Samuel West / Biography

Son of Timothy West and Prunella Scales.
Hobbies include cooking, gardening, poker, and traveling. Collects stamps and board games.
Brother of Joseph West, half-brother of Juliet West.
Attended Oxford 1985-1988. BA honors English literature.
His mother Prunella Scales starred in the vastly popular British comedy series "Fawlty Towers" (1975) with John Cleese. Sam once said that in his teens he used to frequent the set and that Mr Cleese would ask him if he had any good ideas for insults to put into the show.
He is a highly respected Shakespearean actor who has played both Richard II and Hamlet for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
He was awarded the John and Wendy Trewin Award for Best Shakespearian Performance at the 2001 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama) for his performance in Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theatre.
Succeeded Michael Grandage as artistic director of Sheffield Theatres in 2005.
Resigned as artistic director of Sheffield Theatres in December 2006, will leave role in April 2007.