Mark Strong Movies and Career Information

Mark Strong (born 30 August 1963) is an English actor, best known for playing roles in the 2000s films Body of Lies, Syriana, The Young Victoria, Sherlock Holmes, RocknRolla, Stardust, and Kick-Ass. He often depicts villains or antagonists, such as Lord Blackwood in Sherlock Holmes, Frank D'Amico in Kick-Ass, Sir Godfrey in Robin Hood, and Sinestro in Green Lantern. Strong was born Marco Giuseppe Salussolia in London to an Italian father and an Austrian mother. He was raised Catholic. His English name is not a stage name; it was changed by deed poll by his mother when he was a boy to help him fit in with his peers. He speaks fluent German and some Italian. Strong attended Wymondham College in Norfolk. His original ambition was to become a lawyer, but after studying for a year at University in Munich, Germany he decided to change his direction in life and returned home to London. There, he studied English and Drama at Royal Holloway, and later attended Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Strong is a familiar face on British television and has appeared in such drama series as two Prime Suspect serials for ITV: as Inspector (later Detective Chief Superintendent) Larry Hall in Prime