Tilda Swinton

Basic Information:

• Name: Katherine Matilda Swinton

• Date of Birth: November 5, 1960

• Nationality: British (identifies as Scottish)

• Profession: Actress

• Social Media Links: Not readily available; Swinton is not known to be active on major social media platforms.

• Spouse: Sandro Kopp (2004바카라“present)

• Children: Honor Swinton Byrne, Xavier Swinton Byrne

Biography:

Katherine Matilda Swinton, known professionally as Tilda Swinton, was born in London, England, on November 5, 1960, to Judith Balfour and Sir John Swinton. They are of Scottish and Australian heritage, and although born in London, they consider themself Scottish, having been raised in Scotland and with a family lineage rooted there for centuries. Their father was a retired Major-General in the British Army. They have three brothers. Swinton's early life was marked by a unique upbringing, attending boarding schools, including West Heath Girls' School, where they were a classmate of Lady Diana Spencer. Before university, they volunteered in South Africa and Kenya. They went on to study at the University of Cambridge, earning a degree in Social and Political Sciences and English Literature in 1983. It was during their time at Cambridge that they began performing on stage. They also spent time with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Swinton's career began in the mid-1980s with roles in experimental films, notably those directed by Derek Jarman. Their breakthrough role came with the 1992 film Orlando, where they played a character who changes sex over centuries, a performance that highlighted their ability to challenge traditional gender norms. They have collaborated with renowned directors like Jim Jarmusch, Luca Guadagnino, Wes Anderson and the Coen Brothers, demonstrating versatility across diverse genres and styles. They have also taken roles in big franchises like The Chronicles of Narnia and Marvel Cinematic Universe. Swinton currently lives in Nairn, Scotland, with their partner, German painter Sandro Kopp. They have twins with their former partner, John Byrne.

Career Timeline:

• 1986: Film debut in Caravaggio, directed by Derek Jarman.

• 1992: Breakthrough role in Orlando.

• 2005: Portrayed the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

• 2007: Won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton.

• 2011: Starred in We Need to Talk About Kevin.

• 2016: Played the Ancient One in Doctor Strange.

• 2020: Received the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival.

• 2025: Received Honorary Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival.

Achievements:

Awards & Recognition:

• Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (Michael Clayton, 2007)

• British Academy Film Award (BAFTA)

• British Academy Scotland Award

• Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival (Edward II, 1991)

• European Film Award for Best Actress (We Need to Talk About Kevin, 2011)

• Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival (2020)

• Honorary Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival (2025)

• Richard Harris Award from the British Independent Film Awards (2005)

• British Film Institute Fellowship (2020)

• Mary Pickford Award from the International Press Academy (2020)

• FIAF Award (2022) for their work in film preservation

Nominations:

Swinton has received multiple nominations for Golden Globe Awards, Satellite Awards and London Critics Circle Film Awards.

Philanthropic Work:

Swinton is known for promoting independent cinema and supporting emerging filmmakers. They have been involved in initiatives to support mobile cinemas in Scotland and are an advocate for film restoration and preservation.

Key Quotes / Catchphrases:

• "I don't have a career; I have a life."

• "I do like not knowing where I'm going, wandering in strange woods, whistling and following bread crumbs."

• "The thing that keeps me being a performer is my interest in society's obsession with identity, because I'm not sure that I really believe identity exists."

• "Art is good for my soul precisely because it reminds me that we have souls in the first place."

• "It's a real comfort zone for me to feel alien."

• "Doubt, to me anyway, is what makes you human, and without doubt even the righteous lose their grip not only on reality but also on their humanity."

• "I never quite understand the way society decides who is beautiful and who is not. But an open face and a capacity for kindness always feel like reliable signifiers to me."

Multimedia:

Gallery: