Denzil Smith is an Indian Actor and Producer.
Wiki/Biography
Denzil Smith was born on 6 November 1960 (58 years old; age in 2018) in Mumbai. Denzil has acted in over 50 films. Before entering the glamorous world, Smith worked in the corporate sector. He made his debut as a film executive under Alyque Padamsee. He has received voice training from the National Performing Arts Center. His appearance in the play “Les Liaisons Dangereuse” was important in establishing his career as a theater artist. Denzil Smith has also worked in several Bollywood, Hollywood and regional language films. Apart from being an actor, Denzil is also a lawyer and producer.
Physical appearance
- Hair Color: Salt and pepper
- Voice Character: Confident/ Strong/Serious
Family & Religion
Denzil Smith was born into an Anglo-Indian family to Benjamin John Smith, a civil servant, and Kathleen Maude Shepherd. He has two siblings; a sister, Cheryl Roy Smith, and a younger brother Lionel Smith. Lionel Smith lives in Dubai. His father died when he was eleven years old.
childhood photos of Denzil Smith with his family
Denzil Smith (right) with his mother and brother, Lionel Smith (Left)
Denzil Smith (far left) with his mother (second from left), sister Cheryl Roy Smith (second from right) and brother Lionel Smith (far right)
Denzil Smith is married to Carissa Hickling who works at Seimens.
Denzil Smith with his wife -Carissa Hickling
Career
Denzil Smith completed his schooling from St. Andrews, Bandra. He is a post graduate in English Literature from RD National College, Bandra. He received vocal training from the National Center for Performing Arts, Mumbai. Before he became an actor, Smith worked in an advertising company. He started acting when he was still in school. He acted in his first play, “Son of Man” by Dennis Potter, when he was 15 years old. To establish himself as an actor, he quit his job and started working as a film executive under actor, Alyque Padamsee.
Alyque Padamsee
He made his debut in the theater with the play “Man Friday” by Adrian Mitchell. Smith came into limelight with Pearl Padamsee’s “Les Liaisons Dangereuse” where he worked with Ratna Pathak and Naseeruddin Shah. After his performance in the play, he joined Naseeruddin Shah’s theater group. He is also a part of Lilette Dubey’s theater group. Smith has also appeared in the musical production “The Merchants of Bollywood” and the dance musical “Taj Express.” Apart from acting in theater plays, Denzil has hosted plays at “Celebrate Bandra.” Denzil was also part of “Joseph & The Technicolor Dreamcoat,” directed by Carl Mendes which was a huge hit in Bombay in 1977-78.
Denzil Smith during the drama
One of the films that helped shape her acting career was 2002’s “Mango Souffle.” However, her debut came in 2001 with the film “Pyaar, Ishq Aur Mohabbat.” Smith also appeared in Paap (2003) and Frozen (2007).
Denzil Smith in Paap (2003)
Denzil Smith has also worked in several independent films such as Shobhayatra (2004), The Memsahib (2006), Mumbai Salsa (2007), The Lunchbox (2013), etc. In 2019, he appeared in “Photograph” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Denzil Smith in “The Lunchbox”
Apart from appearing in several Bollywood projects, Smith has also worked in many Hollywood Movies such as “One Night With The King” (2007), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015), and ” Brahman Naman ” (2016). One of his most critically acclaimed Hollywood performances was the 2017 release “Viceroy’s House” in which he played the role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Denzil Smith in “Viceroy’s House”
Denzil has appeared in many Indian and International TV Series. He acted in “The Sword Of Tipu Sultan” (1990), “Time Bomb 9/11” (2005), “Hansa: A Love Story,” “Rishtey,” “CID,” Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin” among others. He has appeared in web series as well like “Made in Heaven” (2019), “Delhi Crime” (2019), & “Mind The Malhotras” (2019).
Denzil Smith in “Mind The Malhotras”
Denzil often lends his voice to documentaries, radio shows, and commercials. He is usually roped in for dubbing various English films in Hindi. Apart from that, he has also done several dubbings.
Just because of Denzil Smith’s love for Jazz Music, he is seen as the host of various music festivals and other events. Smith is credited with organizing a jazz tribute concert in conjunction with International Jazz Day. He is also associated with various charities.
Besides being a full-time theater, voice-over artist and film actor, Denzil also manages his production house- “Stagesmith Productions,” which he founded in 2006.
Award
Denzil Smith won the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role (2017) for his role in “POW Bandi Yuddh Ke” (2016-17).
Favorite Things
- Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Pearl Padamsee, The Late Pandit Satyadev Dubey, Carl Mendes
- Books: The Book of Chocolate Saints by Jeet Thayil, “City Adrift” by Naresh Fernandes
- Quote: “We’re all born crazy. Some stay that way!” S. Becket
Facts
- He smokes and also drinks alcohol.
- Denzil Smith’s father is quite fond of music. His father is not only a singer but also plays various instruments such as accordion, violin, piano and ukelele. Denzil inherited a love of art, music and theater from his father. His father sang with the Paranjyoti Chorus and was also an amateur theater artist. Denzil often accompanied his father to his music and play rehearsals; and was fascinated when his father performed in a play called “The Monkeys Paw.”
- Hollywood actor Ben Kingsley congratulated her for her performance in the drama “Letters to A Daughter from Prison.”
- Smith’s character ‘Lucky’ in Beckett’s “Waiting For Godot” is his most memorable character.
- He considers actor Naseeruddin Shah as his teacher and mentor.
- For his role as Muhammad Ali Jinnah in “Viceroy’s House,” he lost 14 and a half Kg in 40 days.
- His plays are not only staged in India but also in North America, UK and Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
- He is quite good friends with theater personality- Arif Zakaria.
Denzil Smith and Arif Zakaria
- Because of his name and looks, he was often offered the role of an Englishman in Hindi Films but he turned it down.
- He considers theater therapeutic for him.
- When Smith was in college, he used to watch 28 Hollywood Movies in a month.
- He was inspired by Jack Nicholson, Lawrence Olivier, Woody Allen, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino.
- In her spare time, she likes to do arts and crafts.
- Denzil is also proficient in Urdu, Konkani, and Marathi.
- Besides acting, he can also play guitar, sing, and dance (ballroom & jive).
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
