logo
'I was born to be an actor': Twice-knighted Derek Jacobi on nearly 70 years on the stage and screen

'I was born to be an actor': Twice-knighted Derek Jacobi on nearly 70 years on the stage and screen

BBC News28-02-2025

The legendary actor tells Katty Kay that his parents would have much rather he became an accountant or insurance broker, but finally came around when they saw him perform on stage.
With a shelf filled with awards, including Screen Actors Guild trophies, Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Tony and a pair of Olivier Awards, 86-year-old Sir Derek Jacobi has proven to be much more than "the classical Shakespearean actor of our generation," as BBC special correspondent Katty Kay describes him during an interview at his home in London.
Sir Derek credits a serendipitous combination of luck and talent for his decades-long career, which includes roles in blockbusters like Gladiator and its 2024 sequel, and stints on sitcom Frasier, for which he won the 2001 Emmy for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series.
"Somehow, I was born to be an actor. That's what I feel. There was never any alternative," Sir Derek says about first appearing on the stage at the age of 17. He was born in north-east London to a father who ran a sweet shop and a mother who was a secretary. "That's what I wanted. That's what I thought I could do. That's what I enjoyed."
Enjoying the spotlight was just a part of his success. Sir Derek notes that after he found himself at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre (which he affectionately calls the Rep) in 1960, there wasn't anything else that matched the euphoria of basking in an audience's applause. It was a far cry from what his parents had hoped for. Like most, they'd expected their son to go into a field with stability, like accounting or insurance.
"I always thought… I wanted to be an actor. I had no talent for anything else," he says. "Hamlet confirmed it." After reciting one of the doomed prince's monologues to Kay, Sir Derek admits that most of his roles have disappeared into the ether, but the work of the Bard has stayed with him since those early performances almost 70 years ago. "All the other parts have gone. Hamlet's still around. Shakespeare stays."
Sir Derek is quick to name drop some of his esteemed colleagues: Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Laurence Olivier, Dame Vanessa Redgrave, Albert Finney and Sir Robert Stephens. But he's as quick to note that he didn't have the classical training many of them had. He tells Kay that it was a bit of luck that led to his successes, which include being knighted by the late Queen Elizabeth II and earning the Danish Order of the Dannebrog.
"I think there's talent and I think there's luck. Without that luck, the talent isn't enough on its own," he says. "You've got to have the opportunity to show you've got talent. Without that opportunity… nobody's seeing it."
More like this: • It took nearly 60 years for Brooke Shields to overcome her imposter syndrome• Ina Garten on her internet appeal: 'Young people don't have mom in the kitchen' • Olympic legend Lindsey Vonn explains the mindset of a winner
Another obstacle Jacobi notes was the fact that he was never seen as classically handsome. "They had a head start because they were nice to look at," he says of Stephens and Olivier, while he credits being able to hone his craft in front of an audience from the age of 17 as what set him apart. He tells Kay that luck landed him that first job and his time at the Rep stood in for drama school. "It was a huge learning experience."
And although Sir Derek says he hasn't stopped learning, he works at a different pace now, and has learned to find new ways of working.
"You slow down," the 86-year-old says. "It's more difficult to remember lines. I used to have a very sharp brain. I don't anymore. That, obviously, is age." These days, he has some help with those lines via an earpiece just in case, with Kay likening it to a skier using a knee brace.
"I've really had a charmed life," Sir Derek says, reflecting on his career, his long-time husband, theatre director Richard Clifford, and the fact that he can still do what he loves. Sir Derek's upcoming projects include appearances in episodes of Doctor Who Unbound and Good Omens as well as films The Vampyre: Blood & Ink, with Malcolm McDowell and action-comedy Tinsel Town, alongside Rebel Wilson and Kiefer Sutherland.
"I can't complain about anything in my life."
Influential with Katty Kay airs on Fridays at 21:30 ET on the BBC News channel.
--
For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Diane Morgan makes thinly-veiled dig at BBC producers in new show
Diane Morgan makes thinly-veiled dig at BBC producers in new show

Daily Mirror

time39 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Diane Morgan makes thinly-veiled dig at BBC producers in new show

Diane Morgan will explore her father's side of the family following his death in Who Do You Think You Are? Diane Morgan took a subtle swipe at the producers of Who Do You Think You Are? in her appearance on the BBC show. In tonight's episode (Tuesday, June 10), the 49-year-old will explore her father's lineage following his passing six years ago. The actress and comedian certainly shows off her comedic flair while discussing her involvement in the programme, even referencing some of her own work that has humorously critiqued the series. ‌ Speaking to the camera from a brown leather settee, Diane jokes: "This is what I can't understand about any of those shows, like this one, where people go on a journey, you know, you'd think people would stop using those tropes. Even the tiny little things like walking past the camera..." This is then followed by several shots of Diane doing the same thing. ‌ Poking fun at the show, she carries on: "I wonder how much wondering aimlessly I'll be doing in this..." Once more from the sofa, Diane elaborates: "So I wrote this comedy called Mandy, about this woman who can't hold a job down, in one episode she goes on Who Are You, Do You Think?... Loosely based on Who Do You Think You Are." Diane breaks into laughter before a scene from the programme appears, featuring her character Mandy in a hot tub with Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden. She concludes: "But I never thought in a million years, I thought you'd ask me to be on it." The video wraps up with Diane trying to coax her stubborn dog out for a stroll, saying: "Come on Bob. Bob, we're going to go to the park! You love the park!," but her furry friend wasn't budging. ‌ Diane laughs off the situation with, "I knew he'd steal this. Come on Bob!" yet Bob remains unmoved. "Bob. Come on Bob." Later she remarks: "He's just very headstrong..." as Bob continues to play up. ‌ In a twist of family history during the show, Diane learns surprising secrets from her past in her birthplace Farnworth, reports the Express. She had been under the impression that her dad's lineage was Northern through and through, only to unearth tales of 'German Charlie' and a Scots link via her great-great-grandmother, shaking up her family tree. Driven by curiosity, Diane delves into her great-great-aunt Sarah Jane's life, known to all as Jinny, especially intrigued by a memorial plaque to Jinny's betrothed, Albert Dugdale, a casualty of WWI. The Afterlife actress discovers a poignant connection - the street where Jinny and Albert lived their love story lies just stones throw away from her own childhood home.

Patsy Kensit's dream role in EastEnders after Emmerdale past
Patsy Kensit's dream role in EastEnders after Emmerdale past

Leader Live

timean hour ago

  • Leader Live

Patsy Kensit's dream role in EastEnders after Emmerdale past

Having played two feisty women in soaps over the past 20 years, Patsy, 57, has spoken about some of her career highlights. Soap fans were excited to see her arrive in Walford in 2023, playing the late Lola Pearce's estranged mum, Emma. However, in the mid-noughties, Patsy caused a stir in the Dales as Sadie King in Emmerdale – a firm fan favourite that soap addicts often reference they would like to return. Patsy Kensit in EastEnders and Emmerdale (Image: BBC/ITV) Patsy has recently praised the writers and cast of both soaps, but has now revealed the soap comeback she'd love the most. In an interview with The Sun, Patsy said that EastEnders was her "dream job" and a career highlight. "Soap is something that I love and I loved my time at Emmerdale and my four years at Holby City but then I went into EastEnders,' she said. "EastEnders was actually my dream job, I've wanted to be in that show for years. "If I could throw a wish out there it would be that Emma could come back to see Lexi (her granddaughter)." Speaking about ways that Emma could make a return to the Square, Patsy added: "There could be some conflict or tension and there are a million possibilities. "The writers are amazing at what they do and yeah I'm just putting it out there!" She continued: "Everyone is at the top of their game (on EastEnders). "They are the hardest working people in the business and every day I learned something and so had to embrace the opportunity." Discussion around Patsy's character Sadie King has been revived in recent months as Classic Emmerdale episodes air on ITV3. The Lethal Weapon 2 actress was a huge scoop for the soap at the time. Recommended reading: EastEnders' Michelle Collins speaks of Mimi Keene return Iconic EastEnders star set for return 20 years after leaving the BBC soap EastEnders' Shane Ritchie teases comeback of popular noughties soap star Posting on Reddit recently, one user said: 'Ooh, I remember Sadie being so mysterious. 'They built her character up for weeks before finally introducing her and I don't remember a single spoiler about it being Patsy. It was a simpler time.' Another added: 'Patsy Kensit was amazing in that role, you hated her [Sadie] but loved watching.'

Dumfries set to feature in Diane Morgan episode of Who Do You Think You Are?
Dumfries set to feature in Diane Morgan episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

Daily Record

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Dumfries set to feature in Diane Morgan episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

Tonight's episode of the BBC's popular ancestry show will see the Philomena Cunk star visit Dumfries. Dumfries is set to feature on tonight's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? The latest episode of the BBC's popular ancestry show will see actor and comedian Diane Morgan research her family tree. ‌ And as well as taking her to Wales and Bolton, Diane's search will also bring her to Dumfries. ‌ Diane – known for her portrayal of spoof historian Philomena Cunk as well as appearances in Motherland and After Life – is her aware her two-times great-grandmother Isabella Robson came from Dumfries. She meets genealogist Emma Maxwell in the library to investigate this part of her ancestry further. Emma is able to show Diane some court documents which shed light on Emma's story. Her trip also involves a meeting with local photographer Graeme Robertson. ‌ Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. The filming took place in Dumfries in the spring of 2024, with filming locations including Dumfries Museum and St Michael's Churchyard – the final resting place of Robert Burns. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Who Do You Think You Are? will be shown on BBC One at 8pm tonight. It will then be available on iPlayer

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store