What is Kenneth Branagh’s net worth? Who is Kenneth Branagh’s wife?
Introduction
Kenneth Branagh is an Irish-born English actor who played Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Hercule Poirot in three films (including Murder on the Orient Express), and King Henry V in Henry V.
Biography
He was born on December 10, 1960, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as Kenneth Charles Branagh.
His parents are William Branagh and Frances (née Harper).
“My dad was a joiner and my mum worked in a chip shop,” he said in a later interview.
He has two siblings.
When Kenneth was just nine years old, his family decided to move to England.
At age 23, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company.
In 1981, he had his first film appearance as a Cambridge student in the drama Chariots of Fire.
In 1987, Branagh co-founded the Renaissance Theatre Company. It was disbanded in 1992.
Kenneth Branagh attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, RADA, January 1979 – @Getty
At age 29, he published his autobiography.
In 1993, he portrayed Benedick, a nobleman in the court of Don Pedro, in the romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing. The film is based on William Shakespeare’s play with the same name.
In 1995, Branagh played Iago in the drama film Othello. It stars Laurence Fishburne and is based on William Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name. The New York Times wrote that Branagh had a “superb performance.”
In 1996, Kenneth directed and performed in the film adaptation of Hamlet. The film received four Oscar nominations.
Sir Kenneth Branagh attends the Film Independent screening of “Belfast” at Harmony Gold on November 07, 2021 in Los Angeles – @Getty
In 2011, he directed Marvel’s superhero film Thor. It stars Chris Hemsworth as as Thor.
Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter
In 2002, Kenneth Branagh played Defence Against the Dark Arts professor Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
“The casting chemistry with Dan and Emma and Rupert, they were the people that made me feel at ease,” he said in an interview. “Gildroy is something of a dandy. He enjoys clothes, he enjoys his appearance. He’s certainly delicious character to play because as my mother would say if if you’ve been to the Moon — he’s been there twice. He’s that kind of character.”
Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, recounted Branagh’s playful nature on set:
“I remember Ken Branagh – Ken was in that one and was so charming, and really naughty with the younger actors in terms of making us laugh.”
In 2012, Branagh was appointed a Knight Bachelor.
In 2014, he directed and starred in the thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. The film grossed over $130 million and it stars Kevin Costner.
Hercule Poirot
In 2017, the British actor directed and portrayed Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express.
Kenneth Branagh as Poirot walks during the filming of “A Haunting in Venice – @Getty
It is based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie.
“Personally I admire the prolific nature of what she does,” Branagh told The Guardian about Agatha Vhristie. “Her ability to grab the audience’s attention is really striking.”
In 2015, Branagh later directed Cinderella.
“All of my interests and skill sets came together for Cinderella,” he said in an interview with EW.
In 2021, he directed the semi-autobiographical film Belfast.
Kenneth Branagh attends the press night after party for “William Shakespeare’s King Lear” 2023 – @Getty
In 2022, the film was nominated for seven Oscars at the Academy Awards. It is based on his own childhood growing up in Northern Ireland.
“The desire to write something about Belfast had been with me really ever since I left the place,” Branagh revealed in early 2022. “I suppose, because it made for such a revolution in my life.”
Also in 2022, he reprised his role as Hercule Poirot in Death on the Nile as well as in the 2023 sequel A Haunting in Venice.
First Wife – Emma Thompson
From 1989 to 1995, Kenneth Branagh was married to British actress Emma Thompson.
Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson during The 9th Annual IFPWest Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palidum in Hollywood – @Getty
The pair first met in 1987 while filming the BBC series Fortunes of War.
At the time of their divorce, Branagh and Thompson cited conflicting work schedules as the reason for their marriage dissolution.
It was later revealed that Branagh had an affair with actress Helena Bonham Carter while still married to Thompson. Branagh and Bonham Carter dated until 1999.
Kenneth Branagh & Helena Bonham Carter – 1998 – @Getty
Emma said in 2022 – “I was utterly, utterly blind to the fact that he had relationships with other women on set.”
Branagh, Carter, and Thompson went on to star in Harry Potter. In 2013, Emma said that she had made peace with Carter.
In 2003, Thompson married Greg Wise, They have two children together, Gaia and Tindyebwa Wise,
Second Marriage With Lindsay Brunnock
In 2003, Kenneth Branagh married film art director Lindsay Brunnock at a low-key ceremony in New York.
Lindsay Brunnock and Kenneth Branagh at the 94th Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre at the Hollywood & Highland Center on March 27th, 2022 – @Getty
They started a relationship after working on the 2002 miniseries Shackleton. He first met Brunnock through his ex-girlfriend, Bonham Carter.
They have no children. In a 2016 interview, Kenneth said “It just never happened.”
Height
Kenneth Branagh is 5′ 9½″ (1.77 m) tall.
Kenneth Branagh – Net Worth
So, how much is Kenneth Branagh worth?
Branagh earned most of his wealth from performing in 78 movies and TV series and directing 24.
Branagh was paid about $7.5 million for his role as Hercule Poirot.
“I have the luxury of being in this job that involves the allowance of my passion and enthusiasm,” he confessed. Therefore, Kenneth Branagh has an estimated net worth of $70 million.
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I am Bulgarea Candin Stefan, and I founded FamousPeopleToday.com in 2018. I’m using my bachelor’s degree in economics and 9 years of experience in blogging to guide millions of people through the incredibly complex world of celebrity net worths.