Born on May 2, 1946, in London, England, he developed a passion for acting at a young age. Trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, honing his craft on stage. He gained international fame for his portrayal of Hercule Poirot in the television adaptation of Agatha Christie's detective series, a role he embodied from 1989 to 2013. His career spans film, television, and stage, earning acclaim for his versatility and depth in character portrayals.