Charles Kay

Charles Kay is an English thespian who has also acted in many films as well. He was born on 31 August 1930 as Charles Piff. Born to Frances (mother) and Charles B. Piff, Kay spent his childhood in Coventry, Warwickshire. After studying at Warwick School, Kay chose to study medicine. After spending years of learning about medical science, he decided to be trained for dramas. To fulfill his aim of being an actor, he joined the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art after which he became associated with the English Stage Company. He was instrumental in creating the role of Jimmy in the stage adaptation of Roots. He became involved in plays such as The Kitchen, Luther, Twelfth Night, and The Changeling.

Later, he began to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963. During his tenure at the company, which lasted till 1966, he bagged diverse roles in the form of Octavius Caesar in “Julius Caesar”, Launcelot Gobbo in “The Merchant of Venice”, Antipholus in “The Comedy of Errors.” He appeared as Celia in the adaptation of As You like It under the production of National Theatre and the troupe consisted of male members only. As far as his film career is concerned, he is remembered for his role of Count Orsini-Rosenberg in the flick Amadeus.

This 1984 period drama with the story based in Vienna, Amadeus created records and won eight Academy Awards at the 1985 edition. He played an important character in the 1989 film version of Henry V in which he is credited as “Archbishop of Canterbury.” Being a prominent figure in the world of television, Kay has graced the small screen with ease and continues to be adored by the audience for his effortless acting.

He has been seen in many TV shows which include Fall of Eagles, “I, Claudius”, To Serve Them All My Days, Edge of Darkness, By the Sword Divided, The Citadel, Holby City, The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, Jonathan Creek, Fortunes of War, Midsomer Murders, “Law & Order: UK”, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, The Shadow Line. He portrayed Tsar Nicholas 2nd in the show Fall of Eagles. The BBC-based show depicted unexplored aspects of different ruling dynasties such as the Habsburgs of Austria-Hungary, the Hohenzollerns of Germany, and the Romanovs of Russia. Kay became a part of the iconic sci-fi show “Doctor Who” where he starred in Excelis Rising, an audio drama spin-off of the show dealing with time-travellers.