Born Krishna Bhanji in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, of a Kenyan-born father of Indian descent who was a physician and an English mother who was a fashion model. He derived his stage name from his grandfather's nickname "Clothes King;" his grandfather was a plantation owner who exported clothes. Meticulous and accomplished stage performer who also appeared on television. His first film role was in FEAR IS THE KEY (1972), but he first earned attention on film with the title role in GANDHI (1982). Dividing his time between the screen and stage, Kingsley has appeared in several highly polished, literate productions. He is among the foremost interpreters of the work of Harold Pinter, whether his plays (BETRAYAL, 1983) or his screenplays (TURTLE DIARY, 1985). His other notable (non-nominated) screen credits include MAURICE (1987), WITHOUT A CLUE (1988), SLIPSTREAM (1989), THE CHILDREN (1990), SNEAKERS (1992), DAVE, SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISCHER and SCHINDLER'S LIST (all 1993), DEATH AND THE MAIDEN (1994), SPECIES (1995), TWELFTH NIGHT OR WHAT YOU WILL (1996), THE ASSIGNMENT and PHOTOGRAPHING FAIRIES (both 1997), PARTING SHOTS (1998), THE CONFESSION (1999), WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (both 2000), THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE (2001), TUCK EVERLASTING (2002), THUNDERBIRDS, SUSPECT ZERO (both 2004), A SOUND OF THUNDER, OLIVER TWIST and BLOODRAYNE (all 2005), LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN (2006), YOU KILL ME, THE LAST LEGION, WAR, INC., and ELEGY (all 2007), TRANSSIBERIAN, THE WACKNESS, THE LOVE GURU and NUMBER 13 (all scheduled for 2008), and GAMBIT (announced for 2009). He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year's Eve Honours List, 2001.  Actor 1982: GANDHI  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 1991: BUGSY  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 2001: SEXY BEAST  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 2003: HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG 4 nominations, 1 Award