Tilda Swinton
Biography
Katherine Matilda Swinton (born November 5, 1960) is an award-winning British actress of Scottish descent, known for her versatile roles in independent films and blockbusters. She is a recipient various accolades throughout her long career, including an Academy Award and two BAFTA Awards, in addition to being nominated for three Golden Globe Awards and five Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Swinton began her career by appearing in experimental films starting with Caravaggio (1986), followed by The Last of England (1988), War Requiem (1989), and The Garden (1990). She won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for her portrayal of Isabella of France in Edward II (1991). She next starred in Sally Potter's Orlando (1992), for which she received a nomination for the European Film Award for Best Actress. She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her performance in The Deep End (2001), and followed this with appearances in Vanilla Sky (2001), Adaptation (2002), Constantine (2005), Julia (2008), and I Am Love (2009).
For the film Young Adam (2003), she won the British Academy Scotland Award for Best Actress. Her performance in Michael Clayton (2007) won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Additionally, she won the European Film Award for Best Actress and received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for the psychological thriller We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011). Swinton has also played the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia series (2005–2010) and the Ancient One in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.
Swinton was awarded the Richard Harris Award by the British Independent Film Awards in recognition of her contributions to the British film industry. In 2013, she was given a special tribute by the Museum of Modern Art. In 2020, Swinton was awarded the British Film Institute Fellowship, the highest honour presented by the institution, for her "daringly eclectic and striking talents as a performer and film-maker and recognizes her great contribution to film culture, independent film exhibition and philanthropy." That same year, The New York Times ranked her thirteenth on its list of the greatest actors of the 21st century up to that point.
Known for
Works
- 2025
Ballad of a Small PlayerActing · Cynthia Blithe - 2024
The EndActing · Mother - 2024
The Room Next DoorActing · Martha / Michelle - 2024
ProblemistaActing · Elizabeth - 2023
Asteroid CityActing · Dr. Hickenlooper - 2022
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: Handcarved CinemaActing · Self - 2022
The Eternal DaughterActing · Julie / Rosalind - 2022
Three Thousand Years of LongingActing · Alithea - 2021
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening SunActing · J.K.L. Berensen - 2021
The Souvenir: Part IIActing · Rosalind - 2021
MemoriaActing · Jessica Holland - 2020
The Human VoiceActing · Woman - 2019
The Dead Don't DieActing · Zelda Winston - 2018
SuspiriaActing · Madame Blanc / Dr. Klemperer / Helena Markos - 2017
OkjaActing · Lucy Mirando / Nancy Mirando - 2017
War MachineActing · German Politician - 2016
Doctor StrangeActing · The Ancient One - 2016
Hail, Caesar!Acting · Thora Thacker / Thessaly Thacker - 2013
SnowpiercerActing · Mason - 2012
Moonrise KingdomActing · Social Services - 2010
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn TreaderActing · White Witch - 2008
The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonActing · Elizabeth Abbott - 2008
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianActing · White Witch - 2007
Michael ClaytonActing · Karen Crowder - 2005
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the WardrobeActing · White Witch - 2005
ConstantineActing · Gabriel - 2002
Adaptation.Acting · Valerie Thomas - 2000
The BeachActing · Sal - 1992
OrlandoActing · Orlando