Raised in Wales and East Africa; returned to England at age nine

Reportedly saw first play "Oedipus Rex" at age 11

Acted in school plays at Truro School (date approximate)

Worked as a teacher for one year after graduating from university

Decided to pursue an acting career; enrolled at RADA

Debuted as a regular on the British TV series "Budgie"

Garnered attention for his performance as Sebastian in "The Tempest" on the London stage

Film debut in small role of a policeman in "The Black Windmill"

Had featured role in the acclaimed British series "I, Claudius"

Spent two seasons with the Royal Shakespeare Company

American TV-movie debut, the ABC drama "The Nativity"

Received Emmy nomination for his supporting performance in the NBC mininseries "Shogun"

Breakthrough feature role as Sallah in Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

Was a regular on the ABC series "The Quest"

Portrayed Egyptian President Nasser in "Sadat" (syndicated)

Co-starred as a Russian general in the 007 film "The Living Daylights"

Played Sammy Mutterperl in the ABC miniseries "War and Remembrance"

Reprised role of Sallah in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"

Screenwriting debut, "Tusks"; also starred

Voiced the character of Hugo in the animated series "The Legend of Prince Valiant"

Appeared in the syndicated series "The Untouchables"

Co-starred in the Fox sci-fi series "Sliders"

Cast as Mustafa in the short-lived ABC sitcom "Your Wish"

Portrayed Leonardo Da Vinci in a two-part episode of the UPN series "Star Trek: Voyager"

Appeared as Gimli in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"

Reprised Gimli and voiced a tree creature in "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers"

Repised his role as Gimli for the third and final "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"

Cast in "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" directed by Gary Marshall

Starred in "The Game of Their Lives" based on the true story of the 1950 US soccer team who, against all odds, beat England in the small town of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Cast as Merrick, the court sorcerer in Uwe Boll's "Dungeon Siege"