(1960-)

Who Is Tilda Swinton?

Tilda Swinton was born on November 5, 1960, in London, England. A childhood classmate and friend to Lady Diana, she graduated from Cambridge University in 1983. After performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Swinton made her film debut in Derek Jarman’s Caravaggio. She later earned an Academy Award (best supporting actress) for her role in Michael Clayton.

Early Life

Swinton was born Katherine Matilda Swinton on November 5, 1960, in London, England. The daughter of a major general in the Scots Guard, Swinton attended the exclusive West Heath Girls School in Kent, England, where she was classmate and friend to Lady Diana Spencer, better known as Princess Diana. In 1983, she graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Social and Political Science, but her interest was in acting.

Film Career

Swinton began her career in theater, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and transitioning to less mainstream productions before finding her way to film. Her big screen debut arrived in Derek Jarman’s Caravaggio in 1986. She completed two more films for Jarman, 1988’s The Last of England and 1990’s The Garden, before garnering international recognition for her portrayal of Queen Isabella in Edward II (1991).

Critically Acclaimed Avant Garde Films

Swinton continued to pursue avante garde films throughout her career to great acclaim, including 1992’s Orlando, 1996’s Female Perversions, 2001’s The Deep End and 2004’s Thumbsucker. Despite her draw to independent art house films, Swinton has worked on several commercial projects, including The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) and 2007’s much-lauded thriller Michael Clayton. Swinton earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her turn as a CEO in the midst of a moral breakdown in the latter.

Personal Life

Swinton lives with her partner Sandro Kupp in Nairn, Scotland. Swinton has two children, twins Honor and Xavier, with Scottish playwright John Byrne.

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QUICK FACTS

• Name: Tilda Swinton
• Birth Year: 1960
• Birth date: November 5, 1960
• Birth City: London
• Birth Country: England
• Gender: Female
• Best Known For: Tilda Swinton is an Oscar-winning British actress known for her arthouse film roles and for acclaimed performances in more mainstream pictures like ‘Michael Clayton.’
• Industries
• Drama
• Theater and Dance
• Art
• Astrological Sign: Scorpio
• Schools
• Cambridge University
• West Heath Girls’ School
• New Hall [now Murray Edwards College]
• Fettes College
• Interesting Facts
• Tilda Swinton attended West Heath Girls School with royalty, having been classmates and friends with Princess Diana.

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CITATION INFORMATION

• Article Title: Tilda Swinton Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
• Website Name: The Biography.com website
• Url: https://www.biography.com/actors/tilda-swinton
• Access Date:
• Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
• Last Updated: April 19, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014