Leigh Lawson

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Leigh Lawson is an actor, director and writer, who was born in Warwickshire.

In 1965 he began training at Mountview Evening Drama School, and then enrolled in 1967 as a full time student at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

He has played leading roles at the National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, in the West End and on Broadway. In the theatre he has worked with directors including Sir Peter Hall, Adrian Noble, Michael Rudman, Peter Gill and Sean Mathias. On film he has been, amongst others, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, George Cukor, Roman Polanski, John Schlesinger, Itsvan Szabo and Lasse Hallstrom.

Leigh has played leading roles in over 15 feature films including Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Tess, Madame Sousatzka, Love Among the Ruins, Being Julia, Casanova.

His many television appearances include the leading role in three TV series: Travelling Man (Granada), Kinsey (BBC), Stick with Me Kid (Disney), plus, numerous miniseries in both England and America. He has directed plays in the UK and America.

Leigh was made a Freeman of the City of London in 2017.

His first book The Dream: An Actor’s Story was published in 2008. His book Now and Then was published in 2025.