Joseph Fiennes was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire. He was brought up in West Cork, Ireland. He left art school, and began working with the Young Vic Youth Theatre, and then went on to train at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His first professional stage appearance was in the West End in The Woman In Black, followed by A Month In The Country. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for two seasons and performed roles in Dennis Potter's Son Of Man, Les Enfants Du Paradis, Troilus and Cressida, and Peter Whelan's The Herbal Bed.


In 1998, he played two different men in the Elizabethan era: Robert Dudley in Elizabeth (1998) and William Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love (1998). Both of these men were cheating on their wives. The "women" he cheated with were both nominated for Best Actress Academy Awards: Cate Blanchett for Elizabeth (1998) and Gwyneth Paltrow (who won) for Shakespeare in Love (1998). Dated Sara Griffiths. [1991 - 1998] Son of late novelist Jini Fiennes (aka Jennifer Lash). While it is already mentioned how Fiennes' characters in Shakespeare in Love (1998) and Elizabeth (1998) were both married and cheating on their wives, there is more. Both the characters failed to tell their lovers that he was married, and both the lovers found out from someone else. Chosen as one of the 50 most sexiest stars by People-magazine in 1999. Was Roman Polanski's first choice for the main role in The Pianist (2002), but turned it down due to a previous commitment to the theatre. Often plays characters who write either novels, plays, poetry or other literary works. Greatly skilled at swimming, horse riding, tennis and rock-climbing. Is reported to have been in talks to re-unite with Gwyneth Paltrow in a new British-backed production of John Webster's The Duchess of Malfi. Reported to have been in talks with Bernardo Bertolucci to star in a film based on the life of 16th-century artist Gesualdo da Venosa. Ex-brother-in-law of Alex Kingston. Tipped to star as Lord Byron on film, after having played the poet for the BBC radio series 'Byron's Women'. Was due to play Iago in the West End in a production of "Othello" back in 2001, which was to be directed by Michael Grandage, after having successfully teamed up with the director in Christopher Marlowe's "Edward II", where Fiennes played the title role. 4th cousin of Lord Saye & Sele, owner of Broughton Castle, which appears in Shakespeare in Love as Viola's house. Attended art school in Suffolk, England at the age of 17. Sister Sophie Fiennes is a documentary film-maker. Brother Magnus Fiennes is a composer. Lost 21 pounds in order to play POW Major Gibson in The Great Raid (2005). Moved 14 times during his childhood between London, Wiltshire and Ireland. He and his brother Ralph Fiennes have also both worked with Rachel Weisz, in Enemy at the Gates (2001) and The Constant Gardener (2005). Reunited with former co-star Gwyneth Paltrow in the film Running with Scissors (2006). The two previously worked together during Shakespeare in Love (1998). Daughter born March 8, 2010.