British-born Rupert Everett grew up in privileged circumstances, but the wry, sometimes arrogant intellectual was a rebel from the very beginning. At the age of 7, he was placed into the care of Benedictine monks at Ampleforth College where he trained classically on the piano. He was expelled from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London for clashing with his teachers, and instead apprenticed himself at the avant-garde Glasgow Citizen's Theater in Scotland, performing in such productions as `Don Juan' and `Heartbreak House'.

In 1984, Everett successfully filmed a lead role in, Another Country, which he had performed earlier on stage, and shot to international attention, becoming one of England's hottest new star. But, again, the wickedly sharp and suave rebel doused his own fire by clashing with the press and even with his own fans. In 1989, Everett openly declared his own homosexuality -- an announcement that could have mortally wounded his film career. Instead, over time, it seems to have had the opposite effect. His career revitalized as Julia Roberts' gay confidante in My Best Friend's Wedding, and he has continued to impress notably in the classics area with Shakespeare in Love (as Christopher Marlowe), An Ideal Husband and A Midsummer Night's Dream (as Oberon). Lately he has enhanced both films, with his royal portrayals in To Kill a King and Stage Beauty, and television, with his effortlessly suave Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking. His predilection for smug and smarmy villains of late, such as the cartoonish Dr. Claw in Inspector Gadget has extended into voice animation with his "unprincely" Prince Charming character in Shrek 2.

In making his landmark decision to "come out," Rupert becomes a living testament disproving the theory that a truly talented and successful romantic leading man cannot survive the career-killing stigma of being openly gay.


Unconditional Love (2002): $4,000,000

He boarded at Farleigh House prep school in Basingstoke from the age of seven before going to Ampleforth College, the prestigious Roman Catholic public school in Yorkshire at thirteen, but dropped out 16. 1999 VH1 Vogue Fashion Award for most fashionable male celebrity. Was expelled from London's Central School of Speech and Drama for insubordination. Writes for "Vanity Fair". Speaks English, French & Italian. Owns a Black Lab, named Moise. Showed his musical talents on two remakes: singing backup on Madonna's remake of "American Pie" and by dueting with Brit pop star Robbie Williams on a version of the classic "They Can't Take That Away from Me". He was awarded the 1981 London Critics' Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Awards) for Most Promising New Actor of 1980 for his performance in "Another Country". In Stage Beauty (2004), plays King Charles II, the son of King Charles I, whom he played in To Kill a King (2003). They are both his ancestors. He is the favorite actor of actress Amber Benson. Has an older brother, Simon Anthony Cunningham Everett (b. 1956). Is a descendant from Charles II Stuart, King of England and Scotland, and through him a distant relative of Rachael Stirling. Godfather of Madonna's and Guy Ritchie's son David.