Nigel Hawthorne
ActingAbout Nigel Hawthorne
Sir Nigel Barnard Hawthorne (April 5, 1929 – December 26, 2001) was an English actor, perhaps best remembered for his role as Sir Humphrey Appleby, the Permanent Secretary in the 1980s sitcom Yes Minister and the Cabinet Secretary in its sequel, Yes, Prime Minister. For this role he would win four Bafta Awards during the 1980s in the 'Best Light Entertainment Performance' Category. In the 1990s He would win two more Bafta Awards, one as Best TV Actor for 'The Fragile Heart' and one as Best Film Actor for 'The Madness of King George'. His role in the latter also garnered him his sole Oscar Nomination.
Nigel Hawthorne Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Nigel Hawthorne reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Nigel Hawthorne's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 76% of Nigel Hawthorne's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Relatively Speaking, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Nigel Hawthorne Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Nigel Hawthorne's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Nigel Hawthorne has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Yes, Prime Minister: Re-elected | Self (Archive Material) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Once Upon a Halloween | Fflewddur Fflam (voice) (archive sound) | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Animal Stories | Narrator (Orig. U.K.) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | The Funny Blokes of British Comedy | Sir Humphrey Appleby (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Victoria & Albert | Lord William Lamb | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | Higher Love | Uncle Cullen | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | The Clandestine Marriage | Lord Ogleby | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Tarzan | Professor Archimedes Q. Porter (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | The Winslow Boy | Arthur Winslow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Madeline | Lord Covington | Average | Similar → |
| 1997 | Amistad | Martin Van Buren | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Forbidden Territory: Stanley's Search for Livingstone | David Livingstone | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Twelfth Night | Malvolio | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Richard III | The Duke of Clarence | Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Madness of King George | George III | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Demolition Man | Dr. Raymond Cocteau | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | The Trials of Oz | Brian Leary | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | King of the Wind | Achmet | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Relatively Speaking | Philip Carter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | The Spirit of Man | Rev. Jonathan Guerdon | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | RARG | Storyteller | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Turtle Diary | Publisher | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Jenny's War | Colonel | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | The Black Cauldron | Fflewddur Fflam (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | The Chain | Mr Thorn | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Pope John Paul II | Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Tartuffe, or The Imposter | Orgon | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Crimson Permanent Assurance | Passerby (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Dead on Time | Doctor | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Gandhi | Kinnoch | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | The Plague Dogs | Dr. Boycott (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | Firefox | Pyotr Baranovich | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | The World Cup: A Captain's Tale | John Westwood | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | A Woman Called Golda | King Abdullah | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | History of the World: Part I | Citizen Official - The French Revolution | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | A Brush with Mr. Porter on the Road to El Dorado | Fulton | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Jessie | Mr Edmonds | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | A Tale of Two Cities | Mr. CJ Stryver | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | The Tempest | Stephano | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | The Knowledge | Mr Burgess | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | The Sailor's Return | Mr Fosse | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Edward & Mrs. Simpson | Walter Monkton | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Watership Down | Captain Campion (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Sweeney 2 | Det. Chief Insp. Dilke | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Destiny | Major Lewis Rolfe | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Buffet | Jack | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Floater | Morris Shelman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Hiding Place | Pastor De Ruiter | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | Young Winston | Boer Sentry (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1971 | Alma Mater | Major | Super Hit | Similar → |
Nigel Hawthorne - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Nigel Hawthorne?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Nigel Hawthorne is "Relatively Speaking" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Nigel Hawthorne acted in?
Nigel Hawthorne has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Nigel Hawthorne?
Other notable films include "Animal Stories", "Edward & Mrs. Simpson", and "The Spirit of Man".