Tom Hollander was born in 1967 in Oxford, UK to a Biology teacher and a prep school teacher. He claims to have been not much liked until he reached the sixth-form. He studied English at Cambridge University with his childhood friend Sam Mendes who went on to direct him in plays at Cambridge. Tom became an actor on leaving University and has since gained parts in Bedrooms and Hallways, The Lawless Heart and the critically acclaimed Gosford Park. He then starred as Guy Burgess in the BBC's Cambridge Spies, alongside Samuel West and made a small guest appearance in Peter Ackroyd's London. He is set to star in Stage Beauty and the thriller Paparazzi.

Attended Cambridge University with Sam Mendes

His performance in "Way of the World" at the Lyric, Hammersmith, earned him the Ian Charleson Award. [1992]

Can be heard on CD singing the role of Macheath in The Threepenny Opera, which he played at Sam Mendes' Donmar Theatre in a production by Phyllida Lloyd.

Elder sister, Julia, directs operas.

Is a member of the National Youth Theatre

Won a choral scholarship to Abingdon School

One of Tom's tutors at Cambridge was Steve Watts.

Went to Cambridge with his childhood friend Sam Mendes - who is now the husband of Kate Winslet - with whom Tom worked with on the film Enigma (2001).