolpertRalfRoyal Court Theatre
2001Mouth To MouthDr GompertzRoyal Court Theatre
2002 Private Lives Victor Prynne Richard Rodgers Theater, Broadway
2003 The Pillowman MichalNational Theatre
2005Two Thousand YearsJonathanNational Theatre
2005 Paul Paul National Theatre
2008Rain ManRaymond Babbitt Apollo Theatre
2011 Anything Goes Lord Evelyn Oakleigh Stephen Sondheim Theater, Broadway
2013 From Morning to Midnight The Bank ClerkNational Theatre
2018 The Lehman Trilogy Mayer Lehman National Theatre
2019 Park Avenue Armory [10]
Piccadilly Theatre
2021 Nederlander Theater, Broadway
2023 Once Upon a One More Time Narrator Marquis Theater, Broadway

Audio plays

YearTitleRoleNotes
1975My Old ManJoeBBC Radio
1977Sister Ninian’s NightingaleJohnny DeanBBC Radio
1977These Modern WaysGrishaBBC Radio
1979The Rocking Horse WinnerPaulBBC Radio
1979The Happiest Days of your LifeHopcroftBBC Radio
1994The Wide Sargasso SeaRochesterBBC Radio
1998The Ghost TrainTeddy DeakinBBC Radio
2001 Tess of the d'Urbervilles Alec d'UrbervilleBBC Radio
2003 Strangers and Brothers Lewis EliotBBC Radio
2004Black BeautyBlack BeautyBBC Radio
2004MortCutwellBBC Radio
2004Christopher HimselfChristopher IsherwoodBBC Radio
2004–2007 The Brothers NigelBBC Radio
2005The Madness of George IiiThe Prince of WalesBBC Radio
2006Another CountryVaughanBBC Radio
2009Dr Jekyll and Mr HydeDr JekyllBBC Radio
2010 She Stoops to Conquer Tony Lumpkin LA Theatre Works
2011Strangers and BrothersLewis ElliotBBC Radio
2011 The Bungler LélieLA Theatre Works
2018An Enemy of the PeoplePeter StockmanBBC Radiio
2022 Moriarty: The Devil's Game Dr. Watson Audible Original [11]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2011 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Anything Goes Nominated
2008 Evening Standard Theatre Awards Best Actor in a Leading Role in a PlayRain ManNominated
1999 Laurence Olivier Awards Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play Cleo, Camping, Emanuelle and Dick Nominated
2002Mouth to MouthNominated
2009 Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Rain ManNominated
2019 Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
shared with Simon Russell Beale and Ben Miles
The Lehman Trilogy Nominated
2011 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Anything Goes Won
2022Outstanding Actor in a Play The Lehman Trilogy Nominated
2021 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series The Great Nominated
2022 Nominated
2002 Theatre World Award Outstanding Broadway Debut Private Lives Won
2011 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Anything Goes Nominated
2022 Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play The Lehman Trilogy Nominated

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References

  1. Nathan, John (29 August 2008). "Mr shy and mighty". The Jewish Chronicle . Retrieved 15 December 2019 via PressReader.
  2. "RSC Performances- The White Devil". Royal Shakespeare Company. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  3. "Adam Godley - Profiles". National Theatre. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  4. "Moonfleet". BFI . Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. "THEATRE / A choice evening: Paul Taylor on Mr A's Amazing Maze Plays at the Cottesloe" . The Independent. 8 March 1993. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  6. "'The Lehman Trilogy' has been a critical standout on Broadway this fall. Its superb cast sheds light on how that happened". Washington Post . Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  7. "Adam Godley and Jon Hartmere attends 'The Upside' cocktail party". 9 September 2017.
  8. ‘The Umbrella Academy’: Cameron Britton, Colm Feore, Adam Godley & Ashley Madekwe Join Netflix Series
  9. Petski, Denise (4 February 2020). "'The Great': Sebastian De Souza Joins Elle Fanning & Nicholas Hoult In Hulu Comedy Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  10. ‘The Lehman Trilogy’ is so good, it expands your sense of what three actors on a stage can conjure
  11. "Moriarty". Audible. 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.