Denzil Smith is an Indian actor and producer.
Wiki/Biography
Denzil Smith was born on 6 November 1960 in Mumbai (age 63; 2023). Denzil has appeared in more than 50 films. Before entering the world of glamor, Smith worked in the corporate sector. He made his debut as a film executive under Alyque Padamsee. Received vocal training from the National Center for the Performing Arts. His appearance in the play “Les Liaisons Dangereuse” was crucial in establishing his career as a theater artist. Denzil Smith has also appeared in several Bollywood, Hollywood and regional language films. In addition to being an actor, Denzil is also a host and producer.
appearance
- Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
- Voice characteristics: Confident/Strong/Serious
family and religion
Denzil Smith was born into an Anglo-Indian family, his father was Benjamin John Smith, a civil servant, and his mother was Catherine Maud Shepherd. He has two siblings; sister Cheryl Roy Smith and brother Lionel Smith. Lionel Smith lives in Dubai. When he was eleven, his father died.
Denzil Smith childhood photos with 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 and his wife – Karissa Hicklin
Profession
Denzil Smith attended St. Andrews High School in Bandra. He is a postgraduate student in English Literature from RD National College, Bandra. He received his vocal training at the National Center for the Performing Arts, Mumbai. Before becoming an actor, Smith worked in an advertising agency. He started acting while he was still in school. At the age of 15, he appeared in his first play, Dennis Potter’s Children of Men. To establish himself as an actor, he quit his job and started working as a film executive under actor Alyque Padamsee.
Arik Pardansi
He made his acting debut in Adrian Mitchell’s play Man Friday. Smith came into the limelight with Pearl Padamsee’s drama “Les Liaisons Dangereuse”, in which he collaborated with Ratna Pathak and Naseeruddin Shah. After appearing in the above play, he joined Naseeruddin Shah’s troupe. He is also a member of the Lilette Dubey troupe. Smith also appeared in the musical “Bollywood Merchant” and the dance musical “Taj Express.” In addition to acting in plays, Denzil also organized plays at “Celebrating Bandera”. Denzil also starred in Carl Mendes’ “Joseph & The Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which was a hit in Mumbai in 1977-78.
Denzil Smith in action
Mango Soufflé, released in 2002, was one of the films that helped shape his acting career. However, his debut was with the 2001 film Pyaar, Ishq Aur Mohabbat. Smith also appeared in “Paap” (2003) and “Frozen” (2007).
Denzil Smith, “Pap” (2003)
Denzil Smith has also appeared in several independent films such as “Shobhayatra” (2004), “The Memsahib” (2006), “Mumbai Salsa” (2007), “The Lunchbox” (2013), etc. In 2019, he starred in Photograph which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
Denzil Smith “The Lunchbox”
In addition to appearing in many Bollywood projects, Smith has worked in many Hollywood films such as “A 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 significant Hollywood performances was in 2017’s “Government”, in which he played Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Denzil Smith in “Governor’s Palace”
Denzil has appeared in many Indian and international television series. He has appeared in “The Sword of Tipu Sultan” (1990), “Time Bomb 9/11” (2005), “Hansa: A Love Story”, “Rishtey”, “CID”, “Jassi Jaisi Koi Nahin”, etc. He has also appeared in web series like Made in Heaven (2019), Delhi Crime (2019) and Remembering Malhotra (2019).
Denzil Smith, “Beware Malhotra”
Denzil frequently provides voices for documentaries, radio programs, and commercials. He is often asked to dub various English films in Hindi. In addition, he has also dubbed for many works.
It is because of Denzil Smith’s love for jazz music that he is considered a presenter at various music festivals and other events. Smith is credited with hosting a jazz tribute concert on International Jazz Day. He is also associated with various charities.
In addition to being a full-time theater, voice-over artist and film actor, Denzil also manages Stagesmith Productions, a production company he founded in 2006.
prize
Denzil Smith won the Indian Television Academy Award for Best Negative Actor (2017) for his performance in POW Bandi Yuddh Ke (2016-17).
favorite thing
- Starring: Naseeruddin Shah / Pearl Padanshi / Late Pandit Satyadev Dubey / Karl Mendes
- Books: The Book of Chocolate Saints by Jeet Thayil, Urban Drifting by Naresh Fernandes
- Quote: “We are all born crazy. Some still are!” Beckett
fact
- He smokes and drinks.
- Denzil Smith’s father was passionate about music. His father was not only a singer but also played various instruments such as accordion, violin, piano and ukulele. Denzil inherited his love of art, music and theater from his father. His father was a member of the Paranjyoti Chorus and an amateur theater artist. Denzil often accompanied his father to listen to music and rehearse. When his father performed a play called “The Monkey’s Paw,” he was mesmerized.
- Hollywood actor Ben Kingsley congratulated him on his performance in the play “Letter to a Daughter in Prison”.
- Smith’s role as “Lucky” in Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is his most memorable role.
- He considers actor Naseeruddin Shah as his mentor and mentor.
- He lost 14 and a half kilograms in 40 days for his role as Mohammad Ali Jinnah in “Governor’s House”.
- His plays were performed not only in India but also in North America, England and Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia.
- He was good friends with theater personality Arif Zakaria.
Denzil Smith and Arif Zakaria
- Because of his name and looks, he was often offered to play British roles in Hindi films, but he turned them down.
- He believes that theater has a therapeutic effect on him.
- When Smith was in college, he once watched 28 Hollywood movies a month.
- His inspirations come from Jack Nicholson, Laurence Olivier, Woody Allen, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino.
- In his free time, he enjoys doing arts and crafts.
- Denzil is also fluent in Urdu, Konkani and Marathi.
- In addition to acting, he can also play guitar, sing and dance (balloon and jive).
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education