Bill Nighy

Biography

Bill Nighy is a British actor who began his career in regional theater, then joined Liverpool's Everyman and made his London debut at the National Theatre in The Illuminatus! in 1977. He gained notice for stage roles in Pravda, Betrayal, Arcadia and The Seagull, and received an Olivier Award nomination for Blue/Orange. Early films included Still Crazy, Guest House Paradiso and Blow Dry, and Love Actually won him a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He played Viktor in the Underworld series, and in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies he took the part of Davy Jones. Other credits include Shaun of the Dead, The Constant Gardener, Notes on a Scandal, Hot Fuzz, Valkyrie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, About Time and Emma. His performance in Living brought an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. For television, he earned a BAFTA for State of Play and a Golden Globe for Gideon's Daughter.

76years old

Turns 77 on December 12in 59 days

Born December 12, 1949Caterham
Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
William Francis Nighy (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 73
Career span: 42 years1984 to 2026

Genres

Drama45%, 33 films
Comedy42%, 31 films
Action23%, 17 films
Adventure23%, 17 films
Romance21%, 15 films

First and latest

Photos

Did you know?!

Early training
Nighy applied to RADA but was turned down, so he went to the Guildford School of Dance and Drama instead, where he trained for the stage.
A role that slipped away
In early 2004, The Sunday Times said Nighy was shortlisted to play the Ninth Doctor when Doctor Who returned to BBC television in 2005. Christopher Eccleston ended up taking the part.
Getting ready for a role
In 2006, Nighy took the part of Davy Jones, the main villain in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Computer-generated makeup covered his face completely, and he gave the character a Scots accent.
Big break
Nighy claimed the BBC serial The Men's Room, adapted by Laura Lamson from an Ann Oakley novel, was the job that launched his career.
Beyond film
Since 1999, Nighy has taken on the role of Charles Paris, the amateur sleuth created by Simon Brett, at least 17 times for BBC Radio 4.

Bill Nighy movies on Netflix

Shelter2026IMDb rating 6.1as Manafort
10 Lives2024IMDb rating 6.0as Professor Craven (voice)
Gracie and Pedro: Pets to the Rescue2024IMDb rating 5.0as Conrad (voice)
JOY2024IMDb rating 7.1as Patrick Steptoe
That Christmas2024IMDb rating 6.8as Lighthouse Bill
The Beautiful Game2024IMDb rating 6.3as Mal
The First Omen2024IMDb rating 6.5as Cardinal Lawrence
The Wild Robot2024IMDb rating 8.1as Longneck (voice)
Living2022IMDb rating 7.2as Williams
Emma.2020IMDb rating 6.7as Mr. Woodhouse
Minamata2020IMDb rating 7.2as Robert Hayes
Hope Gap2019IMDb rating 6.8as Edward
Pokémon Detective Pikachu2019IMDb rating 6.5as Howard Clifford
StarDog and TurboCat2019IMDb rating 5.2as Sinclair (voice)
The Kindness of Strangers2019IMDb rating 6.6as Timofey
Sometimes Always Never2018IMDb rating 6.3as Alan
Red Nose Day Actually2017IMDb rating 7.1as Billy Mack
The Bookshop2017IMDb rating 6.5as Mr. Brundish
Their Finest2017IMDb rating 6.8as Ambrose Hilliard / Uncle Frank
Dad's Army2016IMDb rating 5.2as Sergeant Wilson
Norm of the North2016IMDb rating 3.4as Socrates (voice)
The Limehouse Golem2016IMDb rating 6.3as John Kildare
A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman2015IMDb rating 7.5as Self - 'Flushed Away' and 'Arthur Christmas'
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel2015IMDb rating 6.5as Douglas Ainslie
I, Frankenstein2014IMDb rating 5.1as Naberius
Pride2014IMDb rating 7.8as Cliff
Salting the Battlefield2014IMDb rating 6.6as Johnny Worricker
Turks & Caicos2014IMDb rating 6.5as Johnny Worricker
About Time2013IMDb rating 7.8as Dad
Jack the Giant Slayer2013IMDb rating 6.3as General Fallon
Total Recall2012IMDb rating 6.2as Matthias
Wrath of the Titans2012IMDb rating 5.7as Hephaestus
Arthur Christmas2011IMDb rating 7.1as Grandsanta (voice)
Chalet Girl2011IMDb rating 6.3as Richard Madsen
Page Eight2011IMDb rating 6.8as Johnny Worricker
Rango2011IMDb rating 7.3as Rattlesnake Jake (voice)
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel2011IMDb rating 7.2as Douglas Ainslie
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12010IMDb rating 7.7as Minister Rufus Scrimgeour
Wild Target2010IMDb rating 6.7as Victor Maynard
Astro Boy2009IMDb rating 6.3as Dr. Elefun / Robotsky (voice)
G-Force2009IMDb rating 5.1as Saber
Glorious 392009IMDb rating 6.4as Alexander
Pirate Radio2009IMDb rating 7.3as Quentin
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans2009IMDb rating 6.5as Viktor
Valkyrie2008IMDb rating 7.1as General Friedrich Olbricht
Hot Fuzz2007IMDb rating 7.8as Met Chief Inspector
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End2007IMDb rating 7.2as Davy Jones
Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker2006IMDb rating 5.1as Alan Blunt
Flushed Away2006IMDb rating 6.6as Whitey (voice)
Notes on a Scandal2006IMDb rating 7.4as Richard Hart
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006IMDb rating 7.4as Davy Jones
Underworld: Evolution2006IMDb rating 6.7as Viktor
The Constant Gardener2005IMDb rating 7.3as Sir Bernard Pellegrin
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy2005IMDb rating 6.7as Slartibartfast
The Magic Roundabout2005IMDb rating 5.3as Dylan (voice)
Enduring Love2004IMDb rating 6.3as Robin
Shaun of the Dead2004IMDb rating 7.8as Phillip
I Capture the Castle2003IMDb rating 6.8as Mortmain
Love Actually2003IMDb rating 7.5as Billy Mack
The Lost Prince2003IMDb rating 7.6as Stamfordham
Underworld2003IMDb rating 7.0as Viktor
AKA2002IMDb rating 6.3as Uncle Louis Gryffoyn
Blow Dry2001IMDb rating 6.2as Ray (Raymond) Robertson
Lawless Heart2001IMDb rating 6.6as Dan
Lucky Break2001IMDb rating 6.2as Roger Chamberlain
Guest House Paradiso1999IMDb rating 6.2as Mr. Johnson
Still Crazy1998IMDb rating 7.0as Ray Simms
FairyTale: A True Story1997IMDb rating 6.5as Edward Gardner
Don't Leave Me This Way1993IMDb rating 6.5as John Tracey
Phantom of the Opera: The Motion Picture1989IMDb rating 5.5as Martin Barton
Hitler's SS: Portrait in Evil1985IMDb rating 6.5as Helmut Hoffmann
Thirteen at Dinner1985IMDb rating 6.2as Ronald Marsh
The Little Drummer Girl1984IMDb rating 6.1as Al

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006 Action, Adventure, Fantasyas Davy Jones
IMDb rating 7.4837K votes
About Time2013 Drama, Fantasy, Romanceas Dad
IMDb rating 7.8442K votes
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End2007as Davy Jones
IMDb rating 7.2753K votes
Valkyrie2008as General Friedrich Olbricht
IMDb rating 7.1277K votes
Rango2011as Rattlesnake Jakevoice
IMDb rating 7.3324K votes
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans2009as Viktor
IMDb rating 6.5176K votes
Underworld2003as Viktor
IMDb rating 7.0303K votes
Total Recall2012as Matthias
IMDb rating 6.2278K votes

Most often with

Richard Curtis directed four of these films, Gore Verbinski three and Len Wiseman three. Three actors appear in six of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Ralph Fiennes

Tom Hollander

Martin Freeman

Johnny Depp

Alan Rickman

Kate Beckinsale

Richard CurtisDirector, 4 films Gore VerbinskiDirector, 3 films Len WisemanDirector, 3 films

Films together

Ralph Fiennes6 films together, 2005 to 2014
Ralph Fiennes's page
- Salting the Battlefield2014IMDb rating 6.6Nighy as Johnny WorrickerFiennes as Alec Beasley
- Turks & Caicos2014IMDb rating 6.5Nighy as Johnny WorrickerFiennes as Prime Minister Alec Beasley
- Wrath of the Titans2012IMDb rating 5.7Nighy as HephaestusFiennes as Hades
- Page Eight2011IMDb rating 6.8Nighy as Johnny WorrickerFiennes as Alec Beasley
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12010IMDb rating 7.7Nighy as Minister Rufus ScrimgeourFiennes as Lord Voldemort
- The Constant Gardener2005IMDb rating 7.3Nighy as Sir Bernard PellegrinFiennes as Justin Quayle
Tom Hollander6 films together, 2001 to 2013
Tom Hollander's page
- About Time2013IMDb rating 7.8Nighy as DadHollander as Harry
- Valkyrie2008IMDb rating 7.1Nighy as General Friedrich OlbrichtHollander as Colonel Heinz Brandt
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End2007IMDb rating 7.2Nighy as Davy JonesHollander as Cutler Beckett
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006IMDb rating 7.4Nighy as Davy JonesHollander as Cutler Beckett
- The Lost Prince2003IMDb rating 7.6Nighy as StamfordhamHollander as George V
- Lawless Heart2001IMDb rating 6.6Nighy as DanHollander as Nick
Martin Freeman6 films together, 2003 to 2015
Martin Freeman's page
- A Grand Night In: The Story of Aardman2015IMDb rating 7.5Nighy as Self - 'Flushed Away' and 'Arthur Christmas'Freeman as Self - Voice of The Pirate with a Scarf
- Wild Target2010IMDb rating 6.7Nighy as Victor MaynardFreeman as Hector Dixon
- Hot Fuzz2007IMDb rating 7.8Nighy as Met Chief InspectorFreeman as Met Sergeant
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy2005IMDb rating 6.7Nighy as SlartibartfastFreeman as Arthur Dent
- Shaun of the Dead2004IMDb rating 7.8Nighy as PhillipFreeman as Declan
- Love Actually2003IMDb rating 7.5Nighy as Billy MackFreeman as John
Johnny Depp4 films together, 2006 to 2020
Johnny Depp's page
- Minamata2020IMDb rating 7.2Nighy as Robert HayesDepp as W. Eugene Smith
- Rango2011IMDb rating 7.3Nighy as Rattlesnake JakevoiceDepp as Rango / Larsvoice
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End2007IMDb rating 7.2Nighy as Davy JonesDepp as Jack Sparrow
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006IMDb rating 7.4Nighy as Davy JonesDepp as Jack Sparrow
Alan Rickman4 films together, 2001 to 2010
Alan Rickman's page
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12010IMDb rating 7.7Nighy as Minister Rufus ScrimgeourRickman as Professor Severus Snape
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy2005IMDb rating 6.7Nighy as SlartibartfastRickman as Marvinvoice
- Love Actually2003IMDb rating 7.5Nighy as Billy MackRickman as Harry
- Blow Dry2001IMDb rating 6.2Nighy as Ray (Raymond) RobertsonRickman as Phil Allen
Kate Beckinsale4 films together, 2003 to 2012
Kate Beckinsale's page
- Total Recall2012IMDb rating 6.2Nighy as MatthiasBeckinsale as Lori Quaid
- Underworld: Rise of the Lycans2009IMDb rating 6.5Nighy as ViktorBeckinsale as Selene
- Underworld: Evolution2006IMDb rating 6.7Nighy as ViktorBeckinsale as Selene
- Underworld2003IMDb rating 7.0Nighy as ViktorBeckinsale as Selene
Richard CurtisDirector, 4 films, 2003 to 2017
All films by Richard Curtis
- Red Nose Day Actually2017IMDb rating 7.1Nighy as Billy Mack
- About Time2013IMDb rating 7.8Nighy as Dad
- Pirate Radio2009IMDb rating 7.3Nighy as Quentin
- Love Actually2003IMDb rating 7.5Nighy as Billy Mack
Gore VerbinskiDirector, 3 films, 2006 to 2011
All films by Gore Verbinski
- Rango2011IMDb rating 7.3Nighy as Rattlesnake Jakevoice
- Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End2007IMDb rating 7.2Nighy as Davy Jones
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006IMDb rating 7.4Nighy as Davy Jones
Len WisemanDirector, 3 films, 2003 to 2012
All films by Len Wiseman
- Total Recall2012IMDb rating 6.2Nighy as Matthias
- Underworld: Evolution2006IMDb rating 6.7Nighy as Viktor
- Underworld2003IMDb rating 7.0Nighy as Viktor
Also four films together3 more actors
- Keira KnightleyRed Nose Day Actually (2017), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007), Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) and Love Actually (2003)
- Nick FrostStarDog and TurboCat (2019), Pirate Radio (2009), Hot Fuzz (2007) and Shaun of the Dead (2004)
- Ewen BremnerSalting the Battlefield (2014), Turks & Caicos (2014), Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) and Page Eight (2011)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What Bill Nighy's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$7.2 billion

52 of the 73 films have a worldwide figure.

52Worldwide figure
6US gross only
8Never in cinemas
2Streaming, short cinema run
5Figure not found

Top grosser

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006Davy Jones$1.1 billion

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 64% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest2006as Davy Jones
$1.1B14.8% of the total
2
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End2007as Davy Jones
$962M13.4% of the total
3
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 12010as Minister Rufus Scrimgeour
$954M13.3% of the total
4
Pokémon Detective Pikachu2019as Howard Clifford
$450M6.3% of the total
5
The Wild Robot2024as Longneck (voice)
$332M4.6% of the total
6
Wrath of the Titans2012as Hephaestus
$302M4.2% of the total
7
G-Force2009as Saber
$293M4.1% of the total
8
Love Actually2003as Billy Mack
$251M3.5% of the total