Hugh Richard Bonniwell Williams, known professionally as Hugh Bonneville, is a distinguished English actor born on 10 November 1963. He is best recognized for his portrayal of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in the ITV historical drama Downton Abbey (2010–2015), a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination, two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Bonneville reprised this iconic role in the Downton Abbey films (2019 and 2022). Beyond Downton Abbey, his notable film credits include Notting Hill (1999), Iris (2001), and The Monuments Men (2014), as well as the Paddington films (2014–present), where he plays Henry Brown.

Bonneville’s versatility extends to television, where he garnered critical acclaim for his performances in Twenty Twelve (2011–2012) and W1A (2014–2017), portraying the character of Ian Fletcher. For Iris, he earned a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. His remarkable career in both comedic and dramatic roles has established him as one of the most respected British actors of his generation, with a rich body of work spanning across television, film, and stage.