Mark Strong

If a slap don't work, you cut 'em or you pay 'em, but you keep your receipts, cos this ain't the Mafia. - Archy

British actor Mark Strong is especially known for his villainous performances — such as Prince Septimus in Stardust or Lord Blackwood in Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes — though he has been playing the Knight in Shining Armor, a morally gray hitman, and pretty much everything in between as well. See (incomplete) list below.

If Guy Ritchie is working on a new project, it is safe to say that he at least considers his friend for a part in it.

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• John Carter (2012) - Matai Shang
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (2011) - Captain Titus
• The Guard (2011) - Clive Cornell
• Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) - Jim Prideaux
• Green Lantern (2011) - Thaal Sinestro
• The Borrower Arrietty (UK-dub 2011) - Pod
• The Eagle (2011) - Guern
• The Way Back (2011) - Khabarov
• Robin Hood (2010) - Godfrey
• Kick-Ass (2010) - Frank D'Amico
• Sherlock Holmes (2009) - Lord Henry Blackwood
• The Young Victoria (2009) - Sir John Conroy
• Body of Lies (2008) - Hani
• RocknRolla (2008) - Archy
• Babylon A.D. (2008) - Finn
• Flashbacks of a Fool (2008) - Mannie Miesel
• Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) - Nick Cordorelli
• Stardust (2007) - Septimus
• Sunshine (2007) - Pinbacker
• Tristan & Isolde (2006) - Wicktred
• Syriana (2005) - Mussawi
• Revolver (2005) - Sorter
• The Long Firm (2004) - Harry Starks
• Sunshine (1999) - István Sors
• Fever Pitch (1997) - Steve
• Emma (1996) - Mr. Knightley

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tropes associated with him / his work provides examples of:

• Ambiguously Tanned: This Austro-Italian Englishman has portrayed Jordanian and Lebanese men.
• Badass Baritone: All he needs is an echo-y place to sound (even more) intimidating.
• Bald of Awesome: Mark Strong in real life. He even said in a few interviews that losing his hair helped transition him from one-note lovers into the juicier villainous roles.
• Berserk Button: You really don't want to find out how Septimus reacts to treason ... or being mocked. You wouldn't want to try it on Archy, either. And don't lie to Hani - might cost you a finger. Or two.
• Bilingual Bonus: Mark Strong speaks fluently German due to his Austrian mother. You can hear an example here at 2:07.
  • Evidently some Italian too
• Complete Monster: The villains he played are usually this.
• Cute Kitten: In Low Winter Sun (2006), when Frank Agnew goes into Geddes apartment, a cat is randomly there for no other reason than to get a shot of Mark Strong holding a cat.
• Mean Character, Nice Actor: He plays many villains, but he's super nice, and humble in real life.
• Sharp-Dressed Man: Mark Strong at pretty much any film premiere he attends.
• Smoking Is Cool: A few of his characters fall under here, but particular notice goes to Dr. Neil Barnard from Endgame (2009), who snaps the filters off his cigarettes before lighting up.
• What Beautiful Eyes!: There are many, many shots in Low Winter Sun (2006) of Frank just staring intently at something. They are especially noticeable here, here, and here.