
Bill Nighy
ActingAbout Bill Nighy
William Francis Nighy (born 12 December 1949) is an English actor. Known for his work on screen and stage, he has received numerous awards, including two BAFTA Awards, a Golden Globe Award and nominations for an Academy Award and a Tony Award. Nighy started his career with the Everyman Theatre, Liverpool and made his London debut with the Royal National Theatre starting with The Illuminatus! in 1977. There he gained acclaim for his roles in David Hare's Pravda in 1985, Harold Pinter's Betrayal in 1991, Tom Stoppard's Arcadia in 1993, and Anton Chekov's The Seagull in 1994. He received a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor nomination for his performance in Blue/Orange in 2001. He made his Broadway debut in Hare's The Vertical Hour in 2006, and returned in the 2015 revival of Hare's Skylight earning a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play nomination. Early film roles include in the comedies Still Crazy (1998), and Blow Dry (1999) before his breakout role in Love Actually (2003) which earned him a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor. He soon gained recognition portraying Davy Jones in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series (2006-2007), and Viktor in the Underworld film series (2003-2009). Other films include Shaun of the Dead (2004), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005), The Constant Gardener (2005), Notes on a Scandal (2006), Hot Fuzz (2007), Valkyrie (2008), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), About Time (2013), Emma (2020), and Living (2022), the last of these earning him his first career Academy Award nomination. Nighy has gained acclaim for his roles in television earning a British Academy Television Award for Best Actor for his performance in BBC One series State of Play (2003), and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for the BBC film Gideon's Daughter (2007). He's also known for his roles in HBO's The Girl in the Café (2006) and PBS's Page Eight (2012).
Bill Nighy Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Bill Nighy reflects exceptional commercial consistency. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Bill Nighy's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 100% of Bill Nighy's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains National Theatre Live: Skylight, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Bill Nighy Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Bill Nighy's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Bill Nighy has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
Bill Nighy - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Bill Nighy?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Bill Nighy is "National Theatre Live: Skylight" with a rating of 8.9/10.
How many movies has Bill Nighy acted in?
Bill Nighy has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Bill Nighy?
Other notable films include "Katherine Jenkins Christmas Spectacular", "The Wild Robot", and "Astonish Me".




